Walker (Bowen Boys, #1)(3)

“She’s human. The better question is what the hell was she doing on our property with them? We don’t need their kind around here.”

“She wasn’t with them. She was being run down by them. That one had already shot her a couple of times and if’n you had seen her face and body you’d know that you’re barking up the wrong tree.” George lay down on the mattress after being lifted up by Dylan and Khan into the bed. “Wouldn’t be right of us not to help her. She probably saved my hide too. Nearly pissed myself when she showed me that rock.”

Corrine had no idea what he was talking about, but didn’t say anything. The old fool was out of his mind. She started to climb up in the bed with him when Khan pulled her back down.

“You ride inside and I’ll stay with him. My mom won’t be riding in the back like that.”

She wanted to smack him and hug him.

“Please.”

“All right, but you let me know at the first sign of trouble.” She looked at George and felt her heart twist a little, remembering him falling like he had. “He’s stubborn, but I love him.”

“Of course you—” Khan stopped and looked to out toward where she’d sent Walker. “He’s found her. He said she’s weak and has lost a great deal of blood. He said he wants to treat her at the house.”

She waited for what she knew was coming. When he didn’t, she did for him. “And you told him no.”

“We don’t need her kind sniffing around where we live. For all we know, she might have done this so she could get close to us to expose us.”

Corrine didn’t say anything, but hugged him to her. If she thought she could get away with it she’d hunt down that woman who had hurt her son and rip her throat out. But this one needed their help now. The door closed with a hard snap and she looked over at Dylan who was driving. His raised brow said a great deal, but she didn’t give him what he wanted. She didn’t have any answers either.

“Khan said your brother found the girl. Go that way.” She pointed to where Walker was. “We’ll put her beside your dad if we have to. But we’re not leaving her out here in the woods to die alone.”

Dylan nodded and started the truck. Reed sat beside her and he stared out the window. He was still mad and she wanted to comfort him, but knew that he’d not be happy with her if she did. Even though he was her baby, he was a grown man.

It took them ten minutes to get to where Walker was. He was a man now, having shed his panther. But he didn’t look any less dangerous. She watched him pace as they got closer and wondered where the girl was. When they pulled up beside the tree where he was she got out and looked at him. He was more than a little upset.

“They beat her with what appears a whip. She’s been shot three times, one in the shoulder, the left thigh, and once in the right calf. How she got this far is beyond me.” He moved from the tree and Corrine saw her then. He’d covered her with his flannel shirt. “Her heart rate is slow, but she’s strong. Healthy. If we take her to the hospital, we’re going to have to explain what—”

“We are taking her to the hospital. That’s final. I don’t want anyone coming around here and asking questions we don’t have answers for.”

Before she could say anything to Khan, his father did.

“Walker, put her in here. Right here beside me. We’ll take her to our house and help her there.” No one moved. “Walker. Do what I tell you. Khan, move out of the way. You don’t want to help, that’s fine, but you aren’t going to be a hindrance either.”

Corrine moved toward the girl with Reed. They were going to do it even if no one else did. As soon as she saw her, though, she couldn’t move. The girl looked close to dying.

“They did her wrong. I didn’t see any signs of rape, but they hurt her. She smells like them.”

She looked over at her son when he stood beside her.

“I’m going to find them and, when I do, I’m going to kill them slowly for what they did to her.”

Corrine looked back at the girl and wiped away her tears. “Your dad said she saved his life. That she did something to distract them from finding him so they could both run.”

Walker nodded. “I want you to take Dad back to the house and you bring the truck back, please. Then you and I will load her up and take her to the house.”

His voice was low, lower than it had been when he was telling her what he’d found out about her not being raped. She looked at him, wondering why he thought she’d leave his dad over coming out to help this poor little girl. When it occurred to her she could only stare at him with her mouth open.

“Yeah. I didn’t see that one coming either. She can’t ride with Dad and I don’t want to hurt Reed when he helps me lift her.” He put his arm around her and held her close to whisper the rest. “I will hurt him and you know it. Can you please help me with this?”

“Yes. I’ll take your…can I at least tell your father?” He nodded, then shook his head. “Walker?”

“I can’t bring her into this. You have to know that. She’s a human and we’re not even close to being…” He glanced at her then away. “Khan will wish her dead. I can’t have my family torn apart because I suddenly find myself with a mate.”