Page 91 of Truck Up
“Yeah, the kid knocked him out. If he comes to before we get them out of here, I don’t want to think about what he’ll do.”
The front door flies open before we even take one step onto the front porch. I freeze when I see Charlie’s son, Cameron, standing in the doorway.
“What the fuck?” I cover my mouth with my hand and run it down my beard and around my chin. “How old are you?”
Cameron stares at me with a fierceness I’ve never seen in a kid before. But it’s not the fierceness that has me stunned. It’s his familiar dark brown eyes and dark brown hair.
“Twelve,” he says with authority. Then he turns to Edge as if I’m not even here. “She’s in the kitchen. It’s bad.”
Cameron disappears around the corner, and Edge follows. I remain frozen, unable to move for several seconds. He can’t be who I think he is. He just can’t.
I finally get my feet to move and follow the sound of voices. I spot Charlie’s body crumpled on the floor in the living room with broken glass all around him. Instead of going to the kitchen, I lean down beside his body and make sure he’s still breathing.
There’re broken shards of crystal all around his body. A few pieces are covered in blood. Cameron hit him hard. If Hannah is in the state I expect to find her, then Charlie deserves the headache he’s going to have when he wakes up.
“Mother fucker.” I push to my feet and kick him in the side. I don’t give a fuck that he’s down. He beat up a woman. As far as I’m concerned, he doesn’t deserve to live.
I find Edge kneeling in front of Hannah in the kitchen. Cameron is standing guard next to him like he’s ready to take on anyone who tries to hurt his mother again. It actually makes me smile.
Edge is blocking Hannah from view, and I can’t see how bad it is until I’m standing next to him.
“Fuck me.” I growl and wish I’d kicked Charlie even harder.
“We need to get them out of here,” Edge says as he wraps a bandage around Hannah’s arm. “I don’t think this is broken, but I can’t be sure.”
Cameron spins around and runs down the hallway.
“Kid, get back here. We’ve got to leave. Now!” I call after him.
Edge mumbles something under his breath before he looks up at me. “I’ll go after him. He trusts me. You get her.”
I nod and take his place in front of Hannah. “Can you stand?”
She shakes her head, and that’s when I notice the gash down her leg.
“Goddammit.” I look up at her and she must see the fury in my eyes. I want to gut that fucker open and watch him bleed until he takes his last breath.
“Don’t.” She begs. “He’s not worth it.”
I stare at her, not liking one bit what she said. Charlie Fisher doesn’t deserve to live. But she’s right. If I kill him, I’ll be the one to suffer.
For the first time in my life, I’ve got something worth living for. I can’t jeopardize that.
“Wrap your arms around my neck, then I’ll lift you up.”
She lifts one arm easily, but I have to help her lift the other one. There are so many bruises on her body. There’s no way he gave her all those tonight.
When I slide my arms under her legs, she cries out.
“Mom!” Cameron yells from down the hallway. I hear the pounding of his feet first, and then he’s right by my side. “Don’t hurt her.”
“I’m not trying to kid, but I’ve got to pick her up.”
“Cam,” she says. His name is so quiet it’s as if speaking is a struggle for her. “It’s okay. I trust him.”
“Mom.” He reaches out and gently places his hand on her arm. “I’m sorry.”
“Not … not your … fault,” she says right before she passes out against my chest. I adjust my hold on her, doing my best not to cause her more pain. Though I suspect she’s not feeling much now that she’s out cold.