Adaline was never meant to survive the night she vanished into Melbourne's underworld. One wrong glance at Fantasia, and she's caged in silk and steel by Harry Styles, the city's most lethal kingpin.
He calls it protection.
She calls it a golden c...
"You're hurt - will you let me clean you up?" She doesn't react, and her stare is so distant I'm not entirely certain she heard me. "Please Addy, remember to blink once for yes or twice for no, baby." I repeat the instructions and her eyes lazily shift back to me.
"Good girl." I lean heavily into the praise in hopes that the Addy I know is still in there will react. "You're doing so well. Just this one last question ok, then I'll just talk you through the rest and you can blink if you need my attention." She finally focuses and meets my eyes and slowly and deliberately blinks once.
That's all I need and I immediately begin to make a better plan; I am desperate to check her over and make sure she's not hiding anything life threatening. My hands drift to her shoulder and leg and start gently trying to get her used to my touch.
"Ok first thing; we're going to have to move." This gets a reaction, although I instantly wish it hadn't and resent the relief I feel at seeing it. Her head drops to the side as fear and pain flash across her face. She knows it's going to hurt and I am reminded of my concern for her ribs.
Just as I'm internally cursing Matt and Eli for their tardiness I hear the ding of the elevator doors. In reality it's impressive they managed to arrive so soon, but I am not being governed by rationality right now.
"Bossman! The cavalry has arriv-" I can hear the second Matt lays eyes on Addy. And when Eli follows seconds after it's as if all the warmth and air is sucked from the room. Addy flinches away from their sudden intrusion.
"Hey hey," I soothe her gently, "it's just Matt and Eli. I called them for help. I'm going to just go talk to them and I'll be right back." She doesn't acknowledge what I've said in any way and I reluctantly stand and walk over to the two men, wearing matching horrified expressions, standing in my living room.
"Evan?" Matt asks in a voice so dark and menacing it doesn't even sound like him.
I nod sharply and Eli exhales a furious breath. He takes one long look at her small, broken form on the couch then turns and heads straight for the elevator. I don't know for certain that it was Evan, but the probability is too high to ignore.
"I'll have him in custody by morning, Boss." Eli's tone is ice cold.
"I want him un-spoiled. He doesn't deserve a quick death." Eli punches in his code and the elevator doors open instantly and its only once he's walked in and selected his floor that he turns and nods in response. I've only ever seen him like this once before; Evan has no idea what's coming for him.
Matt has the most medical training and experience out of the three of us and has already begun setting up a triage station on the kitchen island. He's yet to try and approach Addy and my best guess is that he's trying to reign in his temper before attempting to interact with her.
Once Matt has everything laid out he cautiously approaches me. "Harry, this looks bad. Like hospital bad." My stomach twists alarmingly at his words; for Matt to suggest that means he is truly worried and that is never a good sign.
If her bastard father wasn't such a wildcard I would not even hesitate - but public health records are easily obtained and there is no doubt in my mind that the man who has to power to erase her digital existance also has the ability to access and monitor it.
"If you think her injuries need it once you've looked at her we'll find an alternative."Matt reluctantly nods and shifts his attention to the broken girl. Steely resolve straightens my spine; I'm going to make every single person who ever thought to bring my Addy even the slightest hint of pain regret it.
As Shakespeare said: 'Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war!'
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