Jenna grabbed my arm and gagged again, kicking me into action.
I smoothed my other hand over her forehead and hair. Spots that didn’t look injured. “Open your mouth, Firefly. Let me see if there’s anything else.”
She clamped her mouth shut and shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
“Please.”
She opened her mouth and immediately retched. I rolled her to her side and held her in place, smoothing back her hair as she puked with gut-wrenching heaves and sobs. I murmured that I was here and she was safe, but it killed me that there was nothing else I could do. I couldn’t move her yet without knowing if she was physically injured, nor did I know if she’d want to be in my arms right now. Not after...
Penelope draped her turnout coat over Jenna. She startled at the contact, but at least it covered more than Jim’s T-shirt. I motioned for Penelope to back away, but she settled onto the ground behind Jenna instead. “It’s me, Penelope. You’re safe now, Jenna. Liam and I are here with you, and we’re not going anywhere.”
It felt like hours, but was probably only minutes later, when the body-wracking heaves became full-body shakes and Jenna gulped for breath. The only slightly good thing was that by the time Jenna seemed aware again, the asshole had already been read his rights and taken out. He’d started to say something toher, but it was cut off with a grunt, and she didn’t seem to notice. More cops had been in and out too, but with Snake Eyes gone, and Jenna here with me, I only gave them a quick notice.
“That’s it, Firefly. You’re safe now. Breathe with me, nice and easy.” She dragged in a shaky breath and closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks, and I quickly swiped at my own tears. “I’m here, Firefly, and you’re safe.”
She looked up and held my gaze, breathing with me, and then, in the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen, her lips turned up with a hint of a smile. “I didn’t freeze. I hit him with pliers.”
The vise-like pressure on my heart eased a bit. I should’ve known she was stronger than anything he could do to her. “You were amazing, Firefly. I saw it, a huge gash right on his temple.”
“Save the sock. He raped that girl in the park. It has—” she broke off with a whimper. “It has…evidence on it.”
What the fuck? Did that mean what I thought it did? “Firefly…”
“I’m okay.”
I blinked hard, fighting back my tears. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.”
Jenna reached for me, but she winced before she made contact. I grabbed her hand, and gently lowered it back to her side, keeping hold of her.
“Liam, you?—”
“Where does it hurt?” I wasn’t letting her waste her energy with false reassurances I didn’t deserve.
“My shoulders.”
“Where else?” I braced for her answer. I still had no idea what injuries were hidden under the T-shirt and Penelope’s coat. All I knew was she was naked under there.
“N-Nothing too bad. He didn’t... You got here in time.”
Relief swept through me. I closed my eyes, letting my head drop down over her for a quick moment. Thank God. I had nodoubt she was understating everything, but at least she wasn’t seriously injured. I’d help her work through all the rest.
“Did you pull down that ladder? Was that the crash I heard?”
She nodded.
“So smart. You bought yourself time and led me right to you.”
“Liam?”
“Yeah, Firefly?”
“I’m…my clothes, they aren’t on. But I really want to get up.”
I looked over at Penelope. “Is an ambulance ready?”
Jenna shook her head and squeezed my hand. “No, I’m okay. I just want to go home with you. To your house.” Her face crumpled. “Not mine. And not the hospital. Too many people.”
“I’m sorry, but we need to get you checked out. I’ll be with you the entire time.”