One of the men knelt beside me as I clung to Charlie. He had light brown hair and round, gold-rimmed glasses. He looked Charlie over with a very concerned expression before he looked up and met my tear-filled eyes. His face softened.
“Ma’am. Please, let me help. I am his assistant. We can get him to the hospital faster than an ambulance and get him the best care.”
I felt the fear in me rise up. What if they took him and I never saw Charlie again? My gut told me that these men were from his former life—again, that part of his life reared its head. But what choice did I have?
He laid his hand on my arm. “Please let us help.”
His voice was so soft and sounded sincere.
I looked down at Charlie and the blood that flowed under my fingers. I was torn about what to do. I knew he needed emergency care, but I also knew that these men might take him from me for good.
Alan put his hand on my shoulder. “Let them take him. It’s the only hope.”