Tank (Moonshine Task Force Book 2)(52)

She swallows hard as I start doctoring what I can of her nose. I’m pretty sure it’s not broken, but it’s going to be sore for the next few days. “I want out from under the shadow so bad,” she whispers. “I’m not like them,” the tears come again.

“I know you’re not. You’re a sweet girl who got caught up in a bad situation.”

“They got me arrested,” she sniffles, rubbing softly against the nose that’s still bleeding slightly. “And they didn’t even care. I spent a night in jail, over something that I didn’t even do. My daddy and brother said they did it to teach me a lesson.”

Her eyes widen as she glances at the back of the ambulance. Holden’s standing there, his big arms folded over his chest.

“Before you freak out on me,” I speak softly and calmly to her. “I called him because I know you need help, and if there’s anyone that can help you, honey, it’s Holden.”

“But he’s the one who arrested me.”

He grunts as he enters the back of the ambulance and stalks over to us. He slightly pushes me out of the way as he grasps Leighton by the chin, turning her face to the left and right, taking in the bruises and cuts. His voice is gruff when he speaks. “Not because I wanted to. Did your dad do this to you?”

She nods, biting a trembling bottom lip between her teeth. “I told him I want out – completely. He didn’t like that much.”

His eyes take in the duffle bags laying at her feet. “So you’re running, that’s your grand plan?”

“Best one I had,” her eyes flash and I’m so glad to see irritation amongst the sadness. She’s got some fire in her. “Do you have a better one?”

“Blaze is cleaning you up, and then you’re comin’ with me.” There’s no room for argument with his words.

“Are you okay with that? If you’re not, I have an apartment that’s empty,” I have to give her another option, strong-arming her is acting just like her family.

“She won’t be safe there, and you know it, Blaze. They’re going to come after her. Once they realize she’s truly gone, they’ll come. You know secrets that no one else does,” he locks eyes with Leighton again. “You’re worth a lot to them.”

“What am I worth to you?” She smarts off again, and I can’t help the grin escaping from my lips.

“More than you can probably imagine.”

It feels like an intimate moment between the two of them, and I’m the third wheel. I don’t know how well they know one another, but they obviously have a little bit of a past. I finish cleaning her up and then leave, so they can hash out whatever it is they need to. As I jump out of the back of the ambulance, I see Trevor leaning against a squad car, dressed in his uniform. Which he looks so motherfucking fine in.

“Ahhhh!” I scream as I run toward him. “You did it?”

He picks me up, spinning me around as I laugh, so happy and excited for him, even before I know this answer. He’s in uniform – what’s not happy about this situation?

“I did it!”

His voice sounds so happy, so relieved. I’m happy for him. “So you’re back on shift already?” It seems fast to me.

“Holden told me he was driving out here to meet you and Leighton. When he said your name, I was ready to go.”

I frown. “Leighton’s got a long way to go, and I hope you all can help her.”

“I hope we can, too,” he leans down, kissing me softly before straightening up. His gaze is locked where the ambulance is parked, which lets me know the two of them are probably exiting.

I turn, seeing them walking our way.

“Is there anything you can give her for pain?” Holden holds onto her side as they slowly walk across the parking lot.

“I can’t, but I can place a call to Doc Miller, if you give me a few minutes. She can get you some pain meds and some antibiotics. I don’t think you’d develop an infection from those cuts, but some of them were dirty. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“I’d appreciate it,” he directs her to the back of the squad car, putting her stuff in the trunk.

“Will do, I’ll text you the pickup time Doc Miller gives, if that’s okay with you.”

Trevor leans down, kissing me, before he lets me go, smacking me on the ass. “I’ll see ya at home?”

“You most definitely will.”

As I watch the car full of people take off, I realize I still haven’t had lunch, and I realize exactly how worried I am about Leighton. I hope she can be helped, and I really hope her family doesn’t screw it up for her.





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE




Tank


“Congratulations,” I hear as soon as Blaze comes through the front door.

My heart explodes with happiness as she runs to me, hopping up in my arms. “Thanks babe, I can’t tell you how excited I am.”

“When do you get to start?”

“Tomorrow,” I put her down, smacking my hand against her ass. “I filled out all my paperwork today. I’m good to go back on rotation tomorrow. Renegade and Tank will be burning up those backroads at zero nine hundred. So your lead foot better watch out.”