Beautiful Outlaw by Emily Minton

My Savior

Shay

My eyes nearly slide shut while I listen to Dad talking to Jeremy in the background.  He called my brother from his cell while talking to me on the house phone. He let me know that Jeremy was in Rich Hill, and that he and Bowie were coming to get me. I just don’t know if it will be quick enough. 

I can hear a mumbled, ”Be careful,” before he’s back on the line with me.  “That man of yours and Jeremy are on their way inside now.  You should be out of that room in just a minute.”

Knowing that if I don’t stay awake I won’t be able to open the door for them, I force myself to sit up straighter.  “Good, I’m ready to get out of here.”

“I’m sure you are,” he says before asking, “Are you sure it’s just your ribs?”

Still tasting blood, I know the answer is no.  I don’t want to lie to Dad, but I do anyway.  “Yeah, that’s all.  Well, I do have a few bumps and bruises.”

“You’re just like your mom,” Dad says, bringing up a picture of Mom in my mind.  “She thought she could lie to me and get away with it too.”

“I’m okay, Daddy.  I swear it.  Just sore and tired.” So damn tired that I’m not sure I’ll be able to force myself to stay awake.

I hear him take a deep breath before he says, “You remind me more of Chelsea every day.”

“I may look like her, but she always said I acted just like you.” If I had the energy, I would laugh over how many times I had heard her say I was just like Dad.  Of course, she only said it when I had gotten in trouble.

His gentle laugh comes through the phone, overshadowing the pain I feel.  His next words send a wave of warmth through my body.  “She was wrong, sweetheart.   You’re an exact replica of your mother, inside and out.”

“I miss her, Daddy,” I whisper out as tears fall down my cheeks.  “I miss her every day, every hour.”

“I do too, Laura.”

I can hear the sadness in his voice, and that brings on a new batch of tears.  “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for her.”

“But you were.  You were with her every day. Don’t doubt that.” 

I wasn’t, though.  First, Marcus kept me away.  Then, I let my own fear rule me.  Spending my time hiding from him, I missed the last few months of my mother’s life.  Before I can deny his words, I hear the sound of banging footsteps and gunshots.  A second later, Bowie is shouting my name.  “Open the door, baby.”

I let out a strangled cry, not from pain but relief. I knew he would come, knew he would save me. “He’s here.”

His fists bang on the door as he shouts out, “It’s safe, now. Let me in.”

“Is that Jeremy?” Dad asks into the phone.

Pushing myself off the floor, I whisper, “No, it’s Bowie.”

He continues pounding on the door, still screaming,  “Open the door, Shay.”

“I’m coming,” I say as loudly as I can before stepping away from the wall.  A moment of dizziness overtakes me, and I almost fall down.  Nearly dropping the phone, I reach out and grab the wall.  When my head finally clears, I take a step forward. 

Realizing I’m still holding the phone and my dad is on the other end, I do my best to soothe his worries.  “I’m okay now, Daddy. Bowie saved me.” Not waiting for a reply from him, I drop the phone and walk to the door. 

It seems to take forever to reach it, each step causing more pain.  My vision blurs, black spots dancing in front of me, as I reach the door.  Not thinking, I reach for the handle.  It doesn’t turn, causing me to shout out in frustration. 

I’m about to fall to the floor, when I see the key pad beside the door.  Stepping toward it, I use what little strength I have left to push the green button- DISARM.  I step back just as the lock disengages.  A second later, Bowie pushes the door open.  His eyes search the room before landing on me.  Then, he is at my side and pulling me into his arms.  His sudden embrace causes me to scream out in pain.

“Where are you hurt?” he ask, quickly letting me go. 

I don’t have time to reply before I start to fall. He catches me, causing even more pain to wrack through my body.  “Are you okay, baby?”

I try to force my lips to move as I shake my head no.  “It hurts so bad.”

“We’ll get you fixed up. I promise.” He places a soft kiss on my forehead before swinging me up into his arms and rushing from the room. 

Before we reach the stairs, I see my brother standing over Marcus.  Blood is pouring from both of his legs, but other than that he seems fine, fine enough to be threatening Jeremy.  “I will have your badge for this.”

Jeremy brings his foot down on Marcus’s bloodied leg, bringing his threats to an end, then turns to look at me.  “Are you okay, sis?”

“I am now,” I whisper out, trying my best to smile. 

My brother smiles back, lifting two fingers to his chest and tapping them against his heart.  He then turns to Bowie and asks, “I have a few questions for him, but what do you want me to do with this bastard after I’m done?”

I know the question is not for me, though, and I know Bowie will make sure he’ll never hurt me or anyone else again, so I let my eyes fall closed. 

Just as the darkness starts to take me once again, Bowie answers.  “Keep him alive til I get back.”