The Love We Found

by David Horne

  Andrew wanted to go after her. He didn’t care if she was a teenager; he was prepared to rip her to pieces. But the sight of his daughter sagging to her knees, her hands pressing to her stomach and covered in blood, made him change direction. He fell to his knees and grabbed at Caitlyn as she tipped over.

  “Caitlyn!”

  “Dad…” Caitlyn was beginning to shake. “It...it hurts…”

  The other girls were screaming. One was crying. Andrew looked up at the nearest girl, barely remembering her name.

  “Sandy, call 911. Now!”

  Sandy nodded, her hands shaking as she fumbled for her cell phone. Andrew laid his daughter onto the ground and tried to check her wounds. But Caitlyn’s hands tightened, and she moaned.

  “Okay, honey, I won’t look.”

  “Andrew.”

  Andrew looked up as Jackson knelt across from him. He beckoned over one of the girls.

  “Give me a sweater and something I can tie it with.”

  The girl grabbed a sweater from the ground and a silk scarf. She passed them to Jackson, who hurriedly folded the sweater.

  “Andrew, I’m going to put this on her wounds and tie it down. You need to lift Caitlyn up so I can get the scarf around her.”

  Andrew couldn’t speak. He simply nodded. Jackson leaned over Caitlyn, who was still shaking and crying.

  “Caitlyn, honey? We’re just going to sit you up a moment, okay?”

  “I can’t move.” Caitlyn whispered.

  “Yes, you can.” Jackson stroked her hair. “It will just be a moment. We need to put pressure on the wounds, and I need your help. Will you do it?”

  Caitlyn’s licked her lips. Her face was white. It broke Andrew’s heart.

  “Okay.”

  “Good girl.” Jackson looked up at Andrew. “Help her, will you? I’ve got this.”

  Andrew didn’t question that. He trusted Jackson. But he still felt helpless seeing Caitlyn covered in blood. He didn’t know what to do.

  And he hated that.

  Chapter Two

  Jackson was just as antsy as Andrew. The paramedics arrived quickly, and they immediately got Caitlyn into the ambulance. Andrew had refused to do anything other than go with his daughter. The sight of this tough biker with blood all over his t-shirt and handprints on his jeans, his bloody hands shaking, was a sight that Jackson never thought he would see.

  He had wanted to go with them. But Harry had told him statements needed to be made, and he wanted help keeping the girls together while they waited for reinforcements. Caitlyn’s friends had stayed, huddled on the picnic blanket, but the girls who had appeared and circled them had vanished. Jackson hadn’t noticed they had gone until Harry reminded him, he needed to round up the witnesses.

  That was more telling to him than anything else. They had come as a pack, and this had been planned. Now they had scattered.

  The teenagers left behind couldn’t tell Harry much, other than the girls were juniors at high school. Sandy, Caitlyn’s best friend, had mentioned that the girl who stabbed Caitlyn had had an argument with her during lunch the week before. It had been about Andrew, and Caitlyn had slapped the girl before giving her a telling off that everyone heard.

  Was this retaliation for a slap? It was a little too extreme. But Jackson had to remember they were dealing with teenagers. They had a habit of doing extreme things. Making mountains out of molehills, his mother used to say. She was right.

  Harry eventually let Jackson go, telling him to fetch Andrew from the hospital so they could take Andrew’s statement. Jackson was confused as to why he was the one fetching Andrew, but Harry was too shaken to give a proper explanation. He was fond of Caitlyn, and Jackson had seen how white Harry had gone when he saw the young woman covered in blood.

  Now Jackson was beginning to realize how fond of her his brother was.

  He arrived at the hospital and headed inside. It didn’t take long to find out where Caitlyn was and to find out her prognosis. No surgery needed, but several stitches. Nothing vital had been hit. Either the attacker had been lousy in her approach, or Caitlyn was extremely lucky.

  Jackson headed up to the floor Caitlyn had been put on. She was in the first room right out of the elevator. Through the window, Jackson could see Caitlyn asleep on the bed with Andrew sitting in a chair beside the bed. He had taken off his t-shirt and was wearing a vest that hugged his slim body. His tattoos that turned his tanned skin a shade darker were on full display, snaking up his arms and across his back and into his hairline.

  Jackson had never been a fan of tattoos, but on Andrew Lewer it was attractive.

  He entered the room and touched Andrew’s shoulder. Andrew jumped and sat up abruptly. He slumped when he saw Jackson.

  “Fuck, Jackson! You scared me.”

  “Sorry.” Jackson looked at Caitlyn. “How is she?”

  “Finally asleep. It took a while.” Andrew said grimly. “She was stabbed five times. The doctor said she was lucky just to have stitches needed. But she’s going to need to stay out of school and have plenty of bed rest.”

  Jackson had already heard that. The doctor who had treated Caitlyn had mentioned that he would sign a doctor’s note, so Caitlyn didn’t have to worry about her exams. They would have to be delayed, for sure. These injuries were going to take several weeks, if not several months, to recover. With Caitlyn’s age and fitness on her side, it would more than likely be the former.

  Andrew let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his hands over his face.

  “I can’t believe this happened. And right in front of me.”

  Jackson saw his hands were shaking. He squeezed Andrew’s shoulder.

  “It wasn’t your fault, Andrew. You didn’t know that was going to happen. And I doubt any of the girls knew it would, either.”

  “Do you know who did it?”

  “Harry’s got a name. A junior at Caitlyn’s school.” Jackson paused. “As soon as the ambulance left, the girls not invited ran off before the police arrived. We couldn’t stop them.”

  Andrew made a sound that could have been a growl. Jackson saw Andrew clenching his hands into fists.

  “They know something. They have to. And how the fuck does nobody know a knife was there?”

  “I’m more concerned about why a teenager attacked Caitlyn.” Jackson said. “From what one of her friends said, the girl had had a confrontation with Caitlyn last week, but nothing that would result in stabbing her.”

  Andrew grunted. He slumped in his chair. Jackson could see the tension building in his shoulders.

  “It has to be regarding me,” he said darkly. “I know it.”

  “You think one of your enemies has a little sister and told her to shank your daughter?”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised. Stranger things have happened.” Andrew let out a growl. “I’m going to rip her apart.”

  He meant it. The man was wound up pretty tight. Jackson cupped the back of Andrew’s head, feeling the rough tight curls under his hand. Andrew had cut it closer to his head since they had last seen each other. It looked good on him. Then Jackson realized what he was doing and withdrew his hand.

  “Going after the girl is not going to help Caitlyn, Andrew. You’ll just end up in jail yourself. Do you really want them to be left with Antoinette on their own?”

  Andrew was silent. Then he let out a heavy sigh, his head falling back with his eyes closed. He looked like he was in pain.

  “I guess you’re right, Jackson. I just wish there was something I could do.”

  “There is.” Jackson leaned over him, resting his hands on the chair. “Support Caitlyn and look after her. She needs you right now.”

  Andrew opened his eyes. They stared at each other. Jackson knew being this close was a bad idea, but he couldn’t help himself. Every time he was around Andrew, the urge to touch him grew. He had to be careful, especially now; any lustful thoughts he had needed to be put to the side.

  Then Jackson heard some shouting out in the
hallway. He looked up and saw a woman with dark hair in the lobby, jabbing a finger at a doctor as she shouted at him. He sighed and straightened up.

  “Your ex is here. And she’s already exploded.”

  Andrew sighed. Then he stood, rolling his shoulders.

  “I guess I’m going to have to face her.” He grumbled.

  “Harry wants you at the station to give your statement. That should have you out of her way for the moment.”

  “If only I didn’t have to leave.”

  Andrew leaned over Caitlyn and kissed her head, stroking her hair.

  “I’ll be back soon, sweetie. I hope you’re awake when I next see you.”

  Jackson hovered by the door as Andrew paused at his daughter’s bedside. Then he straightened up and joined him at the door, heading out into the hallway. His ex-wife was still shouting at the doctor.

  “Why didn’t you call me when my daughter was brought in?” She shrieked. “Why did I have to find out from one of her friends?”

  “She’s eighteen now, Miss Lewis,” The doctor’s answer was calm, but he looked frustrated, “Which makes her an adult. She doesn’t need to have her mother called.”

  “I’m her mother! I deserve to know what’s going on!”

  That was when Antoinette caught sight of Andrew. Her surprise turned into anger, sneering as she turned to her ex-husband.

  “What the fuck is his doing here? You call him but not me?”

  “I was present when Caitlyn was stabbed.” Andrew said. Jackson could hear the pain in his voice. “I rode up in the ambulance with her.”

  Antoinette snorted.

  “I should have known this would have something to do with you.”

  “It had nothing to do with me, so you can forget it.”

  “Oh, really?” Antoinette advanced on him. She looked ready to fight. “You have no business being here.”

  “I’m her father, Antoinette.”

  “Sadly. I told Caitlyn you’d only get her into trouble, and I was right! This wouldn’t have happened if Caitlyn did as she was told.”

  “Is it also my fault that Charlie had to have his arm put into a cast?” Andrew shot back. “Or that Billy is too terrified to tell anyone where the bruises and head injuries are coming from?”

  That was when Antoinette froze. Her mouth dropped open and Jackson saw her go pale. She quickly recovered.

  “What did you say?”

  “You heard me, Antoinette. You’re not deaf.”

  “Who the fuck told you about that? You’re not entitled to know anything about my children.”

  “Isn’t a father allowed to know what’s happening to his children?” Jackson asked.

  “Keep out of this, Kim Jong-Un.” Antoinette barely looked in Jackson’s direction as she faced Andrew down. “As far as I’m concerned, you have no right to know anything about them. And once I find out who told you about Charlie and Billy, I’m lodging a complaint. Get the fuck out of here.”

  She stormed past Andrew, actively barging into him, before shoving Jackson aside and heading into Caitlyn’s room. The door slammed behind her. Jackson watched through the window as Antoinette leaned over her daughter’s bed, stroking her hair. Caitlyn was still asleep. Jackson could only hope she woke up and protest about her mother being there.

  Jackson turned back to Andrew. He looked like a lost child, staring at the floor. It made Jackson want to hug him. He settled for touching his arm.

  “Let’s go. Harry needs your statement.”

  For a moment, he didn’t think Andrew heard him. But then Andrew let out a heavy sigh and nodded, allowing Jackson to lead him toward the elevator.

  Chapter Three

  “Jackson.”

  Jackson looked up. He had been sitting in the lobby of the police station, trying to resist the urge to get up and pace around. From the way the desk sergeant had been looking at him, Jackson was sure he would be questioned as to why he had blood all over his clothes. And with the aggravated drunk idiots coming in to be booked into the cells, Jackson didn’t want any further problems.

  Harry was standing over him. His brother looked exhausted. Jackson stood and the two brothers embraced.

  “How’s Caitlyn?”

  “Sleeping. Just needed stitches.” Jackson stepped back. “Lots of bed rest and she’ll recover.”

  Harry’s shoulders slumped.

  “Thank God for that. Although I’m not sure if she would get any rest with Antoinette about.”

  “Caitlyn’s an adult now. She can choose where she wants to recover.”

  “Antoinette won’t stand for it.”

  “She won’t have a choice.” Jackson looked toward the squad room. He could see Andrew sitting at a desk at the far end of the room. “Has Andrew finished giving his statement?”

  “They’re just finishing it off.” Harry raised his eyebrows. “I take it you’re giving him a lift?”

  “Back to the site so Andrew can get his bike.” Jackson couldn’t take his eyes off Andrew. He was like a coiled spring in his chair. “He looks ready to snap.”

  “I would be if I saw my kid being stabbed.”

  Jackson didn’t respond to that. Harry looked pretty much the same. His emotions regarding Caitlyn were getting easier to notice.

  “Have you got any leads on the attacker?” He asked.

  “None of the girls realized it was going to happen, but you saw the way they were around Caitlyn and her friends.”

  “It was a planned attack with a pack.” Jackson said grimly. “They went there to jump her.”

  “Tina Marko, the girl who stabbed Caitlyn, was the one who started it all. She looked like she was in charge.”

  “But to stab Caitlyn after being told off over Andrew? That’s way over the top, even for a teenager.”

  “I think she wanted to get one up on Caitlyn.”

  “Even so, that’s extreme.” Jackson couldn’t begin to count the amount of times kids had come into the emergency room when he was filling in, stabbed or jumped and beaten to a pulp. It was disgusting, in his opinion. “Those girls went as a pack for a fight. If they hadn’t, this wouldn’t have happened.”

  “I know.” Harry ran his hands through his hair. “This is a fucking mess. We did bad things as teenagers, but we never tried to kill someone.”

  “Mom and Dad would have killed us if we did.” Jackson grunted. Then he saw Harry looking at him strangely. “What?”

  “You’re bleeding. There’s blood on your head.”

  “What?” Jackson checked his head, but he couldn’t find any wounds. “It must be from Caitlyn. The blood seemed to be everywhere.”

  “You need to stop running your hands through your hair.”

  “It’s why I cut my hair. Guess I forgot.” Jackson made a mental note to have a shower. “Does Tina have biker affiliations? A dad or uncle in a gang?”

  “No, her dad’s a bookkeeper and her mom’s a law clerk.”

  “Not exactly the type of family home I was expecting.”

  “Neither was I.” Harry sighed, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “We’re still looking into everything, but nothing is coming up right now.”

  Jackson hoped something would turn up soon. This was going to tear Andrew apart. Two bombshells within minutes had to be horrific for him. Now Jackson was feeling guilty for mentioning the hospital visits.

  “I wish I never said anything about Charlie and Billy now.”

  “You didn’t know, and I’m surprised the kids didn’t say anything.”

  “Antoinette has them scared somehow.”

  “That wouldn’t surprise me.” Harry frowned. “What I am surprised about is that child protective services haven’t investigated or spoken to Andrew about it.”

  “Harry, Antoinette is trying to wipe Andrew out of existence. Her claiming Andrew broke Charlie’s arm when they haven’t seen each other in a month would be a hard stretch, anyway.”

  “I know that.” Harry shook his head.
He looked worn out. “I’m going to put a call in to my friend in CPS, see if they have anything on Antoinette. We’ll open a file on her if not. Antoinette won’t be able to move or sneeze without them knowing.”

  “Let’s hope not.” Jackson said grimly. “Caitlyn can leave, but Billy and Charlie can’t.”

  His mind flashed back to when Charlie had been in his cubicle crying as Jackson and the doctor put his arm in a cast. Antoinette had been hovering over him, sneering at Jackson. Jackson had held Charlie’s hand on the way to x-ray while his mother went into a corner and used her cell phone. The boy had been terrified and kept looking at his mother, but Antoinette practically ignored him.

  Jackson had seen many disinterested mothers, but this was the worst. It made him sick to witness this.

  “Jackson.” Harry was watching him closely. “Don’t get in too deep with this.”

  “You mean much like you have?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Come off it, Harry. I’ve seen the way you look at Caitlyn. She’s Andrew’s kid, for fuck’s sake!”

  Harry’s jaw tightened.

  “That’s my business.”

  “And anything you’re implying is mine.” Jackson faced his brother down. “I’m going to be fine. I’m not stupid.”

  Harry grunted.

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that last part.”

  Chapter Four

  The moment Andrew finished his statement, he knew where he wanted to go. Back to the hospital. Antoinette could scream bloody murder, for all he cared, but Andrew was not leaving. He needed to make sure his daughter was okay. Jackson didn’t argue with him, driving him back to the hospital in silence.

  Antoinette was not around when they came back, and initially the doctor was reluctant to let Andrew in. With Antoinette being the only person on Caitlyn’s file and her threats of filing complaints, he was about to ban Andrew from the hospital. But after Jackson pointed out that Caitlyn was eighteen and it was her decision after it was said and done, suggesting they spoke to her, the doctor backed down.