Page 33 of Choosing Skyler

Before he can grab me again, I’m off the desk and running to the door yelling, “Brady! Devon! The door, now!”

He catches me just as my hand wraps around the doorknob. He snatches me back, but not before I get the doorknob turned and Brady and Devon come barreling into the office. They freeze when they realize he’s got me pinned to this chest with his hand around my throat,again.

Brady

Devon and I are already pushing when the doorknob turns, and we practically fall into the office. Standing up straight, we both freeze at the sight of Dirk with his hand around Skyler’s throat. Her eyes are blood red, and she has blood on her mouth. I look her over and I’m relieved to see her still completely dressed. Then, I notice thathisshorts are pushed down to the bottom of his hips, and I lose it. I charge him. Devon is right behind me, catching Skyler as I snap Dirk’s arm away from her throat.

I take him down and notice his bloody dick hanging limp, still out of his pants. My first thought is her virginity, but there’s no way she pulled her pants up before running to open the door. Then, I remember his shout and the blood on her mouth.She bit him. My girl is a fighter.

Too bad for Dirk, his day is about to get a whole lot worse. I pull his arm back in a full arm bar. He screams and fights, but I just keep pulling until I hear the snap. Then, I get him under me in an attempt to pound his face through the back of his skull. But as soon as I draw back, I’m grabbed under my arms. I look back to see two police officers pulling me back off of Dirk.

I start to fight them until I hear Devon’s shout. “Stop, Brady! Skyler needs you.”

That stops me cold, and I turn my head to see Skyler fighting Devon’s hold, trying to get to me.

“You done, son?” the older officer asks, struggling to keep his hold on me.

“I’m done, just let me go to her, please,” I practically beg.

He nods at the other officer, and they release me just as Devon lets Skyler go. She falls into my arms, gasping for air.

I wrap her in my arms and lean down to whisper in her ear. “Shh, I’m right here. I’ve got you. I choose you. He’s not worth my time or yours. Breath with me, Beautiful. Stay with me. You’re safe. I’ve got you. You fought. You did so good,” I praise her, hoping to get past the new demons in her mind. “I’m so proud of you. Breathe with me. I’ve got you.”

She relaxes against me and passes out cold in my arms. I carry her to the ambulance outside and climb in to ride to the hospital with her. The paramedics try to stop me, asking if I’m family.

Devon steps up behind me, telling them, “I’m listed as her emergency contact. We’re her family.”

Whatever they see on our faces must tell them we’re not leaving her, because they close the doors and start the trip to Thorngrove University Hospital.

Chapter 14

Skyler

I wake up confused. I’m lying down but I feel like I’m moving backwards and there’s something around my neck. I can’t move my head.Just like when I was being slid across Chelsea’s desk by Dirk’s hand around my throat.I start to panic and fight to get away from the hand on my arm.

“Whoa, Beautiful. You’re safe. Calm down and let her help you.” I hear Brady’s voice from beside me.

I try to look around, but I can’t move my head. Then, I realize that I’m in an ambulance.

“We’re right here, Sweets. We’ve got you,” Devon says from same direction as Brady.

The paramedic on my other side is holding my arm as she smiles sadly down at me.

“Don’t try to speak, honey. We don’t know if there’s any internal damage to your throat. We’ve got your neck immobilized in case of any spinal damage. I need to start an IV and get you some medication for pain and anxiety. Just blink once for yes if you understand, okay?” she asks.

I blink once and stop struggling. I feel the prick of the needle and try to breathe as she sets up the IV and hangs a bag of fluids before injecting two syringes directly into the IV. I try again to look towards Brady and Devon. When I can’t see them, I reach out with my hand. It’s wrapped in a large warm hand and our fingers are laced together before I lose consciousness again.Brady.

Brady

They finally get Skyler into her own hospital room around four o’clock. Devon and I have been constantly updated about the tests and results throughout the day. Thank God Devon is listed as her medical proxy. Otherwise, we would have to involve her parents and Devon assures me that would be the worst idea. She listed him as her emergency contact two years ago with strict orders never to contact them.

Tracey and Chelsea came barreling into the waiting room shortly after Skyler was taken into the trauma unit for assessment. They wouldn’t let us stay with her at the time and it almost took security to drag me away from her. Devon introduced me to Chelsea and her daughter, Tracey who is apparently Skyler’s second closest friend—and Dirk’s cousin. They’ve been with us all day and assured us that they are here for Skyler, NOT Dirk.

Now that she’s finally in her own room, we are all gathered around a sleeping Skyler, talking quietly.

“I’m so sorry this happened to her. I feel like it’s my fault. It happened to her inmyshop, behind my locked office door and by my own nephew. How will she ever forgive me?” Chelsea says through tears.

“Mom, stop. You know Skyler. She would never blame you for this. This is onDirkand no one else. Remember what Granddaddy used to say? ‘Blood doesn’t make family. Bonds do.’ Skyler is like a sister to me and a daughter to you. Right, Devon?” Tracey looks to Devon for confirmation.

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