Page 23 of Pit Stop

“Bigger than this, Bazz?” Slade asks, pointing to the girl on the couch.

Bazz raises his eyebrows and nods his head vigorously. He’s the one so good on a computer. It makes sense, I can totally see it. “Yeah! You held a knife to the rich guy's throat, and I think she stabbed him,” he finished pointing at Odette who is still unconscious. I don’t even know her, but I can feel the good and light coming off her. How anyone could hurt her is beyond me.

Onyx turns around to face them. “What? Odette wouldn’t stab anyone. She can’t even kill a spider.”

“Well, rich boy was bleeding from his side and a shard of glass was lying next to his knee pretty much covered in blood. I’m thinking she managed to stab him.” Bazz runs his hands through his hair. Slade curses under his breath. After studying Odette a little while longer I stand up, my blood has boiled over from angry to downright furious. Considering how my mom died, seeing anyone take a beating doesn’t sit right with me. Especially if it’s a man and woman. Women should be cherished and treated like queens, not like this.

My arms cross over my chest, my biceps straining against my t-shirt. “Take me there.”

“What?” everyone basically says in unison.

My eyes meet Decker’s. “You know me. I’ll make sure everyone is in the clear. Does she have stuff there?” Decker nods because he knows my story, knows how I ended up in the system that led me to the SK.

Onyx bobs her head. “Her and my brother.”

“We’ll get that once Odette feels up to it. Stay with her and make sure she’s okay. Someone give me the address or take me to this Lyle guy.” I walk out of the hotel turned home for the misfits. Hushed voices can be heard behind me. I’m leaning against my car when Slade and Bazz both come out. “Do you want to ride with one of us?” Slade asks.

I shake my head. “No, we can take mine.” Bazz’s eyes bug out of his head. Slade whistles. I slide behind the wheel of my car. The boys seem frozen by the front door, so I holler out. “Sometime tonight would be good.” They both scurry towards my car and climb inside. Bazz in the back seat and Slade in the passenger. I can’t help but smile for a moment because something about their friendship reminds me of Axell and I.

---