Page 94 of Heal
"Parson." He shook Carter's hand, then Trenton's. "What can I do to help?"
"Nothing we can do right now but wait. Keep an eye on the kids, they're safe downstairs. It's like a big arcade down there. Help yourself to whatever's in the kitchen if you need anything, same with the kids. From the sound of things, you'll be here most of the night, but if you need or want to leave, take Beau's car and I'll make sure he gets home later," Carter told him.
"I'd like to stay, if that's okay?" Parson didn't want to cause any problems.
"You're more than welcome." Trenton smiled.
"Carter?" A voice down the hallway called.
Carter turned and rushed down the hallway.
Trenton turned to Parson. "It's crazy right now. I promise it's not usually this way. Sorry we ruined your night."
"You didn't." Parson looked around, still stunned at how normal everything was. "Did Beau know this was going on tonight?"
Trenton nodded. "But he's not always here when we go out. Most nights we never need him. This doesn't happen often, at least not this severe. How much has he told you?"
"I think pretty much everything but names and graphic details." Parson looked around. "I have to admit I didn't expect to walk into a normal house."
"Yeah, it works good for cover. All the neighbors think we're lazy gamers, which we probably would be if we didn't do this." Trenton shrugged. "Anyway, it's about to get crazy. Seriously, just make yourself at home and stay out of the way when Beau's working and you'll be good. The fact you’re here means we have no real secrets from you anymore, so don't feel like you need to go hide. Beau planned on bringing you here and introducing you to all of us in time anyway."
That was news to Parson, but he liked knowing it. He didn't want Beau upset that he'd been forced to share this with him. "Just yell if I can help."
"We will. They should be here any minute." Trenton glanced at the window. "You have any medical training?"
"First aid, that's about it."
"Then just step back and let Beau and Faith do their thing."
A man he didn't know walked into the room. "Police are on scene, kids are safe and headed to the hospital. Doesn't sound like we'll have any issues on that front." The man glanced over at Parson.
"Matt, this is Parson. Parson, meet Matt." Trenton waved a hand at them.
"Ah, you're the one my daughter talks about." Matt smiled and offered his hand.
"One of Faith's dads?" Parson shook his hand.
"The first one." Matt grinned. "Where is my daughter?"
"I'm not sure. She ran in before we were even out of the car." Parson hoped Faith was safe.
"She's upstairs with Beau in the medical room. Ran in here like a bat out of hell mumbling something about how she wouldn't be locked downstairs," Trenton told them.
Parson laughed. "Beau told her to take Lisa and Jeff downstairs and wait there."
"I wish for once she'd listen." Matt sighed.
"Beau will make her leave if it's too much. You know that." Trenton moved for the door. "They're here."
Parson stayed back as Trenton threw the door open. No one rushed outside, but instead, waited for them to come in. It took only a few seconds before three large men without shirts walked in carrying a much smaller man. Two had his arms, one his legs.
"Can you get him upstairs?" Trenton asked.
"Yeah," one man covered in tattoos said as they rushed past Parson.
Now that they were closer, Parson saw the man was covered in blood, his neck and the top of his shoulder bound with what had to have been the other guys' shirts. The man looked pale, but his eyes were open as he looked around. Parson recalled Beau calling him Bryon.
His gaze fell on Parson and something flashed in his eyes. "Who's that?" His voice was weak, but the tone still held authority.
