Page 18 of Killer Moonshine

“She’s dead,” ground out Yaz. “It’s not my problem she came to live with you.”

“You should have kept her happier, Yaz. Good looking woman like that needs special attention, special things a man can give her.”

Yaz wanted to leap across the desk and pummel the other man, but he knew the bodyguard was watching his every move. What he needed to do was get his daughter away from him and everything he touched. If he could find a safe place for her, maybe everything would be alright.

He slid the envelope across the table and swallowed as Hugo opened it, counting the money.

“You’re short a thousand dollars,” he said, looking angry. “Next month, you owe me the regular amount plus two thousand.”

“I can’t pay that. I don’t have enough business.”

“Start using those mud wrestlers for other things,” he grinned. “Or, put that little girl to work. I know a few men who would enjoy watching her dance.”

Yaz stood, still gripping his hat in order to not reach across the desk and strangle the man.

“Yaz? Next month. If I don’t have it, I will take the girl.” Yaz stared at him and then turned, walking away.

“Over my dead body.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

The medical team made the decision to put Lydia in a drug-induced coma. The pain from her wounds was so severe and so extensive she couldn’t function without the drugs at this point.

“We need to take her to the pond,” said Trak, staring at the young girl.

“Honey, I’m not sure the pond can help with all of this,” said Gabi. Riley nodded, agreeing with her.

“We can’t be sure, Trak, and I don’t want to give her hope if there is none.”

“She’s not awake. She won’t even know where we’re taking her. Can’t we at least try?” he asked, looking up at the two women, tears in his eyes. It absolutely gutted them both. This was not a man who shed tears for anyone.

“Alright,” nodded Riley. “But we leave the bandages on for now. It should heal the sutured wounds, but the burns, the burns I’m not sure of, Trak. They’re not superficial. They’re deep, down into the dermis of the skin. That’s a lot to ask the pond to repair.”

“I can lift her to someone, but I don’t want her to wake next to a naked man in the water,” he said calmly.

“I can handle her,” said Gabi. “I’ll get in, and you and Doc hand her to me. I’ll take it from there.”

He nodded, leaving the room to get Doc. When they returned, Lydia was moved to a gurney, then to an awaiting stretcher on the back of the ATV. She didn’t even move. Not so much as a moan was heard by any of them.

Turning their backs, Doc and Trak waited until Gabi was in the water. Riley tapped them on the shoulders, and they turned to see the silver-haired demon doctor smiling at them. They both shook their heads and gently lifted Lydia.

“She shouldn’t feel a thing,” said Riley. “Just be careful.”

The two men knelt at the same time, then leaned forward over the pond, using their superior core strength to hold themselves up and not tip in with her. Then, they gently lay Lydia into the water and Gabi’s awaiting arms.

“She looks so small right now,” said Gabi, brushing back the hair on the good side of her face. “I just hope this works.”

She held the young woman around the middle and swam backwards, allowing the waters to flow over her. When she had done that a few times, she dared to take her beneath the water. One dunk, two dunks, finally a third dunk, and she swam to the dock.

“I think that’s enough. Let’s get her out, and we’ll check her wounds,” said Gabi.

Doc and Trak lifted the young girl, wrapping her in towels before laying her on the gurney. When Gabi was out, she stood by the gurney and looked up at Riley.

“Her face looks healed,” said Riley. “Look. It’s clean, pink, fresh skin. The hair is there as well. It’s short like it’s growing out or something, but it’s there.”

“Look at her neck and arms,” said Trak, unwinding the dressings. “It’s all gone. The burns are gone.”

“It worked,” grinned Gabi. “I can’t believe it worked. Let’s get her back to the hospital and start bringing her out of this. We’re going to have some serious explaining to do, but we’ll manage that.” Riley gripped her arm, staring at Doc and Trak.

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