“Can Collin stay?” I didn’t want to be alone, but I knew what I had to say to the doctor was too much for my father to hear.
“Of course I can, babe.” Collin’s husky voice was music to my ears.
When the door shut, I started bawling.
“What is it, Low?” Collin asked. I could feel his weight sink the side of the bed down.
I shook my head. I couldn’t get the words out.
Collin gripped my hand before speaking to Kae in a hushed voice. “I think you need to do a rape kit.”
Tears ran down my face as I nodded. “I don’t know how many,” I wept. “They kept me blindfolded the entire time.”
“I can do that.” Kae started to dig in her bag.
“Can this all just be a bad dream?” I begged as I intertwined my fingers with Collin’s.
Collin kissed my cheek. “Of course it can. It’s over now and you’ll be back on your feet in no time, baby. No one ever has to know.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Don’t leave me,” I pleaded.
“I’m never leaving your side again.”
Collin
I satby Harlow’s side while the doctor completed her exam and did her best to stitch up Harlow’s lip. As she drifted off to sleep again, I followed the doctor out into the living room where all the guys were waiting to get an answer.
“She’s pretty banged up. I’ll leave some pain meds for her along with antibiotics. She’s a strong woman. I haven’t seen a beating like that in a very long time.” Kae left two prescription bottles on the coffee table.
“But she’s going to be all right?” Blaz choked out, wiping his eyes.
Kae put her hand on his shoulder. “Plenty of bed rest and these meds will have her good as new in about a week or so. She’ll need to take it easy and shouldn’t drive while she’s taking these, but all in all, your little girl is going to be just fine.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Blaz handed her a stack of cash.
Turning to me, Kae cocked her head to the side. “See me out?”
“Sure.” I followed the doc to her car.
“I didn’t find any fluids, so the guys must have used protection. That’s a very good thing. But, needless to say, that girl is going to need a lot of support to get over this. Are you prepared for that?”
I let out a weighted sigh. “I’ll do anything for that woman.”
She offered a kind smile. “Good.” Handing me her card, she added, “Call me with any questions. I’ll come back if need be.”
“Thank you.”
I shut her car door behind her and waved as she pulled out onto the dirt road.
“Everything all right?” Blaz called down from the front porch.
“She just wanted to make sure Harlow had her card if she needs it,” I answered, making my way up the front steps.
“Thank you, son.” He pulled me into a hug.