Page 35 of Falcon

Dawson tore my underwear off, and I began scratching and biting like a wildcat. Rawson was trying to herd me, but I kept fighting. I’d raked Rawson’s face with my nails. Dawson backed away at that point, but I’d kicked him hard. He’d dropped too, but that triggered Rawson’s rage, and he’d knocked me down and kicked and stamped on me. I remembered punching out to escape, then glanced towards my arm. It was in a cast. How had I missed that?

Elianna carefully questioned me, and Falcon sat there, anger boiling and taking it all in. But somehow I’d survived and hadn’t been raped as they’d intended. Now I wanted them locked up, and the key thrown away. Then Jayes and I were getting the hell out of Dodge.

Chapter Eight.

Falcon

I was barely holding on. Myka had recited the whole nasty, bloody story in a monotone. It had to be hurting her, but she kept going. Damn, that was brave, and that wasn’t something I’d credited her with. Then Myka shocked me further and held Cate’s eyes.

“This time, Elianna, stop Dawson from escaping justice. What happened before was a total shitshow, and the sheriff rightfully deserved to lose his job. Don’t fail Jayes,” Myka said desperately.

“The former sheriff was in the Beauregards’ pocket, as everyone is aware. Myka, I’m not.”

“Good. I don’t want to keep returning here. It’s no fun,” Myka murmured. She winced, and I pressed the pain relief button into her hand.

“Press that and it will help.”

“No, I’d rather be alert in case Dawson breaches hospital security,” Myka refused.

“Myka, I’ll assign a deputy to the door,” Cates said.

“No. Your department is stretched as it is,” Myka replied.

“Hey, I’ll have two prospects here in thirty minutes. They’ll not let anyone in,” I announced and walked away. I quickly explained to Calamity what I needed, and he assured me there’d be someone there within half an hour.

“…Elianna, I want the book thrown at them,” Myka was saying when I returned. “They’re going to come for me. I couldn’t defend myself when I was fit. I don’t stand a chance now.”

“Myka, you can’t back out,” Cates stated.

“I didn’t last time. Your office failed me. And if Dawson had waited a week, I’d have been gone. I’d planned to leave,” Myka said quietly.

Cates reared back, surprised. “Myka, you were leaving?”

“I’ve suffered six years with Dawson. Anyone sane would want to run. I discovered people who help those like me.”

Cates cocked her head, and Myka shut her mouth.

“You’re not telling me?” Cates asked.

“No. Because I’ll need them to get Jayes safe.”

“Myka, I swear The Beauregards will go down,” Cates promised.

“Those three? Yes, but what about the remainder of their fuckin’ psychotic family? Elianna, you and I are both aware they’ll come for me. I want to be somewhere secure when they do.” There was real fear on Myka’s face. “I don’t want Jayes growing up to be like them.”

“How will I contact you?” Cates asked.

“You can’t, that I know of. These people might let me check in once a month. That’s something to discuss with them,” Myka said.

I felt a kick in my gut when I realised Myka was still planning on running. Unthinkingly, I turned quickly, and Myka flinched back, unable to control her reaction. Slowly, I held my hands in the air so that she saw them.

“Sorry, it’s instinct,” Myka murmured.

“It’s fine. You have other options than the rescue team,” I used, for lack of a better phrase, to call the Parks. I wouldn’t out them. Cates probably was aware of them, but I wouldn’t risk their security.

“No, I don’t. They’re it for Jayes and me,” Myka said with a little steel. She closed her eyes. “I’m tired.”

Cates and I exchanged worried glances. Myka needed to stay and fight, but I heard the fear in her voice and saw it on her face. People could not control terror. And Myka had suffered enough. But the pang in my chest screamed that Myka leaving was a mistake.