MC: LaPonte-Karr: Book Three Read Online Free PDF Page B

ever seen.  She wasn't allowed to make a noise even to cry.  I hold her head against my chest.  "It's ok Tess, I've got you.  You're safe now.  As soon as I find where my father took my mom she'll make sure you stay that way.  That's what she does.  She runs a center for women.  They'll help give you back your future.  She'll tell you better than I can.  We'll find her and she'll make sure you start living again."  She's so quiet with her crying I don't know if she's done or not.  I stop and look down at her.  She's just holding on looking up at me.
    "Are you real, I dreamed of you and another man, kind and gentle?"  Her voice is hoarse and she speaks so softly.
    My breath catches.  "Patches?"  I think I'm going to pass the fuck out.  I take a deep breath letting the air out slow.  My whole fuckin body breaks out in goose bumps.
    "Ally says you can do it."  She says.  What the fuck? 
    I breathe deep.  I need a fuckin minute for my brain to kick in.  "How do you know Ally?"  I barely get out.
    "She's in my dream.  She said you can do it, her grandmother told her she can help me." Her voice is so soft.  I want to believe I misheard her, but fuck, I know I heard her right.
    "Everything ok Rich?"  Pres asks me.  Tess closes her eyes.
    "I'm a little stunned Pres.  I got this."  I start walking again.  Trying to make what she said make sense any way but the one that I know it is.  I need Kate.  "Where's Kate?"  I ask him.
    "You're dad took her back to the room before she started a war."  He says laughing.  VP and Bob laugh with him.  "She's the gentlest woman I know until you fuck with her.  I watched her shred a cop for being a man and trying to take a report from a little girl when she asked for a woman cop.  She won't give up until Tess here is free to live again."  He says with a smile in his voice.
    I look down and she's looking at me with those fuckin big blue eyes, cornflower, is that what they call that color?  I'll have to ask Patches while we're in the store buying those fuckin tampons.  Where the fuck did cornflower come from?  We make it to the lobby.  "I'm taking her to my room; can you ask Kate to come talk with her?"
    "Brother, I'm not sure that's a good idea."  Pres says.
    I look at Tess.  Why the fuck not?  "Is it ok to take you to mine and Patches room?"
    "You won't hurt me?"  She asks sounding so small without all the outside noise.
    "No pretty Tess.  I want to make sure you don't get hurt again and I need to keep you with us in order to do that."  She nods.
    I take her to my room, Patches is waiting in the hall.  Pres must have called him.  I carry her in and put her on the bed.  "Patches this is Tess, she's going to be staying with us until we leave.  I promised her we would keep her safe."
    He sits on the side of her and touches her face.  "Hi Tess, I'm glad you made it."  She smiles and my breath catches.  Fuck.  My heart speeds up.  I go to the bathroom and get a drink just so I don't do something fuckin stupid.
    "If you tell me your size we can get you some clothes while Kate talks with you."  I tell her sitting on the side of Patches.
    "I don't know.  I never had clothes.  They gave me the dress a couple of days ago to sell me."  She says it so matter of fact. 
    "We'll figure it out Tess."  I have to look away.
    "Do you want to take a shower?  We can loan you something to wear until we get back."  Patches asks her.
    "Yes.  I haven't had a shower in a long time."  She looks hopeful.  Fuck.  "Can I still have clothes?"
    "Of course.  We'll get you a couple of days of clothes, one of the old ladies will take you shopping when we get home."  Patches says.
    "It's ok, I can keep these."  She says looking nervous.
    "You need clean clothes for every day Tess.  We'll make sure you have enough." I tell her.
    Her eyes get big.  "What do I have to do?"
    Fuck!  Patches looks at me.  "Tess you're free.  We don't own you.  We'll keep you safe