My self-worth is in the toilet again. That blanket of self-loathing is back, and it feels like I’ve regressed a few months.
It’d be easy to blame the dickhead, but this is all me. I’ve got to stop letting guys get to me so much. I need to develop thicker skin.
“I’m worried about you,” Kev says, still holding me against his chest.
I wriggle out of his arms, desperately needing to get a grip. “Don’t be. I’ll be fine. And you’re helping me enough.”
He looks pensive. “Does Faye know?”
I shake my head. “I told you. No one knows.”
His eyes soften. “I’m probably the last person you’d expect to suggest this, but what about speaking to a therapist? They are anonymous and they won’t judge.” I start shaking my head, but he continues on. “My brother was very reluctant too, but I know it’s helped him. It could help you too.”
I know Faye actively encouraged Ky to pursue therapy to help him deal with all that crap surrounding his bio dad, and she’s mentioned it several times to me over the years. She saw a therapist for years over the trauma arising from stuff that happened to her in school in Waterford, and she has spoken about how much it helped.
There were times when I really wanted to go speak to someone like that. Someone neutral who could help me make sense of what was happening. But I couldn’t speak to a therapist, because they’d involve the police, and it’d break my mother’s heart. I can’t do that to her. I can’t destroy her.
So I continue to keep his secret.
And hope that I’m strong enough to rise above my past.
I’ve got to be.
Because if I can’t put it behind me, he’s already claimed my future too.
Chapter Eleven
Brad
I haven’t stopped hugging her. I’m afraid to let her go in case she magically disappears. I’m still scared it isn’t real even though I know it is because her body is warm and comforting against mine. “I’ve missed you so much, Mom.” I crush her to me, her head barely meeting my chest.
“Oh, honey. We’ve all missed you so much. I’ve been so worried.” She manages to pry herself out of my clinging clutches. Both her hands move to my face, and she cups my cheeks firmly. “It’s great to see you looking so well. You’re all grown up. Look at you?” She steps back, casting an admiring glance over me. “So healthy. So handsome.” She grabs my hands in hers. “I’m so proud of you and happy you stuck to your goals. Not a day went by when I wasn’t thinking about you. Leaving you behind was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, and it was all so rushed, and I worried I didn’t impress on you enough that it was extremely difficult to go without you, but I didn’t want your father’s crimes to derail your future. I didn’t argue with your rationale because I loved you so much. I hope you know that.”
Although there were plenty of times, when I was depressed and upset, when I convinced myself Mom didn’t love me as much my sisters—how could she when she left me behind without much protest—I’m not admitting that now. I won’t add to her worries or her guilt. Deep down, I’ve always known my mother loves me. We’ve always been super close, and those times when I doubted her was only because I was hurting so much. Missing her so much. “I know, Mom. I’ve always known.”
A loud clatter at the entrance to the alleyway has her anxiously scanning her surroundings. I glance over my shoulder. “It’s okay. Someone just knocked over a trashcan.”
She gulps, pulling the hood of her jacket up over her head again. “Can we go somewhere to talk? Not your apartment. I don’t trust that you aren’t being watched.”
I don’t know if the Feds are still tailing me, but I’m not taking any chances. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.” I remove my cell and tap out a quick message to Ky. Even though we are barely even speaking, I know he won’t let me down.
I need ur help. Can u come get me?
The phone rings not even a minute later. I pick up, lowering my voice and cautiously looking around.
“What’s happened? Are you in trouble?” he asks, before I’ve even had a chance to speak.
“I’m fine, but I need you to come get me. It isn’t safe to explain over the phone. Come alone. As quick as you can.”
“I’m already on the move. Hang tight.”
“Kyler?” Mom whispers, and I nod.
We don’t talk much as we wait. I can tell Mom is too scared to talk in public, so we just embrace, and I’m enjoying recouping some of the missed hugs from the last two and a half years.
My phone vibrates with a text.
One minute.
I take Mom’s hand and turn her around. “Come on. Just keep your head down, and let me guide you.”
Kyler’s large black Range Rover pulls up in front of the alley, and I tug on Mom’s hand, running toward it. I open the back door and help her up before sliding in beside her. Kyler’s eyes almost bug out of his head. “Mrs. McConaughey?”
“Hello, Kyler,” Mom says with a shy smile. “Thank you for coming to get us.”
“Of course.” He looks completely shocked as his eyes flit to mine.
“Can you get us out of here?” Even though the windows are dark glass, I scan our surroundings, half-expecting the Feds to make an appearance. My foot taps nervously off the ground.
He nods, thrusting the car into gear and gliding out into the traffic.
“Where are Emma and Kaitlyn? Are they okay?”
She laces her fingers in mine. “Your sisters are safe. They are with your Aunt Cora.”
My stomach lurches to my toes. “Mom, is that wise? Wouldn’t that be one of the first places the Feds would look?”
Ky looks at me through the mirror, sharing my concern.
A resigned world-weary look appears on her face. “We’re hiding in their basement room, and we arrived in the dead of night a week ago. No one saw us arriving, and I’ve hidden in the trunk of your uncle’s car every time I’ve gone out, which hasn’t been much. I only ventured out to find you. I’ve been watching and waiting for the right moment to reach out.”
I slide my arm around her shoulders, holding her close to my side. “I’m going to fix this. I’m going to keep you safe.”
Kyler looks at me again, and an unspoken communication passes between us. I nod my agreement. He punches a button on his phone and a dial tone rings out. His dad picks up a few seconds later. “Kyler.”
“Hey, Dad. I need your help. I’m en route to Mom’s house as we speak. Can you call her and let her know and then meet us there with Dan?”
“Sure, but—”
“I’m fine, we’re all fine,” Kyler preempts, “and I’ll explain everything when we arrive. I’ll be using the special entrance.”
“Okay. I hear you loud and clear, son. Consider it done. Drive carefully.” He cuts the call, and Ky presses his foot down on the accelerator.
“Special entrance?” I inquire, raising a brow.
He grins. “You’ll see.”
Mom is trembling beside me, and any trace of humor fades. “Don’t worry, Mom. Alex and James will help us. We can trust them. They took me in and helped with school and college and my sponsorship. They’re good people.”
Even though Ky and I were joined at the hip, our parents were never overly friendly. Sure, Dad played golf with James on occasion, but they were never close. And Mom barely knows Alex because she wasn’t around for school runs or parent-teacher meetings, and it’s not like they had much in common. Alex was too busy running her multi-billion-dollar fashion empire.
“It seems I have a lot to thank them for, and I don’t want to bring trouble to their door.”
“My parents will want to help, Mrs. McConaughey, and Dan is one of the finest attorneys around.”
“Thank you,” Mom whispers. “And please stop calling me Mrs. McConaughey. We’re
all adults here, and I’m good with Danielle.”
Kyler grins. “Okay, Danielle.”
“Thanks, man.” My words are suffused with gratitude. I could live ten lifetimes and never fully repay Ky and his family for all they have done for me.
“You’re my family, bro. No matter what is going down between us, that will never change.”
Another shared look passes between us. I reach forward and squeeze his shoulder. No more words are needed.
“I’m just going to call Faye real quick. She’ll only worry otherwise.” He makes the call, discreetly updating Faye without mentioning names or specifics.
I’m surprised when Ky bypasses the main entrance to his mom’s house, driving around the rear of the vast estate. He stops the car in front of an open section of the woodland which rims the perimeter of their property. Pulling a fob out of the glove box, he presses a button, and I watch, with my mouth hanging open, as the trees part, revealing a hidden iron gate. The gate glides open, and Ky maneuvers the car into a dark tunnel. When the gate clangs shut behind us, a row of spotlights light up the ground in front of us.
“What the hell, dude?” It’s like something from a James Bond movie.
He chuckles as he slowly drives forward. “Dad went a little overprotective after everything that went down last year, and he hired this guy that used to work for the CIA or Homeland or something to build a secret entrance to the property.” Up ahead, a long tunnel awaits. Spotlights embedded in the floor flicker on, one at a time, lighting our path. “He’s also building a fully-equipped underground bunker complete with every luxury known to man, as well as impenetrable panic rooms with supplies and direct communication to local authorities. He has a fulltime team of security guards watching the property and keeping an eye on all of us, and he’s learning how to shoot and fight. It’s his new pet project, and he’s like a little kid on Christmas morning.”
“Good God,” Mom exclaims, drooping a little in her seat.
“It seems like we definitely came to the right place.”
Ky laughs again. “One hundred percent. I think Dad fancies himself as a modern-day Batman. I’m just waiting for him to show up in a cape one of these days.”
Tires screech as the Range Rover rounds a bend. Ky slows down as we enter a largish garage with bare stone walls and an angled, vaulted ceiling. As I look around in amazement, I’m inclined to agree with Ky’s dramatic statement. His dad’s superhero aspirations are most definitely showing.
James Kennedy is waiting off to the side, lounging casually against the side of a blacked- out SUV with his feet crossed at the ankles.
We all exit the car at the same time, and James’s eyes pop wide the instant he sees Mom. He pushes off the SUV, walking toward us with urgency. “Hello, Danielle. I wasn’t expecting to see you.” His hand is outstretched, and his tone and expression is surprised yet friendly.
“It’s good to see you, James, and I’m sorry to show up unannounced.”
He waves his hands about. “Not at all. Brad is basically an adopted member of this family, and that means you are by default. Family is everything to Kennedys. Whatever you need, you’ve got it.”
A lump forms in my throat again, and Mom looks teary-eyed. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you for all you’ve done for Bradley.”
“Honestly, that’s not necessary. We’re glad to help. Speaking of which, Alex is waiting upstairs, but I think it’s best if we meet down here. Work is still underway on this facility, but the west wing is completed. We can move there and talk in complete privacy.”
James calls Alex and then we follow him out the back of the garage and down a long well-lit passageway. He stops in front of a heavy-duty door, typing in a code on the wall-mounted keypad. There’s a click, a ping, and then the door slides open to reveal plush living quarters bathed in a soft glow from the overhead lighting.
“Full lights on,” James commands, and the room bursts in glorious brightness. He turns around, with his arms thrust out, grinning. “This is pretty cool, right?”
“Damn straight.” My jaw is so slack it’s practically touching the floor. This part of the annex is open plan with a large living area, kitchen to the far right, and a dining room at the end. The space is painted a soothing blue-gray color, and a few carefully placed modern paintings hang on the walls. The furniture is all high end and sophisticated yet comfortable looking. A large fake window displays a serene woodland scene. The air feels light and the temperature is just right.
There are no words.
“We have four en suite bedrooms, a living room, gymnasium, games room, dining room, and fully-equipped kitchen in this annex.” He eyeballs Mom. “It’s completely private and safe. I’m guessing you need a place, Danielle, and you are welcome to stay here for as long as you need to.”
Mom looks around in awe. Then she looks up at me and bursts into tears. I don’t hesitate to bundle her into my arms. “It’s okay, Mom. Don’t cry. Everything is going to be okay.” Her entire body is quaking against mine, and I hold her tighter, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Thank you, James. Thank you so much.”
He nods, just as Alex enters the room with Dan Evans, the Kennedy’s attorney. She strides toward Mom with purpose. “Danielle?” Shock is splayed across her face.
Mom sniffles, wiping her eyes and shucking out of my embrace. “How are you, Alex?”
Alex doesn’t hesitate, leaning in and hugging Mom like they are long-lost friends instead of mere acquaintances. “How are you is more to the point? How did you come to be here?”
“Why don’t we sit down and have some coffee?” James proposes, gesturing toward the long oak table in the far corner of the room.
Ky is already fiddling with the expensive coffee station in the kitchen. I help Mom into a seat and join my friend in the kitchen. We work silently and efficiently, loading a tray with cups, a coffee pot, cream, and sugar. Ky opens the cabinet, and I’m not surprised to find it well stocked. He removes a couple packets of cookies, adding them to the tray.
I take the empty seat beside Mom, automatically holding her hand.
“Why don’t I ask you a few questions, and we can take it from there?” Dan suggests.
I pour a coffee for Mom, adding a drop of cream and one sugar into the cup before handing it to her. She smiles at me before nodding at Dan. “Sounds like a plan.”
Removing her sweater, she hangs it over the back of the chair and folds her hands in her lap. “Fire away.” She holds her head up high, looking Dan directly in the face. “What do you need to know?”
“Where is your husband?”
Chapter Twelve
Rachel
“Try not to worry. Ky said everything was okay, and he’s been texting you all night,” I repeat, trying to reassure Faye for, like, the millionth time as we make breakfast together. It’s the start of another week, and we need to be out the door within the hour. We were both idiots for signing up for early Monday morning classes. Faye’s concerned because Ky took off yesterday evening, and she hasn’t seen him since. All we know is Brad was in some kind of trouble, and they went to the Kennedy house in Wellesley where they stayed last night.
“I know,” she sighs, slathering lashings of butter on her toast. “I just wish he could tell me what’s going on. Not knowing is killing me.”
“What about his classes today?” I plop my butt in a chair.
“They aren’t going which is also concerning. Ky doesn’t like to skip, and Brad needs to keep a clean slate so he doesn’t fall foul of his football coach.”
“Whatever’s going on must be important then,” I muse, and it’s totally the wrong thing to say to little Miss Worry Wort.
She stops chewing mid-munch, and a new layer of anxiety creeps over her face.
“Relax, Faye.” I reach out, squeezing her hand. “They are big boys, and they know how t
o look after themselves.”
“What happened Saturday after we took off?” Lauren asks once we are seated side by side in the lecture hall, waiting for the prof to show. I fill her in quickly, giving her the clean-sanitized-non-hookup version of events. I’m too embarrassed over how easily Brad played me to admit I slept with him, and the less people who know about my humiliation, the better.
“That girl was such a bitch to do that, whether it was true or not.”
“I know. It was mean and spiteful, but the Kennedys always draw those kind of gold diggers.”
“I kinda felt sorry for Brad.”
I pin her with a disbelieving look. “You did? Why?”
“He looked really embarrassed and genuinely remorseful, and I doubt it meant anything.” I snort. Can’t help it. Her eyes probe mine. “You don’t agree?”
“No. Everyone knows he’s in love with Faye. It’s been going on for years.”
She taps a pen against her lips. “Weird. I didn’t see that at all. The only girl he had eyes for”—she looks pointedly at me—“was you.”
I flip my notepad open as the prof enters the room. “I think you were seeing things.”
“Nope. I’m very observant. In fact, it drives Gavin mad. He says I’m always looking at everyone and everything going on around me and that I constantly ignore him. Which is why I noticed Brad looking at you when he thought no one was watching. Or maybe he wasn’t aware he was doing it, but, every so often, his gaze would flit to you as he was talking to Kyler. I think someone’s crushing on you.” There’s a teasing glint in her eye.
“Well,” I whisper, lowering my voice as the professor calls for quiet. “Even if that was the truth, I’m definitely not crushing on him. He’s an annoying fuckwit, and he makes me want to pull every last hair out of my head.”
Saving Brad (The Kennedy Boys Book 5) Page 10
