Page 34 of Judge's Justice

"I can walk," Judge mutters.

"Sure you can," Brick says. "You can also pass out and crack your head open on the pavement. Let's avoid that."

Phoenix is walking toward us now, his eyes on Judge. His expression is neutral, but I can see the fury beneath it. The worry.

"Three on one," Phoenix says. It's not a question. "I know that much. What I want to know is why the hell you let them leave."

"They had security footage of the civilians from the bus station," Saint says. "Threatened to go looking for them if Judge fought back. So, he took the beating. Bought time until we arrived."

"And when you arrived?" Phoenix's eyes are sharp. "Three Vipers, two of you. You had the advantage. Why let them walk?"

Saint and Canvas exchange a glance. Then Saint looks at me, and then at Grace pressed against my side.

"The woman and the kid were watching," Saint says. "We had them down. Could have ended it. But..." He trails off.

"But it didn't feel right," Canvas finishes. "Not with civilians watching. Not with a five-year-old seeing us put men in the ground."

Phoenix's jaw clenches. He looks at Judge, who's barely staying upright against Brick. Then at me and Grace.

"Get him to medical," Phoenix says. "Saint, full assessment. I want to know everything."

"On it." Saint and Brick start moving toward the building, half-carrying Judge between them.

Grace tugs on my hand. "Mama, where are they taking Judge?"

I sign quickly. "To the medical room. So, Saint can help him heal."

"Can we go with him?"

Before I can answer, the woman, Ivy, steps forward. She crouches down so she's at Grace's eye level, and when she speaks, her voice is gentle. Kind.

"Hi, sweetheart. I'm Ivy. You must be Grace."

Grace looks up at me uncertainly. I nod, and Grace looks back at Ivy.

"I know you want to stay with Judge," Ivy says. "But he needs Saint to help him right now, and that's going to take a little while. How about you come with me? We can get some snacks and juice, and then when Judge is all patched up, you can see him. Does that sound okay?"

Grace's hands move immediately. "What did she say, Mama?"

I translate quickly, and Grace's face scrunches up in thought. Then she signs back. "I don't want to leave Judge."

"I know, baby. But you need to eat. And Judge needs Saint to focus without worrying about you watching." I pause. "If you eat something now, you can come back and stay with him after. I promise."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Grace looks at Ivy, then at the building where they're taking Judge, then back at me. Her lower lip trembles, but she nods.

"Okay. But come get me as soon as he's done. Right away."

"Right away," I agree.

Ivy stands and holds out her hand. Grace takes it hesitantly, and Ivy gives her a warm smile.

"I only know basic signing," Ivy signs with her free hand as they start walking toward the building. "But we'll make this work, okay?"

I watch them go. My daughter holding hands with a stranger, walking into a biker clubhouse like it's the most normal thing in the world.