Sanctuary, page 9
She shifted restlessly, and without thinking, I placed my hand in hers once again. Her fingers spread, and I slipped mine through hers. Almost instantly, she sighed and dropped back into a deep, restful sleep. Smiling, I watched her for a few more minutes until it was difficult to keep my eyes open…
My phone vibrating in my pocket jerked me awake. Frowning, I opened my eyes to find Nishia had shifted in her sleep. Or maybe I’d subconsciously pulled her close, but her head was pillowed on my arm, and I had her tucked against me. Lifting my head, I saw that her leg was still propped up on the pillows, but she’d twisted the rest of her body to mold against mine.
Without considering what I was doing, I pressed a kiss to the top of her head before fishing my phone from my pocket when it wouldn’t stop vibrating.
Seeing it was Ben, I mentally cursed. I was so damn comfortable, and I didn’t want to risk waking Nishia, but as early as it was, Ben wouldn’t have called me without a reason. Unable to stop myself, I kissed her forehead and then carefully extracted myself from her bed.
Once I was out in the hall with the apartment door closed behind me, I finally answered. “What is it?”
“Arizona State Police have two men in custody who might be of interest in Nishia Cohen’s case. They were driving a van similar in description to the one that was in the feed from the security cameras on Sanctuary’s gate. I’ve had a nationwide BOLO on the vehicle and possible occupants.”
I felt all the darkness and rage inside me pushing through the peace I’d experienced from sleeping beside Nishia all night, and I clenched my free hand into a fist. “What do the cops know about the men?”
“Other than their criminal records, the ASP doesn’t know shit about them. But their history speaks for itself. One recently got out of Sing Sing for abduction of a minor, sexual assault, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. All those charges and he was only in for fifteen years, and he got out after five for good behavior. That is suspicious as fuck,” Ben grumbled. “The other guy has been in and out of the prison system for petty larceny, assault, and a few other domestic violence charges. He’s been out for two years, but his parole officer hasn’t been able to reach him in over a month.”
“Is there any way we can get them back to Creswell Springs?”
“Your friend Mieke was able to access CCTV feeds that prove the van they were driving is the one that dropped Nishia at Sanctuary. But unless we can get some solid proof these two were the ones responsible for the condition she was in, then there isn’t much to justify getting them extradited back here.”
“Fuck,” I muttered, wanting to punch something.
“Hypothetically, if they were released and someone was there to escort the bastards back this way of their own volition, I could find a reason to arrest them. Hypothetically, if they made bail and someone was there to greet them when they stepped outside, and they never made it back for their court date, I don’t think anyone would question it too hard. At least not in Arizona. Their POs might have a few questions, but they are overworked and underfunded. Hypothetically, no one would come looking for them to place them back in the system.”
“Where exactly in Arizona are they being held?”
“Your friend Mieke has already sent you the details,” Ben informed me. “This is as far as our conversation goes on this subject, Jack. I’ll up patrols around Sanctuary for the next few days.”
He hung up before I could, but I was already pulling up Max’s contact in my call history.
“Morning, cuz,” he said with a yawn. “Heard there was some fun at Hannigans’ last night. I’m almost sorry I missed it.”
“I need a favor,” I said without preamble.
There was a brief pause on his end before he grunted. “Yeah, cuz. You know I have your back. How long will we be gone?”
“A few days, maybe longer. We’re going to need to fly, though.”
“Fuck. Yeah, fine. I’m still down for whatever you need help with.”
“Thanks, brother. I’ll let my dad know what’s up, and I’ll get the tickets. I need to make a few more calls before we leave, but be ready to go by this afternoon.”
“This have anything to do with that girl who got dropped at Sanctuary?”
“I’ll let you know the flight time,” I told him instead of answering and ended the call.
My next call was to Mieke, but I didn’t want anyone to overhear what I told her, so I went down to my apartment. Twenty minutes later, I had two seats booked and was packing my bag while I spoke to my dad.
“We’ve got some friends that way,” Dad told me. “I’ll give them a call and let them know you and Max will be in town. You need anything, you let them know. Stay safe, son. But do whatever it is you feel needs doing. I’ll cover security at Sanctuary and make sure your Nishia is safe.”
I stood up straighter at him calling Nishia mine. Fuck, I liked that too damn much.
“I have to go, Dad,” I muttered.
“Don’t get yourself dead, boy,” he grumbled. “And if you get arrested, remember you have the best defense attorney in the state.”
“Yeah, I love you too, Dad.”
Pocketing my phone, I picked up my bag and walked upstairs. Leaving the piece of luggage by the front door, I went back to Nishia’s apartment and knocked. Instead of hearing her tell me to come in, I stepped back as someone opened the door.
“Jack!” The nurse from the day before greeted me with a huge grin on her face. “I thought you would still be in bed at this hour.”
“Is Nishia awake?” I asked, stepping forward and forcing her to move aside so I could enter the apartment.
“Yes, I was just bringing her morning medications.”
I could see the bed from the entrance and saw that Nishia was sitting up on the edge. Still dressed in the pajamas she’d had on when I’d arrived after work and her hair adorably tousled, she looked half asleep, but her brows were furrowed, and she looked up at me with a glimmer in her blue eyes I didn’t understand.
“Hi,” she mumbled through her wired jaw and shifted her gaze to the other side of the bed where I’d slept. Quickly, she averted her eyes to the pillows and then the nightstand with the clock on it.
Behind me, the nurse stopped at my side, and I shifted away from her, not liking her to be so close. Frowning down at the woman in bright scrubs, I nodded toward the door. “If you’re finished with the meds, you should check on the other residents who need medical assistance.”
Her smile dimmed. “Oh, I was on my way out. Do you need anything?”
“I’m not a patient,” I reminded her. “You shouldn’t concern yourself with me.”
“R-right,” she stuttered. “Well, I’ll see you later, then. Nishia, if you need anything, let me or one of the other nurses know.”
“Thanks,” Nishia whispered, watching the other woman leave.
After the door closed behind her, I crossed to where Nishia was sitting and crouched down in front of her. Taking her uninjured hand, I used my other hand to tilt her head so she had to meet my gaze. “I have to go away for a few days.”
Her eyes widened behind her glasses. “Why?”
“Something came up, and I have to take care of it personally.” I didn’t want to lie to her, but I didn’t want her to be upset, thinking about the men who had hurt her either. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I want you to know that you’ll be safe while I’m gone. My dad will be staying here, maybe one or two of my MC brothers if he’s needed elsewhere. My mom will be by every day. If there is anything you need, just tell one of my parents or Marcy. They can reach me—”
“I’m going to miss you,” she whispered, pulling back so I was no longer touching her face.
“Not nearly as much as I’ll miss you, little fairy,” I confessed. “I have a surprise coming for you today. I wish I could be here to give it to you myself, but either Marcy or my mom will bring it to you instead.”
“I don’t want a gift.” Her fingers squeezed mine. “I just want you to be safe.”
“I promise I won’t do anything that could risk me not coming back to you,” I vowed. “You just rest and concentrate on getting stronger. When I get back—”
“Swear you’re coming back.” Her blue eyes looked like sapphires behind her glasses. Tears filled them, but she blinked them back. “Swear you’ll come back…to me.”
I cupped the side of her face, pleased when she didn’t flinch at my touch. “I swear, little fairy.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
nishia
I was still fighting tears long after Jack left me still sitting on the bed. This helpless feeling that seemed to constantly press on me whenever he wasn’t near had started to piss me off, but I couldn’t seem to stop it.
Being the damsel in distress wasn’t me. I’d never had the privilege of someone else being in my corner, helping me fight against the world and all it wanted to throw at me. My entire life, there had been me and only me, even on the odd occasions when my mother wasn’t high off her ass, I was still the only one who fought for my own survival.
That those fucking shadows had turned me into some frightened little girl was enough to make me want to throw something out the window.
Preferably Nurse Amy.
She’d woken me up by shaking my arm. I hadn’t heard her knock, not even her footsteps as she’d entered my apartment uninvited. It might have been her job to give me my meds on time, but everyone had told me I was entitled to my privacy, damn it. If I didn’t tell them it was okay to enter, then they had no business being in my room, even if it was time to give me an injection or make me drink some rancid-tasting shot of water mixed with whatever medication I needed.
Ugh, I couldn’t wait until the doctor unwired my jaw and I didn’t have to drink everything through a freaking straw. At least with soup, I could pretend as if I didn’t look like some supervillain out to destroy humankind.
After being startled awake, I’d been disappointed to find Jack no longer in bed beside me. At least he’d been kind enough to stay with me until I fell asleep. But it still made my chest ache that he hadn’t been there beside me when I opened my eyes. Then Amy had poked me in the hip with an anti-inflammatory injection, all while gushing over and over about Jack and how perfect he was.
She didn’t need to sing his praises to me. I knew exactly how wonderful he was. And the only thing that kept me from snipping at her about it was that he hadn’t even known her name when we’d talked about her the preceding day.
That had put me in a somewhat better mood until Jack had knocked on the apartment door, and Amy skipped off to answer it.
I had no clue where Jack was going and didn’t have the guts to ask, but I missed him even before the door closed behind him.
No sooner was he gone than Marcy was there with Gracie to help me to breakfast.
The kitchen was bustling with other women as they helped cook and plate the food. There was a huge table where a few kids and several other women sat. As soon as I entered the room with Gracie on one side and Marcy on the other, everyone went quiet.
Every pair of eyes that landed on me was full of understanding and concern, to the point that I found it hard to swallow. But then Molly jumped up from the table and bounced over to me. “Good morning, Nishia! Mr. Jack told me to take good care of you for him while he’s gone. Are you hungry? Thirsty? He said your favorite is orange juice for breakfast, and you like lemon-lime soda in the afternoon. Mr. Hawk is going to bring extra cases of it later just for you.”
While the child spoke a mile a minute, Gracie and Marcy helped me over to the table where I was able to sit down.
“This is my mommy,” Molly said as she plopped beside a woman who sat quietly at the table with a haunted look in her eyes that made me want to reach out to hug her. “Mommy, this is Nishia. Mr. Jack’s bestest friend.”
Gracie laughed softly as she brushed her hand over my hair. “She’s not wrong,” the older woman murmured low enough for my ears only. “I think you really are my son’s best friend. You definitely bring out a different side to him I’ve never seen before.”
Warmth exploded in my chest, and I was able to relax a little in the room full of other women. As everyone introduced themselves, I realized that we all had at least one thing in common—we shared the same kind of trauma. It was evident in the way most of them nervously glanced around from time to time, even though they tried to keep busy so they didn’t show their anxiety.
“If Molly gets to be too much, just send her back to our apartment,” Sandra said quietly halfway through the meal. “Jack is so good with her, but honestly, she tests even my patience at times, and I’m her mother.”
“She’s fine,” I assured the other woman with a grim smile, not wanting to show my teeth in case the wires scared her. The few times I’d caught her looking at my mouth, she’d flinched, as if the sight of the aftermath of my beating caused her pain. Or perhaps she was reliving her own nightmares. I wondered if she had shadows who haunted her like mine did me. “I actually enjoy her company.”
“Molly is special,” her mother said, lowering her gaze to her plate. She’d barely touched her breakfast, even though there hadn’t been much to begin with. She’d only taken a half scoop of eggs and a single slice of bacon, despite there being plenty to go around. Meanwhile, I had a protein shake that I’d been slurping through a straw while my stomach growled angrily at the wonderful scent of bacon. “I don’t know how she was able to recover from what happened with her father so quickly. Meanwhile, I’m…”
A pretty blonde beside Sandra carefully touched her arm. Sandra flinched but didn’t pull away. “Kids are resilient,” she said with a small smile of reassurance. “Molly is young enough that what happened will only be a vague memory one day. If she’s lucky, she’ll think it was just a bad dream she once had. What’s important right now is getting you better for her.”
“Molly can visit with me as often as she wants,” I told her mother. “Or as often as you need her to.”
“Th-thank you,” Sandra whispered.
Before I could reply, Gracie stood at the end of the table. “Looks like everyone is getting to know our Nishia,” she said with a beaming smile. “Thanks for helping her feel at home here, ladies. One of the things we’ve learned over the years here at Sanctuary, is that it takes a village. Whether that is raising a child or getting back on our feet or simply making it from one day to the next. Nishia, sweetheart, these women will become like family if you allow them into your heart. You won’t find more loyal or reliable people than those at this table.”
“Because we all know what it’s like,” the blonde beside Sandra spoke up. It took me a moment, because there were so many other names to remember, but I recalled someone calling her Suzanne. “Surviving is the first big step, but it’s also a bitch slap to the assholes who hurt us. Every morning, I wake up and tell myself he didn’t win. Every night before I fall asleep, I remind myself that I beat him. I won. And the fact that karma got him in the end always leaves a smile on my face as I drift off.”
“Karma?” I wondered aloud.
Suzanne picked up her mug of coffee. “His brakes failed, and he hit a tree. Of course, he was drunk. Like always. He was dead on impact. Bastard is burning in hell as we speak.”
“Mine killed himself,” Sandra muttered, meeting my gaze for only a moment before quickly looking back at her plate. “Got into a fight at the bar before coming home and hanging himself.”
“Mine drowned during a fishing trip,” another woman spoke up. “As you can tell, Nishia, our husbands were all alcoholics. Without us there to be their punching bags, they drank even more and paid the price in the end. My ex was so drunk he wrecked his boat and drowned. They still haven’t found his body—and probably never will. The only good thing that came from any of their deaths was we got their life insurance money.”
“But you still stay at Sanctuary?” I asked curiously.
“I don’t know about the others,” Suzanne answered. “But Sanctuary feels like my home. That’s something I never truly felt until I came here. I have a safe place to sleep at night with the comfort of knowing Jack won’t allow anyone through those gates who might harm me. And these women are my friends, family…sisters.”
Many of the others nodded in agreement, and I began to understand what kept them there. Sanctuary wasn’t simply a shelter. It was a home, a safe haven, a community of women who were able to rely on one another to make it through their traumas together.
After spending my entire life relying only on myself, I didn’t know how to respond to that kind of acceptance. But I knew that I didn’t want to walk away from it.
Even if I was given the option, I wouldn’t go back to New York.
Especially when Jack was at Sanctuary.
No one would ever willingly walk away from him.
“A package was just delivered,” Amy announced as she walked into the kitchen. She held a small Priority box in one hand and frowned at the label. “It says it’s for Jack.”
“Oh, I’ll take that, Amy,” Gracie said as she stepped forward to grasp the box from the nurse’s hands. But instead of opening it, she placed the box on the table beside me. “This is for you, sweetie.”
Wiping my mouth with a napkin in case I had the protein shake on my lips, I picked up the small box with my good hand. It did have Jack’s name on it and what I could only assume was Sanctuary’s physical address.
“Here, hon.” Marcy offered me a box cutter she pulled from a utility drawer.
Thanking her, I carefully sliced through the tape and then lifted the flaps to find an iPhone box inside. Eyes huge, I carefully pulled it out, nearly missing the smaller package beneath. Placing the phone on the table, I grasped the other item and felt tears sting my eyes.
