“I love you so much.” I whispered as I held her close. She just sank into me further and quietly sobbed, obviously needing the release.
I looked to my brothers who all surrounded us, seeing the mix of relief, worry and anger that I also felt, on each of their faces. Rob stood off to the side talking with two uniformed offices, watching us all closely, always the protector.
We could all hear him arguing that there was no way Hailey or Liv were up to talking to them yet. Rob made it clear neither of them would be talking to anyone until they had been to the hospital and received care for their injuries. I’d never been so fucking grateful for my boss’s gruff, but authorative demeanor than when the unofrms gave in and agreed they’d take statements at the hospital.
“What did the EMT’s say? They checked her over?” I asked quietly, as I looked over to Matt.
“They want to take her in for x-rays on her ribs. Other than that, it’s just cuts and some bad bruising. They mentioned she may have a concussion, but weren’t too worried. She doesn’t want to go to the hospital though.” Matt explained, clearly worried.
“And Hailey?” Kade asked.
“She wouldn’t let them touch her really, but from what they could see, she just has superficial injuries; a few bruises and some partially healed cuts. She has some respiratory trouble though, and will need to go to the hospital for tests and antibiotics.” I looked over to where the little girl and her parents were still holding each other, her parents partially listening to Matt as he spoke.
“And the bastard who held them?” Cole growled.
“Dead. Shot through the head.” That surprised me. Shot? As if she sensed the way we all looked to her with shock, Livy looked up to me and took a deep breath.
“It wasn’t me.” She squeaked emotionally. “Someone….i don’t know who…..they smashed the door down and just…..just shot him. He f-fell on top of me and there was s-so much blood.”
“Who Livy? Did you see their face?” Kade asked gently. She turned to look at him and took a cleansing breath. I was so fucking proud of how brave she was trying to be.
“No. By the time I got the body o-off of me and turned…..they were gone. I didn’t see who it was.” She replied.
“But they didn’t try to hurt you, or Hailey?” Kade pushed.
“No. It was like I wasn’t even there….and Hailey….I already got her out.”
“Do you know which way they went when they fled?”
Liv moved around in my arms, looking around us, then pointed out a trail of large footprints in the snow, which headed into the forest.
“There. Those footprints.” She pointed.
“I’ll be right back.” Kade said, then he hurried off to tell the uniforms what Olivia had given him.
Who the hell had known where that sick sonofabitch had been holed up? Someone obviously had though, which meant they likely knew what he was up to and did nothing up until that point to stop it. Kade’s idea of The Shadow having a cop accomplice ran through my mind and had me gritting my teeth in anger. Whoever it was that ended that monster, we needed to find out and make damned sure they weren’t a threat to Olivia. There was no way I would ever let her life be put at risk ever again. We had failed her twice now, and we needed to make damn sure it never happened again.
“We should get you to the hospital Cariña, get you checked over.” Matt suggested when Liv just sank back into me and hid her face again.
She remained still and silent for a few moments, and I was just so damned grateful to have her in my arms once again.
When she did lift her head she seemed a little calmer, her tears having stopped.
“I d-don’t need a hospital. I’m ok. Please….just get me out of here though. I just want to feel safe again.” She pleaded.
“The EMT said you need x-rays, Cariña. We’ll come with you and be there the whole time.” Matt offered, but Liv was already shaking her head.
“My ribs are fine. They’re not br-broken. I’d know. Please….I can’t face that right now.”
“We can have Xander check her over.” I conceded, hating to see her so scared and upset. Considering her state of mind, and the hell she’d been through the last time she was in a hospital, I didn’t think it was the best idea for her. “But if Xander agrees you need hospital care, then we will have to take you, Baby.”
“Ok.” She agreed. “Is Hailey going to be ok?”
“She seems settled with her parents for now. They’ll get her to the ER, and we can check in when you’ve had some rest.”
“She’s alive, thanks to you Livy. Everything else will heal in time.” Kade added as he approached and ran a hand down Liv’s back.
“Come on. Mom, Dad and Xander are on their way. We’re going to book a suite at a hotel in Mount Vernon for the night so we can get you taken care of and cleaned up, Love. If Xander says you’re up to it, we’ll head home once you’ve eaten and slept a little.” Kade explained.
“I’d rather just go home.” Livy argued.
“I know, but that’s a good four hour drive, and you’re in no condition right now. Just let us take care of you, and I promise, we’ll get you home really soon, ok?”
“He’s right, Princess. If you won’t go to the hospital then this is the best compromise. We’ll all be with you.”
“No matter where we go, we’re going to keep you safe Livy.”
