Page 69 of Raff
“Okay. You, me, Velle, and our friend Teddy are going to bring you to the clinic, okay?”
I nodded but didn’t move from my position on the ground.
Someone nudged York out of the way, and then there was Velle, looking like he’d been woken up and was still adjusting to that inconvenience. But he had a pair of my flip-flops in his hands and my beach cover-up thrown over his shoulder.
“Heya, honey.” His voice was soft, soothing. And he worked hard not to have a reaction to whatever horror show he was looking at when he glanced at my face. “Let’s go get you some medical care, huh? Can I put these on you?” he asked, flashing the shoes.
I nodded and held out one foot, then the other.
“Do you want me to help you to your feet, or do you want to do it yourself?”
I shook my head, stubborn to my core, and whimpered and grunted my way to my own feet.
“Can I help you with this?” he asked, holding out the cover-up. “I don’t think twisting is a good idea until we know your ribs aren’t broken.”
Keeping my gaze down so I didn’t catch sight of myself in the mirror, I nodded and let him help.
“Alright. Do you want us to grab anything for you before we go? Phone? Blanket?”
“No.”
“Okay. Then let’s get you down to Teddy’s car.”
I followed him out, seeing a group of men I didn’t know in the bedroom, mostly blocking my view of the body as I moved past.
When I was in the hallway, I heard Dixon’s familiar voice say to the group, “Raff is going to be so fucking pissed.”
York held the front door open for me, and I approached the fancy-looking town car with blackout windows.
Standing beside it was, I assumed, Teddy.
Theodore Kane.
Billionaire.
Owner of the house.
Wearer of a jaunty scally cap with his three-piece suit.
Teddy was a little person with keen, but soft eyes, and a gentle smile.
“Lula,” he said, pressing a hand to his heart. “I’ve heard so much about you. I’m sorry we have to meet in these circumstances,” he said as he pulled open the door for me.
“Lula,” Velle interjected. “If it’s okay, York and I are going to follow on the bikes while you go with Teddy and his driver. But I can stay with you if you want.”
“No, it’s okay,” I said as I lowered into my seat.
“Raff is going to meet us at the clinic,” York told me before he closed the door.
The men shared a few more words before Teddy climbed into the front seat and the others got on their bikes.
“Thanks for letting us stay in your house,” I said when the silence in the car felt awkward.
“It’s nothing,” Teddy assured me. “I only regret it wasn’t more secure. The clinic is only about ten minutes away, but would you like us to stop for something? Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m okay.”
I was far, far from okay.
