Page 80 of No Apologies
“What can I do? What do you need baby?”
“You. Just you.”
A whimper she couldn’t contain escaped her. For so long she’d wanted to hear Colt tell her things like that. She’d wanted him to need her, but not like this. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. Not with pain and violence.
He said something else, something she couldn’t make out because it was too jumbled. She wiped at her damp cheeks and asked what he’d said but he didn’t answer. There was a commotion and she registered that Remy had taken the phone off speaker when she heard him speak again.
“Okay loverboy. That’s enough for now.” Remy cleared his throat and then spoke to her again, “Skylar, you there?”
“Yeah.” She sniffled.
“Get whatever first aid supplies you have. Gather up any old towels you won’t mind burning too. We’re gonna need them for the blood. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes. Do you have a key to his place?”
Blood? She nearly threw up at the thought. Colt’s blood.
“Skylar?” Remy’s voice jolted her out of those dark thoughts.
“No.” She tried to focus, “No, I don’t have a key.”
“Okay. Well, just get the stuff together then. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
The frustration in Remy’s voice was clear to her to but she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “What about a doctor? A nurse? Somebody that can look at his injuries? You said he’s in and out of consciousness. What if he has a concussion or a brain bleed or…”
“Damn it Skylar. I’m doin’ the best I can.” Remy cursed and then lowered his voice again, “I called Link. He’s getting Nessa. They’re gonna meet us there. Other than that… I don’t know. We’ll have to see what she says.”
Skylar fought another wave of tears. She didn’t know Remy well enough to read his tone of voice but even she could hear the desperation when he trailed off with a heavy sigh. Colt was his brother. He was trying to take care of him. She had to trust that he wouldn’t do anything that would hurt his little brother worse than he already was.
“Okay.” She said simply, “I’ll get the stuff and see you soon. Where are you?”
“Turing onto Oak.”
“See you in a minute.” She hung up without waiting for any further details.
He was close and there was no doubt whatsoever that he was driving like a maniac to get Colt home. Remy was a Bomar after all. Their specialty was boosting cars which from what she knew of their illegal business made most of them damn good getaway drivers.
A sick thought tugged at the back of her mind, wondering if Remy was being chased, but she pushed it aside. No. He would have known if that was the case. He wouldn’t bring more trouble to their door if he could help it. She had to believe that.
With no regard for her wet toenails, Skylar bustled around the apartment. She dragged a handful of towels from the hall closet and then searched the medicine cabinet for anything that would be useful. She ended up emptying a shower caddy and tossing in the bottles of alcohol and peroxide that she found then she turned her attention to the pill bottles that lined two small shelves.
Since she’d had her heart surgery, she’d been prescribed just about anything and everything over the years. She had antibiotics that she’d never finished. She had several different kinds of pain pills. She even had an epinephrine shot because she was allergic to bees and could never be too careful. She threw all of it into the basket and headed for the door.
Almost the same time she walked out onto her porch she heard the squeal of tires as a slick, black Challenger came barreling into the parking lot. She didn’t recognize the car but that didn’t surprise her. Cash and Colt were the clean Bomars so they drove shitty pickups because that’s all they could afford. The other Bomars made their money on illegal cars and drove some of the fastest vehicles in town. Somehow, Remy already having a brand new muscle car didn’t surprise her in the least.
As soon as he slammed the brakes on, she started for the car. Remy was up and out of the driver’s side less than a second later and her steps faltered as she got a good look at him. Every muscle in her body failed her and she felt her knees go soft when she saw it.
Blood. It was everywhere. On Remy’s hands. On his clothes. And her brain knew that it wasn’t his blood. It was Colt’s.
“Oh God…”
“Skylar.” Remy paused and then groaned as he rushed forwards and caught her by the shoulders, “Skylar! Pull yourself together. I need your help. Colt needs your help.”
She nodded, “I’m ok. Promise. I just…”
“I know. This is all new to you. I’m sorry to drag you into this but…” He trailed off and she shook her head.
There was no time for apologies.
“I’m here. Tell me what you need.”
