“Do you need a doc or anything?” Another vehement head shake.
“No. Tell him we’re good.”
I turned to Rocket, my arms locked firmly around Glory as she wept and hiccupped against my chest.
“I’m taking her home with me. You guys able to pack up her shit?” Rocket grimaced.
“Like underwear and stuff?” I shot him a withering glare, and he shrugged.
“Okay, fine. I shoulda brought V. She’s a vet.”
I tucked Glory’s face into my neck and stroked her hair.
“What the fuck use is that? It’s only packing? Grow up, dammit.”
He groaned, pushing up from his knees, and smoothing his jeans.
“I mean, she coulda checked your woman over.” My woman. I fucking wished.
“She’s not a pet!”
Rocket groaned, turning to the hotel guy.
“You able to get her checked out on your systems? We’re taking her with us.”
The man hesitated, stepping closer to us, even as Rocket put himself between the stranger and the two of us.
“I… you can’t just take her out of here without her consent! I don’t like this at all.”
I kissed Glory’s hair and lifted my eyes to the young staff guy’s.
“You shouldn’t. Nobody should break a person like this. I’m taking her with me, so I can keep her safe. Glory, babe, can you just confirm that’s okay so this guy doesn’t shit a brick?”
She snorted and nodded her head, latching her arms tightly around my neck, and fuck me, that’s how it feels when you become someone’s saviour. That’s how it feels to save the one you love.
“Good enough, man?”
The guy sighed. “Okay, I’ll go get it sorted. There’s probably an amount to settle.”
“You’ve got my card on file. Nathaniel Hendricks. Just bill me whatever.”
Without even being asked,Stag and Rocket followed us back to my place, offering strength in numbers thatwarmed my heart, but more importantly, I hope it made Glory feel safer. Nobody was getting anywhere near her with us around.
“I’m sorry I didn’t do this sooner. I’m such a dick for leaving you there alone like that.”
I turned off the engine, and grabbed my cut, which had rested on my legs as I drove. I hated it and loved it in equal measure. Hated the fact it was only a prospect cut, but loved that it was my first step toward having a new family.
“We’re here, Glory.”
She nervously lifted her head, having hidden behind her hair for the entire journey. It was like seeing her trauma literally hovering around her.
“At some point you need to talk to me, sweetheart. I’m not going to judge you, but I will judge the fuck out of him.”
She gasped, shaking her head as she unlatched her seatbelt with trembling fingers, her broken soul evident in every fucking thing she did. The thoughts of what he did to make her like this were torturing me, because she’d been with him for years. She had years of whatever the fuck he’d done to her. Something had finally pushed her to leave, and I had no idea what it was, but I’d always be grateful for that step she took, with such fucking courage.
“I’ll get your door.”
I reached it in a few strides, and pulled it open, offering her a hand to get out, which she gratefully took. Rocket reached into the back of the car and grabbed her backpack, offering it out to her from the full stretch of his arms, like he was afraid of scaring her. I took it and nodded at him.