Page 176 of Heartbeats & Highways

Duke and Crow exited the check-in building and trekked back to the car. Savage climbed out and closed the door. He and Duke had a conversation and then Duke nodded before handing over a keycard to Savage.

Savage went around to the back of the car and pressed a button. The hatch released like a spaceship. “I had Crow buy you some clothes while you were in the hospital.”

He closed the hatch and then came around to my side of the car with the bag of clothes in hand. He opened the door. When I made no move to get out, he unbuckled the seat belt and then gently took my hand and helped me down.

I shivered in the cold night. The scrubs I’d gotten at the hospital were warmer than the muslin dress, but not by much.

“We’re this way,” he said, taking my hand again and leading me to a room. He slid the keycard into the slot. It clicked and then he pushed the door open.

It reminded me of the highway motel I’d stayed in when I first got to Waco.

The room was old and a little run down, but it was clean.

A sob escaped my throat.

Savage dropped the bag on the floor, closed the door, and immediately took me into his arms.

“Cry it out,” he urged.

I did just that. I sobbed, feeling the emotion come from the base of my spine. It spilled out of my eyes. I clung to him like a child needing protection.

“You didn’t doubt that I’d come for you, did you?” He stroked my back.

“I didn’t doubt that you would, but I—I thought you were dead!”

He hugged me even tighter. “I’m so sorry, babe. I’m so sorry you were taken. I’m so fucking sorry you ever doubted.”

“You came for me.” My throat was tight, strained with emotion.

“I always will.” He led me to the small bathroom. I stood by while he adjusted the temperature. “Tell me if it’s too hot.”

I stuck my hand under the water. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not hot enough, is it?”

“Is it going to be too hot for you?”

He looked at me. “You want me in the shower with you?”

I nodded.

“It’ll be fine.” He gently caressed my chin. “You get in first. I’ll get you some clean clothes.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

His hand dropped from my face, and he left the room, closing the door behind him. I looked at my stained hands; the sight of them would be forever imprinted on my memory.

I glanced at my appearance in the mirror and noticed the redness on my neck and the deep blue underneath my skin as bruises were beginning to form.

Savage knocked on the door before coming in. “Evie?”

“I look like a heathen,” I remarked, turning my head to the side, as if I didn’t believe my own reflection. Even though Savage had cleaned my face, my hair was matted. “A savage and a heathen. We’re a perfect match.” I swallowed. “Who was he? The one who came with you? I don’t know him.”

“That’s Ghost,” he explained. “A friend of Slash’s. He has certain . . . clean up skills.”

“Oh.” I nibbled my lip. “Is he good at finding people?”

“What do you mean?”

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