Finding Me (The Bad Boy Series) by S.K. Hartley Read Free Book Online Page B

eyes. Neva is unconscious, that much I know. I know she needs to go to the hospital, but I'm not ready to let go of her yet.
    "I'll carry her," I say, pulling her closer so I can get my balance to stand up.
    The paramedic doesn't protest, it's clear I'm not leaving her side. Thank god. I manage to get to my feet with her in my arms. Her fragile body lulls against my chest. My heartbeat is wild and frantic as we walkout of the house, but I feel grounded by her heart beating steadily against my chest.
    The sun had set since entering the house, leaving the sky a beautiful mixture of reds, pinks and purples. As I walk out of the house, I spot all of the cars outside. It looks like the entire police force responded. From the corner of my eye, I spot Jack being put into the back of an ambulance in cuffs, his son getting into a separate one.
    "Oh, my god. Baby girl."
    Tate Is quickly by my side as I make my way over to the ambulance that will take her to the hospital, the pain of what he is seeing evident on his face. Jesus, he looks completely fucking broken. Standing at the back of the ambulance, I haul us both into the back. Placing Neva on the gurney, I stumble back as paramedics go to work on her. They insert IV drips, and place an oxygen mask on her face.
    I can feel my world crumbling as I try to stand up straight. My hand lands on a flat surface, the only thing keeping me up right.
    "Sir? Will you be coming with her?"
    I flick my gaze to Tate, who looks like he's about to fucking break into millions of pieces. Before I can even get the words out that I want him in the back with her, he shakes his head.
    "No, you go. I need to call Mom." His features are hard, even though I know this isn't going to be easy for him. His relationship with his mom is hard, it has been for a long time.
    "Tate, she is your sister," I protest. I want to be in the ambulance with her, but it's not my place.
    "And you’re the man she loves," he whispers, pulling out his phone and making a call. "Go," he mouths at me.
    She loves me?
    "Sir, we need to go. Now," the paramedic says, breaking my thoughts.
    Suddenly, I am in a seat next to Neva's still body, and we are moving; I can hear the sirens, and feel the speed as we make our way to the hospital. The paramedic fires questions at me, like who is her next of kin? What is her date of birth? I answer them just as quickly, not once taking my eyes off her.
    Her hand twitches, and for a minute, I think she can understand what's going on. I don't want her to be afraid, I want her to be strong. I throw off my seat-belt and get onto my knees on the floor of the ambulance. My hands automatically move to her face.
    Gently, I lay my palms on her cheeks and whisper,"I love you. I know you're scared right now, but I am here. I will protect you, Neva. Please don't be afraid, I've got you. When you get better, we are going to go somewhere. Just us, no one else. No more demons, no more fears. Just us. I will fight for you, in every way."
     
    "Dude, how is she?" Tate's voice broke its way through my thoughts, I didn't even hear him come in. Leaning forward, I rubbed my eyes and look up at Tate.
    Shit, it still amazes me just how much Tate and Neva look alike, and they both unmistakably look like Lorena. Not everyone can see it, Neva has her dad's eyes and dark hair, but other than, she was her mother all over. Beautiful. Tate and Neva shared the same facial features, but mainly the same smile. I had been around them for so long, but it's still hard not to notice it.
    "The same, they gave her some more pain meds so she could sleep," I said quietly, as if trying not to wake her.
    Tate sighed and placed a can of Red Bull in my hand, giving me a tight smile before standing at Neva's bedside.
    "Oh, baby girl." Tate struggled, his voice cracking slightly as he took his sister's swollen and bruised hand in his.
    My fingers flexed around the can in my hand; these people were my family, my friends and when someone hurt them,