Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Not sure there’s any woman who can make that happen.” He winks, jumping into the passenger side.
“Her house looks relatively normal. Nothing seemed out of place. The door is damaged, but Ginger explained she did that trying to get inside. Talked to the paramedics and there isn’t anything there,” Rich explains.
I glare through the small window into the hospital room where Jewls, Harley, Shayla, Ginger, and Amanda surround the bed. Rowan lays there, looking frail and defeated, her face a mixture of yellow, purple, and blue bruises.
Since we arrived an hour ago, she’s only shown emotion once. When the doctor relayed that the rape kit came back negative, she slumped in relief, a single tear running down her cheek.
“I have the chart.” Ford stops beside me, Ace and Talon crowding in.
This is the first time I’ve seen Ford since arriving, and it’s impossible to miss the rage emitting from him. The vein in his forehead ticks, and his jaw locks as he flips through the papers on the clipboard.
Fractured wrist, bruised ribs, split lips, blackened eyes, bruised jawline, lacerations on her cheek and neck.
“Do I want to know where you nicked that chart?” Rich asks, his eyes lit with approval.
“Nope,” Ford clips. We had little luck getting information from the staff since we aren’t immediate family. There were many unknowns, and Rowan wasn’t ready to talk, so it wasn’t officially a case. Ford took matters into his own hands, I assume using his badge.
Harley slips out of the room, her face a mask of grief. “Who beats the hell out of a hundred-and-twenty-pound woman who’s basically defenseless?”
“We’ll find him.” Ace’s voice is loaded with fury.
“Has she said anything?” I ask, hoping the women have helped get her to the point. She has spoken little since she woke up, choosing to give a simple nod or shake of the head. The nurse explained her jaw is likely causing major pain.
“I think she’s ready to talk. Jewls said you have her bag?” Harley eyes me.
I grab it from the chair in the corner, handing it over. After Jewls spoke to her mother, she spent most of the drive working on Rowan. She called it ‘building a file’. Not knowing exactly what we were walking into, Jewls put together resources for all situations. Social services, crisis counseling, support groups—Jewls has it prepared for when the time is right.
“Anyone heard from her parents?” Rich questions.
“Ginger has been in touch. They were in Florida, but should be here soon.”
“I’d suggest Rowan wait for them, but we’ve already lost too much time. See what Jewls can get out of her but don’t push too hard.”
Harley’s face contorts in frustration. “Dad, this is Jewls’ expertise. She has three degrees and works with victims every day.”
“Wasn’t questioning her skills, honey.”
“One of us should be in there,” Ford advises curtly.
“She just had the shit beaten out of her by who I assume was a big and terrifying man. You are all big and terrifying, especially looking as homicidal as you do. For now, we have to have faith in Jewls.” Harley disappears back inside the room.
We’re left to helplessly watch through the small window. I study the slow movement of Rowan’s lips, depending on years of linguistics training. I make out her words at the same time all the ladies’ shoulders sag.
“It wasn’t the ex-boyfriend.”
Ford exhales loudly. “Shit, does that mean home invasion?”
Harley comes back our way, poking her head out. “Achilles, Rowan wants you to come in. But wipe that vicious expression off your face.”
His features soften. “Baby, I’m good.”
They go back in together, Ace walking directly to Rowan and brushing a kiss along her temple. Whatever he says earns him a grin, even though it pains her. She trusts him.
“Man, there’s a lot of shit swirling, but you want to talk about last night?” Talon steps closer.
“Heard you had surprise guests,” Rich adds.
“Unwanted and uninvited guests. Not much to talk about. Put that family in my rear-view mirror a long time ago.”
“Take it you explained to Jewls?”
“She knows everything.”
Ford quirks an eyebrow.
“Everything,” I confirm.
“Well, at least she didn’t turn your ass out,” Talon jokes.
“It wouldn’t have worked if she tried.”
“Jewls is a tough cookie. I don’t know the sordid tale, as Harley puts it, but Julianna Keller isn’t a flight risk. The girl is the epitome of strength,” Rich praises.
“Any more thought on confronting Darla and her motives?” The anger returns to Ford’s voice.
“No.”
He juts his chin in understanding and the subject is closed.
A while later, a frazzled-looking couple charges the nurses’ station. The resemblance to Rowan is undeniable.
They rush our way, the woman clinging to her husband.
“Hotch Ellis and this is my wife, Cass.” He motions between them. “You the cops Ginger told us about?”
We all nod.
“You really badasses?”
“I mean…” Talon shrugs a shoulder confidently.
“Well, I may be implicating myself, but you need to know when you find the son-of-a-bitch that hurt my baby girl, I’m going to kill him.”