Gertie’s face was on him. She’d been watching, and she must have heard him because she went pale. It was clear she didn’t know the Gypsys shared their plans.
Downey put a hand to his chest which he shoved away roughly. “Buck!” she snapped, no longer the cool professional. “What does mouthing off and throwing a tantrum change?”
“Come on,” Knuckles said, close to his ear. “She’s okay, see? She’ll be with the Sheriff, safest place for her. We need to see to Jayce, okay? He needs us, man. Let’s not do this, okay?”
Downey’s shrewd eyes were on his face. This was one smart bitch, and she proved it further. “I got her, Buck. I’ll see if she needs to talk to anyone, we’ll get her to a doctor. I got her, you have to help Jayce.”
His own reaction to seeing Gertie again shocked him. He wasn’t mad at her, not at all. That hurt of betrayal was gone, overshadowed by crushing concern. It surprised him. No, he didn’t want to see her hurting but he thought he’d confirm she was okay, then turn his back. Because he had been pissed. Hurt and furious.
Not anymore. He had forgiven her. The change was abrupt, but that could only mean one thing. He loved her, and he would no matter on what. On some level, anyway.
“Okay,” he muttered, running his hand over his face.
The sheriff turned her attention to Knuckles. “The kids are with the neighbors, they’re fine. Make sure Jayce gets to the hospital, Trinny really needs him right now. I’ll bring the kids to him once I’ve got Gertie somewhere safe. Okay?”
“You got it,” Knuckles replied, pulling back on Buck’s kutte. “Let’s go, do what she says. Give Gertie her space, man.”
Buck’s head was thick, his thoughts coming to him slowly. Downey was right, of course. Buck wasn’t a doctor or psychologist, but he was capable of stopping Jayce from tearing the town apart finding any standing Gypsys to slaughter.
Still, he asked, “Can I just talk to her again? One more time? Please?”
Downey and Knuckles shared a look and Buck started getting pissed off.
“I’m fine,” he growled, stepping out from under Knuckles’ hand which was still resting on his shoulder. “I just need to talk to her.”
Downey sighed and turned for the cruiser door, pulling it open. When she did Buck heard Gertie sobbing, and it took all he had to remain in control and let Downey help her stand. The cuffs stayed on, which was obviously bugging Gertie because she was trying to wipe her eyes on the shoulder of the T-shirt she was wearing. It obviously wasn’t hers; she was swimming in it. And it was a guy’s shirt, he could also tell that.
He didn’t lose his mind. He stepped closer, wiping her cheeks with his thumbs. She stood still while he did it, visibly pulling herself together. “I’m sorry,” she whispered eventually, and his only response was to pull her in for a hug. She rested her cheek on his chest like she always had, and he closed his eyes. Buck tried to get a whiff of her, his nose in her hair. But she didn’t smell like Gertie, not the way he remembered anyway. And her hair felt coarser, rougher. The shampoo, must’ve been the wrong kind the last little while.
Buck felt his heart constrict, and he knew he let out a slight sob as well because he was realizing what had happened to her. He knew what she’d gone through, but it hadn’t really soaked in yet. But the smell and feel of her hair confirmed that she’d not been at home, safe, where she could use her own damn soap.
“Okay, we have to go,” Downey spoke up, her voice very gentle. “I’ll take good care of her, Buck.”
Buck was nodding, letting Gertie go. When he did she looked up at him, trying her best to give him a smile. “I’ll go with the sheriff,” she whispered, and he wiped tears from her cheeks again. “I’ll be okay, Buck.”
With a loud gulp he swallowed, nodding. “I care about you,” he whispered, chickening out on the L-word since it was hardly the right time or place for that. “I care about you so much, honey.”
Her eyes closed with a fresh round of sobbing, but she was nodding. Downey pulled him back carefully, helping Gertie into the backseat again and shutting the door. When she stepped away he only saw Gertie’s profile, turned away from the window while her body shook as though she didn’t want him to see her crying.
Downey circled the cruiser to the driver’s door, starting the car and pulling away. She likely hadn’t intended to leave the scene so soon, but she was smart enough to know that half the Rebels on the scene would stick around Buck while the other half went with Jayce if she didn’t. And that didn’t help the investigation of a sudden death.
“Shit,” Knuckles mumbled, showing a hand through his hair. “Jayce is not gonna be okay, man.”
Buck nodded, sniffing hard and wiping the wet from under his eyes with the back of his hand. “Yeah. We should get him to the hospital.”
“Tiny’s calling Mickey to bring a cage. He can’t ride.”
Buck was still nodding the whole time, breathing and pulling himself together the best he could. “That’s good”
Knuckles gave him a moment, which Buck appreciated and showed it by nodding when he was pulled together again. They headed towards the police tape, where Jayce was being held back by the rest of the Rebels. The deputy sheriff was standing in his way, for his part looking very sorry.
“Jayce, you gotta get it together and get to the hospital. That’s where Trinny is,” Tank was saying low, his president wrapped up in a tight bear hug. Tank was likely the only one who could hold him back when he was raging.
Buck looked around, wondering what the hell was here that had Jayce so intent on getting on the other side of that police tape. If Trinny had been taken to the hospital –
Then he saw it. Another cruiser, right up by the house. A Gypsy was in the backseat, watching them, and the fucker was smirking.
Everyone was so worried about Jayce no one really noticed Buck striding across the grass, long legs eating up the distance fast. He yanked the door open just to hear the bastard laughing, even as Buck grabbed him by the lapel of his kutte and yanked him out onto the gravel.
He could only hear blood pounding in his ears. That is, until the asshole spoke, shaking his head as he lay on his side and stared up at Buck. “Don’t be mad, Buck. That was hardly the tightest cunt available. A little on the old side too, wasn’t she?”
He barely finished before Buck’s first shot loosened a few teeth. The second punch brought blood. He didn’t know if it was a split lip or knocked out teeth, nor did he give a shit. He had the man’s torso suspended by his leather, held in place as Buck fed him punch after punch.
It took three men to pull him off; Knuckles, Tiny, and Fritter. Across the yard he saw Mickey leading Jayce to a van, the Prez suddenly and suspiciously quiet. The deputy sheriff was heading their way, shouting expletives that seemed so stupid and trivial.
He was pulling out cuffs, too. His brothers let him go as the deputy spun him around to face the cruiser, leading him to the trunk and pushing his shoulders down. They had to step over the Gypsy as they did so, and Buck was happy as fuck to see that he wasn’t moving.
Buck knew the drill, immediately complying with the deputy as he was cuffed and pulled back to the street to yet another cruiser. Knuckles was walking next to him. “This is nothing,” Knuckles pointed out. “We’ll call Clark, get you out.”
Buck just nodded, ducking into the cruiser without any help. He settled onto the vinyl bench seat, the world falling suffocating and silent as the door was slammed behind him. His hands were aching, he felt it sharply now. There was no relief, though. He was still so furious he felt it would be possible to rip a man’s head off with just his bare hands.
He watched out the window as a set of paramedics were checking on the man he’d beaten unconscious. It was bad to beat a guy wearing cuffs, but he could give a shit. Those pussies took his woman, kidnapped her, had her confined and … other things, too.
They all deserved a prison shower shanking in his opinion. Nothing that left their honor intact. Stabbed in t
he back, that’s what they deserved.
Chapter Sixty-One
Everyone was talking so nicely to her. Gertie knew the speed was wearing off, and she was crashing rapidly, but all the people she’d dealt with at the hospital were kind, gentle and understanding. Then when the Sheriff had driven her to the station to give her statement the kindness continued.
Sheriff Downey offered her a change of clothes, which was greatly appreciated. The lost and found threads didn’t smell like a biker clubhouse. The sheriff also brought her a coke and sandwich, both of which Gertie scarfed down in a couple minutes. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten anything that wasn’t a found prize.
It had only been her world for a week and she already felt strange being out of it.
When the sheriff turned her recorder on her tone got a bit more serious. But with the speed easing off and food in her stomach Gertie felt a bit steadier.
And she told the woman everything.
Not the drug muling. She wasn’t stupid. And not about Buck and his club. She knew that wouldn’t be appreciated. But the kidnapping, her confinement, all of it.
The only thing she changed was how the Gypsys had gotten their hands on her. Obviously she couldn’t share how she’d willingly walked into G-Town’s club just to be handed over. So she made it more dramatic. She was walking home from work and was grabbed.
“What day was this?”
“Ummm, Monday,” Gertie replied. “I can’t remember the exact date. A week ago.”
Sheriff Downey looked her in the eye. “Was this the same day you lost your job?”
Shit. Gertie swallowed, knowing her face went pale.
“It’s okay,” Downey assured her, reaching out a hand and placing it on Gertie’s arm. “I know about the drug tests. You’re hardly the first upper-class person to develop a habit.”
Gertie got ready to argue, deny. But what was the point? Plus, she was tired of lying. She decided she didn’t want to anymore. She was telling the truth from now on.
Except about Buck’s club. That wasn’t hers to tell anyway.
“Did you owe them money?” Downey urged, tone still gentle.
Gertie shook her head. “No. I always paid up.”
“So did they just grab you because of your relationship with Buck? Their clubs don’t get along very well.”
Gertie frowned at how much this woman knew. Markham was a small town, but …
Downey smiled. “I’ve lived here all my life, Gertie. I know the Red Rebels. Hell, I graduated two years after Buck. Our fathers were in the same bowling league.”
Without an idea of where to go from there, Gertie just waited.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, developing a dependency.”
Now the woman lost Gertie. “I don’t have a dependency.”
“Gertie, you do. Your friends aren’t going to say it. And here’s the thing.” Downey leaned in closer. “You’re going to be scared of your own shadow once you’re out of here. I’m sure your father will post your bail, take you back to your condo. But that’s G-Town territory. And now you’ve killed a Gypsy, possibly two.”
Gertie just stared, the cold wave of fear starting at her feet running all the way up over her body. She hadn’t considered any of that.
“Gertie, you have an opportunity here that won’t come along again. Right now you’re in shock. But let this possession charge stand.”
“Possession charge?”
Downey raised an eyebrow. “You had two tablets of sunshine Oxy in your pockets when we picked you up. I can charge you. It likely won’t stand, but it would keep you here a day or two. But that’s not the point.” Now the other woman leaned in. “I can get you in a treatment centre, here in Markham, immediately.”
Gertie bristled at that. “I don’t need any damn treatment -”
“It’s anonymous, and there’s a wait to get in. But there’s always a spot for someone in peril, and I think you are.” Downey sighed. “You’ve suffered terrible physical trauma. I saw the video on your phone.”
“What video?” Gertie had to blink rapidly. She had no idea what the woman was talking about.
Downey swallowed, looking away. “They took a video of three Gypsys raping you, Gertie. They sent it to your father, demanding that he turn himself in to the Sachetti family for the money he lost.”
If she’d been cold with fear she was downright terrified and frozen. But hysterical. Yes, she was hysterical because she could hear it in her own voice. “They sent that to my father?”
Downey nodded. “But this is the point, Gertie. Your dad ran rather than turn himself in. we can’t find him. His phone has since been disconnected, but that video was delivered.”
Gertie thought she was going to pass out. That or throw up.
“I’m worried about you being out there alone, Gertie. I really think you should start taking steps now to get sorted. Like I said, I can get you in tonight, but I can’t force you.” Downey let go of her arm. “They have really good counsellors there. They can help you deal with everything, Gertie.”
The world grew watery as she felt tears well up again. After chewing her lip for a moment she nodded. “Okay,” she whispered. “If you think it’s safest, and the best option -”
“It is,” Downey cut in immediately. “And I’ll explain it to Buck. I’m sure he’ll agree.”
Gertie wiped her eyes. “You know him well?” she asked, glad to get the subject off of her.
Downey smiled. “I do. I know the type, too.”
There was something in her voice that made Gertie look at her in a different way. Downey was flipping through pages in the folder in front of her, but there was a small smile teasing the corners of her mouth.
Well, that was interesting.
“So this is your statement as you relayed it to me,” Downey said, all business again as she turned the folder Gertie’s way. “Read it over, let me know if you want anything revised. If not, just sign the last page.”
-oOo-
It happened just like that. When Gertie was escorted from the sheriff’s office that night a car was waiting to take her to this treatment center immediately. They asked who could pack a bag for her, and the only person Gertie could think of was Maggie. Hopefully the little blonde was still a friend of hers.
The treatment center looked like an old age home. One level, a curving driveway that swung under an awning so you could get out and walk right to the door. The interior lights were somewhat dim, but it was late at night. Likely after bedtime.
The sheriff had driven Gertie herself, which was appreciated. For a moment she thought the deputy sheriff would be the one driving and Gertie found herself scared of the possibility. He’d never done anything to her, but Gertie didn’t know him and her stomach immediately turned at the thought of being alone around him.
Downey spoke to the woman at the desk dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans. Gertie realized she’d expected a nurse or something, but since this wasn’t a hospital it made sense that the staff were all dressed like regular people.
The woman introduced herself as Penny, offering her hand. Gertie smiled, shook it while mumbling, “I’m Gertie.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Come with me, I’ll get you to your room. You must be exhausted. Now, due to the nature of the centre there are no private rooms, I hope that’s okay.”
Gertie shrugged. “Of course not.” What would they do if she’d said no?
Downey squeezed her shoulder. “This is where I leave you on your own. Listen to the staff Gertie, but most of all listen to everyone else, too.”
Gertie smiled her appreciation, and before the Sheriff cleared the doorway Penny was motioning for her to follow. “Your roommate is Brady. He’s a nice guy, you’ll like him.”
Gertie’s stomach dropped and she stopped where she was. “My roommate’s a guy?” She knew it sounded as though she was terrified. And she was.
Penny smiled, turning back to her and crossing her
arms. There was nothing confrontational about her gesture, though. “Brady prefers the company of men.”
That took her by surprise, admittedly. “Oh.” Gertie hadn’t met too many gay men. This would be a new thing. “Then, I suppose I’ll be fine.”
Penny tilted her head. “I’m sorry, Gertie. Hopefully we can get past those trust issues.” Again, it wasn’t mean at all. Everything she said and did was incredibly helpful.
“I was raped,” Gertie blurted. She had decided at the sheriff’s department she wouldn’t hide things anymore. “I was help captive for a week by bikers and raped repeatedly. Luckily one of them took pity on me and kept me somewhat docile with narcotics but … I remember plenty.”
Penny’s expression had slowly melted to shock, but Gertie was going to have to get used to that as well.
There was a long pause, then suddenly Penny closed the distance between them and wrapped Gertie up with both arms. There was a shocked moment where Gertie froze, but as Penny rubbed her back she relaxed and hugged her back.
“I was drunk at a party in high school. My boyfriend raped me when I was too out of it to fight back,” Penny shared, and Gertie inhaled deeply.
“I’m so sorry,’ she replied, squeezing Penny tighter.
“I’m sorry,” Penny returned.
Gertie didn’t know what else to say, so she just kept the hug going.
This stranger eventually pulled away, smiling again. “You’ll love Brady, honestly. If you really do have a problem sharing a room with a guy, I can try to move you into a room with a girl. Maybe one won’t mind -”
“No, no,” Gertie insisted, wishing she’d controlled her reaction better. But she’d also decided to just speak up from now on, so … “It’ll be fine. I should have realized this place wouldn’t put males and females together if there was a chance of, well …”
Penny waved a hand and spun on her heel, leading the way. “Let’s just see. Brady’s a lot of fun, I think you two will get along famously.”
Gertie continued along behind Penny, arms crossed over her stomach. There was a peace to this place. The mushroom-colored walls and dimmed pot lights made it feel like they were here afterhours, and maybe they were. The vinyl floor shone like new. Actually, if it wasn’t for the all-purpose, easy-clean floor it could have been a hallway in someone’s house.
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