“You got it. I’ll call the ambulance and cops on my way there. Hold on, buddy. We’ll get her taken care of.”
“Thanks, man,” he said. He’d never felt so grateful for his friends as he did at that moment.
“Anytime,” Jessie said.
He sat back down next to her and ran his thumb over her cheek. When her eyelids fluttered open, he tried to smile. “I’ll take care of you, pequeña. I’m sorry it took so long for me to get here.”
“I’m just glad you’re here now.”
Several minutes later, he heard the commotion at the front door, and then Amber’s mother screech to get out.
Cesar went to the door and opened it to see paramedics, a cop, and a few of his friends head his way down the hallway.
“This way, guys.”
All the lights were turned on.
“Be careful. She fell down the steps. She’s complaining about her whole body aching but especially her ribs.”
“We have questions, sir.”
Cesar nodded at the cop. “I know. I used to be a cop in Chicago, so I know the drill. Can it wait until we get her to the hospital? I’ll tell you everything I can, and she can tell you the rest when she’s able.”
“That’s fine.”
“Cesar?” Amber cried out.
“I’m right here, pequeña.” Cesar pulled back the covers and made sure the robe was secure before stepping back and letting the paramedics check her over and take her stats.
“Her blood pressure is extremely low, and she’s dehydrated. We need to get her to the hospital as quickly as possible.”
Cesar gritted his teeth when she cried out as the two men rolled her enough to get the backboard under her. They secured her to it and then lifted her onto the gurney.
Cesar grabbed one of their bags and followed them out of the bedroom.
Between him, the paramedics, and the cop, they carried the gurney down the stairs and out the front door.
Cesar was about ready to lose it when he saw Amber’s mother and sister with fury in their eyes instead of concern and yelling how they were going to sue because they broke into the house.
He was glad Jessie, Draven, and Eli stood between him and the women because he was so angry he had no idea what he’d do.
He stopped even with them and looked over Eli’s shoulder at them. “There’s a chance she could die, ladies. And I guarantee if that fucking happens, I will have you prosecuted and put away for life.”
“What!” her sister shrieked.
“As of now, I’m going to have the cops press charges against you for negligence for not getting her the medical attention she needs.”
The women screamed at him as he walked away.
Once outside, he heard Amber crying.
One of the paramedics waved him over. “Hey, man, she needs you. We’ll have to sedate her if she doesn’t settle down.”
He nodded at the paramedic. “I’ll get her calm.” He jumped into the back of the ambulance and took her hand.
“Amber, pequeña, it’s Cesar.”
She turned her head. “I’m scared.”