Page 53 of Mended Souls
“Annika—”
“Nope. It wasn’t your fault.” She looked at me. “Don’t let my bestie be sad. I’m alive. Just stuck.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I looked at her men. “Keep us updated. I’m going to take her home and get her cleaned up. When she goes home, I’ll bring Kadence over.”
When we made it back home, I pulled Kadence into the bathroom and stripped her out of her clothes. Annika’s blood had dried on her skin, and I knew it was uncomfortable. She looked dazed, her eyes glassy as I pulled her into the shower. Kadence was stuck in her head, blaming herself for what happened to Annika.
Kadence went to the floor, tucking her legs into her chest as she rested her head on her knees. I squeezed her sugar cookie body wash onto a loofah and started to gently scrub her skin. I was giving her today to feel like this, but tomorrow, I’d make sure she was out of this funk and doing things. The last thing any of us needed was for her to go down a wormhole and spiral because of what transpired today.
“Come on, princess. I need you to stand up. Let’s finish this shower and then we can go to bed.” I helped her to her feet and washed her body. “Look at me.” Her eyes stayed downcast. “Princess.” I put my fingers under her chin and lifted her head up. Fresh tears spilled from her eyes, and I was ready to ripthis person to shreds. “What happened is not your fault. If it’s anyone's fault, it’s mine. Let’s get to bed.”
Kadence crawled into bed in an old band tee and I pulled her into me. She curled into me, more silent tears falling down her face until she fell asleep.
I leftKadence in bed to meet with Kala. The police were not enthused that something like this happened on public property with other civilians around. I had them in my pocket, but I kept my businesses away from them, and they left me alone unless I needed help with something. With what’s going on, and now this attack on Kadence, I’d have to put my tail between my legs and let the department assist me.
“People could’ve gotten hurt, Blaize,” Kala snapped.
“Someone did get hurt,” I shot back at her.
She folded her arms across her chest. “Someone not connected to you. You might be the leader of this town, but even you aren’t above the damn law.”
“Kala, shut the hell up,” I barked, already annoyed with her attitude. “I am the leader, and I use your department when needed. Someone is targeting me, and they are using my girl to do it. Annika was not the target, but got hurt in the crossfire.”
“Since when do you have a girl?” she bitterly asked.
Ever since we shared a night together once upon a time, she’d been a bitch. “That’s none of your business. Are you going to help me or not? I’ll go to your captain if you can’t do your job.”
She huffed. “No. I’ll deal with it. I’ll get with my people and we’ll look into it, and I’ll get back to you if I find anything.”
I hated relying on other people to help me, but the more people I had looking for Ava and her boyfriend, the harder it would be for them to hide. Kala walked off, grumbling to herself as I glared at her. She’d get the job done, and that was all I needed from her.
DREW
Check on Kadence.
ME
She’s sleeping.
DREW
I meant in general. She’s going to blame herself. No one blames her for what happened to Annika.
ME
I will. How is Annika?
DREW
Ready to get out of the hospital.
ME
Let me know if you need anything.
Annika was Kadence’s best friend, and I would do anything to make sure my girl was happy. And that involved protecting the people she loved.
CHAPTER 41
