Page 72 (1/2)

Swaying slightly, he turned, seeking soave way The roar was still in his ears There was a pervading nu any pain Some small body latched itself to him He started to push it away

“Ty Oh,voice that finally penetrated his haze “Look at your poor face”

Impatiently he brushed aside the sht” His voice sounded harsh

“You’re not all right Just look at you,” she insisted

He looked, rather stupidly, at his torn shirt, splattered with blood, but Ty didn’t knohether it was his blood or so need for soe of his problem

“Co arht caramel head ducked under his arm

“Jessy?” He blinked, trying to see her through the fil his left eye

“It’s me,” she said

It was a tired and wry laugh Ty released “You always turn up when I need you,” heconscious of what he’d admitted

For an instant, Tara was too stunned by his bloodied and battered face to react when Jessy appeared and started leading Ty away Recovering, she followed quickly in their wake, irritated at the way her position had been usurped

With the fight broken up, there was a mild confusion in the place as o

fficers tried to separate the participants from the innocent onlookers One of the police the scene, but Jessy firmly informed the officer Ty would be upstairs in the owner’s private quarters if he was needed She had a way ofin his muscles, a painful throb, or Ty would have made a joke of her easy dismissal of the man

He had a gli the way to the private staircase in the rear, but all his concentration was centered on s work

A light itched on and he was led to a chair He sat down heavily After the first blows had hit hi to react to the punishainst the chair and let his head fall back, closing his eyes as the throbbing washed over his There was a sticky wetness on his face, and Ty reached up tiredly to wipe it away froers with exhausted recognition Soain, wanting only to rest

“I have to go downstairs,” Sally was saying “If you need anything else, just help yourself”