BROKEN COURAGE (Broken Redemption Book 3)

Chapter 29

Lucas

Shortly after, we emerge from the cave. Though she's quiet now, her tears haven't stopped, and she clings to me like her life depends on it. I can tell Ben is desperate to comfort the little girl he's known far longer than I have, but he holds back, which I appreciate. I'm not ready to share her yet. After today, I don't know how I'll ever tear myself away from her again.

Will must have called for help, for when we reach the end of the trail, two EMTs are waiting for us. When Mallory sees them, she starts to cry, and when they reach for her, she lets out a scream that has me pulling her away with a growl.

"No. Don't you dare touch her."

"Lucas, she's injured," Will pleads.

I look down at the little girl in my arms, suddenly noticing the blood running down the side of her face.

How did I miss this?

She's hurt.

My God, she's hurt!

At the realization, a sob catches in my throat. Not even ten minutes since finding her, and I'm already failing her.

"It's alright." Ben lays a hand on my back. "She's okay, Luc. She's awake, alert, and responding to you. Let's get her to the parking lot, where you can help her feel more comfortable." Then, turning to Will and the paramedics, he adds, "An extra few minutes won't hurt her."

Five minutes later, we're at the back of an ambulance. Laying my little girl on the gurney as she begs me not to let her go is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. When one paramedic forcibly holds her down to keep her from flailing, I lose my composure and shove him aside.

"No. Stop. Don't fucking touch her." The moment she realizes I'm there, she reaches for me, literally climbing up my arms as if it's the only place she feels safe. Her trust in me is humbling and something I vow to never take for granted. "There's got to be a better way than holding her down and adding to her trauma. Figure it out or I'll take her to the hospital myself."

That's how I find myself lying on a gurney with a terrified little girl in my arms. The tremors that wrack through her body as the paramedics take her vitals break my heart, but at least she's quiet, as with tears in her eyes she lets them work. She has quite a large gash on her forehead, along with abrasions on her legs and the palms of her hands. As the medics work, they try to set her at ease by talking to her in soothing tones. She doesn't acknowledge them, not even when they ask her questions about where she's feeling pain. She hasn't communicated since we found her, not even the head nod that is typical of her. It's concerning.

Right now, she's just lying on me, attempting to hide her face in my chest even though the position she's in doesn't allow it. Her eyes are closed and her breaths are fast and choppy. Her hands grip my arms with enough force that her little nails are digging into my skin—no doubt drawing blood—but I refuse to do anything to stop her. I deserve it. Whatever she needs, I'll never deny her. Her happiness and safety are the only things that matter to me now.

When we make it to the hospital, against the medic's wishes, I carry her inside. After their attempt at restraining her, I refuse to let anyone take her from me. As doctors and nurses rush into the exam room we've been assigned, Mallory begins to cry again. If not for the large knot swelling on her head and the trail of blood oozing from the gash in the middle of it, I would send them away, but she needs medical treatment. After all of this, I need reassurance that she's going to be okay.

A few minutes later, the female doctor—Doctor Harper, I believe—turns to me. "Mr. Holt. Aside from the bump on her head, her other injuries seem minor. Given we're not sure if she lost consciousness, I'd like to order a CT scan to rule out a head injury. We'll need a parent to authorize the sedation and from what I understand, Mom isn't available. Is there another parent? Anyone else who could sign the consent forms?"