Darius thought he was going to be sick. “You all knew this and still let him take her out?”
“With your mother’s state of mind, Mr. Alistair, we couldn’t be sure if what she said at the time was true or not. There were days when she talked about your sister but made it all sound like it was her and not your sister being hurt.”
Pieces of the puzzle were finally starting to fall into place. It all made so much sense now. First, his mother had been raised to look the other way when someone was being hurt. Apparently, her own mother did just that, which he couldn’t understand. How could a mother stand by and just let her daughter be hurt like that? He never understood it with his own mother, and now it seemed his grandmother had done the same thing.
Darius stood up and moved to the far end of the small office. He wanted to cry for the first time ever for the pain his mother had endured her whole life. He wanted to go back in time and beat the shit out of his grandfather. What did that man do to her? Deep down he didn’t want to know. He had a strange feeling it would sicken him.
Was his father a savior, or just a greedy bastard? Did he see what was happening to his mother back then and try to save her, or just use her pain and suffering for his own ends? He couldn’t answer that question. From his own memories of childhood, all he could recall was fights and how she would yell at him to not touch her. Even more so, he remembered when he was very little how she cried and screamed late at night. It woke him up. Back then, when he came out of his bedroom to investigate the noise he would see his father leaving their bedroom, clothes a mess, and a shameful expression on his face. A couple of months later, Sara was born. After that, he stopped everything with his mother—and began to visit brothels for his entertainment. Then he just fell into the same pattern as his father in law it seemed, and began messing with Sara. A cycle had started in the family, one Darius decided he’d break.
“Thank you.” His voice cracked out. He cleared his throat and turned. “I’ll take care of this problem now.”
“Oh, there is one more thing, Mr. Alistair.” The woman stood up. “Your uncle said your mother was only going for a visit of no more than a month. Two months have passed, and your uncle still hasn’t returned with her. The income that your father set up was to be used for your mother’s board and care here. Your uncle, somehow, got a hold of a few months of this income before we realized it and we cut him off. He has been causing some trouble here with threats of suing the institution if we don’t hand over the money.”
“How much money did my father set up for my mother’s care?”
“Two million. And he also gave instructions that should she pass away, the remaining funds would be given to the hospital. Your uncle is trying to get a hold of it.”
“I see.”
“I thought you should know. We have stopped payment and have put a freeze on the account. We do care about your mother, Mr. Alistair, and if by chance her statement about her brother being there during the abuse is true, well we would like help in getting her back, and away from him.”
“How long has this little battle been going on with you and him?”
“The hospital has been in a legal custody battle not too long—established after we realized your uncle wasn’t bringing her back. It seems that the one who has any legal claim to her care would be you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, sir. Your father stated that, in the event of his death, you would become her guardian. It’s why we’ve been sending you the reports, and not her brother.”
Darius took another deep breath and nodded. “Well, please have her room ready once more with the things you stored away. I plan on bringing her back.”
* * * *
“Hey, are you alright?” Samara walked into the house and instantly Makayla grabbed her for a tight hug. “What’s wrong?”
“Darius hasn’t come home yet,” she mumbled against Samara’s shoulder. “I’m worried something’s happened to him.”
Samara pulled away from Makayla and looked her in the eyes. “What happened? You two get in a fight?”
Makayla nodded, turned and hugged herself. She never thought she’d be so worried about anyone like this, besides her sister. “He left this morning, early.” She turned back to her sister. “Said something about checking on his mother. Samara, he hasn’t wanted to do anything with his mother since the night she tried to kill him. Why would he go now?”
“Dane said they had a long talk last night while we were up with Shyla.” She took Makayla’s hand and walked over to one of the long sofas in the main room. They sat down together. “Dane also told me he suggested Darius go and make sure his mother was still in the institution where his father put her. Maybe he’s just finally, I don’t know, spending some time with her.”
“I don’t think so,” Makayla whispered. “I think his uncle has something to do with this.”
“What could he have to do with this?”
“He’s trying to sue Darius.”
“That doesn’t make any sense”
“None of this makes any sense,” Makayla sighed, standing back up. “Samara, I’ve got a bad feeling here. Something’s wrong.”
“Makayla, don’t get yourself all worked up. The guys know Darius, and they know how he tends to go off alone. He’ll be back.”
“Do you know his uncle is trying to sue Darius for money?”
“Yeah, Dane told me last night.”
“You know, Samara, I know I don’t know much about the world and all. Dad kept us locked up, and then you and Dane took over dad’s control.” Samara opened her mouth to speak, but Makayla waved her hand and quickly went on. “No, listen to me. My gut is telling me that there is way more to his mother than even he knows. A mother doesn’t turn her back on her child, unless there is more going on. Know what I mean?”
“No.”
She quickly went back to sit next to her. “What if his mother was abused also, and that’s why she didn’t do anything for his sister. What if she was raised thinking that abuse was a normal thing?”
“If that is true, then don’t you think Darius’s father would’ve seen it?”
“Samara, he abused his own daughter and his wife didn’t do shit about it. I’m going to say he knew.”
“Okay, but what does that have to do with this suing stuff now?”
“What if, and I’m going out on a limb here, but what if her brother was a part of it. What if Darius’s uncle was also hurting his mother.”
“That’s crazy!” This time it was Samara who waved her off and stood up. “I don’t think his uncle had any part in all of this.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
“Look, they all have a past, all the guys,” Samara said. “But what we need to do is show them that they have a much better future than their past. When he comes home, you need to forget about his crazy family and just focus on the two of you.”
Makayla nodded. Her sister was right. She needed to work on their relationship. Darius had been fighting this battle with his family long before she came into the picture. All she could do now was stand by his side and make sure he knew she was there when and if he needed her.
“You’re right. How’s Shyla doing?” Makayla asked.
“Kera called this morning. Blaine told her that she’s doing much better since we all showed up last night. She slept well, stopped crying and was eating. He’s got his fingers crossed that she’ll snap out of this.”
“I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose a baby.”
“Yeah, she was very excited about this one. The first loss crushed her. It’s amazing to see the change in Blaine with her. He’s a completely different person than before he met her.”
“Have you and Dane given any thought about having a baby?”
“Oh, not yet. You?”
Makayla shrugged. “Not sure if it’s something Darius can handle.”
“Oh, I think with you around, he can handle just about anything.”
&nb
sp; Makayla laughed, then the phone rang, distracting her. She jumped up and rushed to answer it. “Hello?”
“Hi.”
“Darius!” she sighed in relief. “Where are you?”
“I went to the institution where my mother was supposed to be.”
“Supposed to be? She isn’t there?”
“No,” he sighed, sounding exhausted. “It seems my uncle took her out. He lied to the staff saying I gave him permission.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I think to get his hands on the money my father set up for her care, or—” he trailed off.
“Or what?” She could hear him breathing hard, fast. “Darius, please don’t shut me out now.”
“The staff thinks my grandfather abused her as a child,” he told her softly. “And they also think my uncle was either there, or involved.
“Oh, my God!” she gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, well who would’ve thought I’d be related to a bunch of pedophiles.” He chuckled without humor. “Maybe you should run while you can.”
“I’m not leaving,” she whispered.
She heard him breathe in. “I need to go get her back. I need to stop it once and for all.”
“I know,” she said and sighed. “I’m here when you need me.”
“I don’t deserve you,” his voice broke.
Makayla smiled, even though he couldn’t see it. “Well you’re stuck with me for life. I’m not going anywhere, and I don’t give a shit about the baggage you have either. Together we make a new life our way, not theirs.” He said nothing. She could hear his breathing. “Darius, I love you,” she whispered.
“Oh, Makayla,” he sighed sounding broken again. “You shouldn’t love me.”
Tears came to her eyes. “But I do. Don’t make me lose you either, or I’ll find you and kick your ass.” He laughed then and she added, “I mean it.”
“I know you do.”
“What are you going to do?”
Another deep breath and he cleared his throat and said, “I’m going to do what my father should’ve done for her. I’m going to save her.”
“And your uncle?”
“Stop him. It’s time for the truth to come out, even about him. This has to end.”
“Please don’t do this alone.”
“I have to do this alone. It’s the only way.”
“Please—”
“I love you, Makayla.” The phone went dead.
Makayla collapsed to the floor. Tears fell freely and she found herself suddenly in Samara’s arms, crying.
“What happened?” Samara asked.
“He’s going to confront his uncle,” Makayla sobbed. “He can’t do this alone, Samara. He needs help.”
“Okay, okay.” Samara wiped Makayla’s tears away and helped her stand up. “Let’s go talk to Dane. He’ll know what to do.”
Makayla nodded, stood up and rushed to the bedroom for a jacket and her purse. When she came back down Samara was on the phone. She nodded to Makayla, hung up, and gave her a tender smile.
“Dane is on his way home to meet us and I think he’s bringing in the rest. Darius isn’t going to like this.”
“Right now, I don’t give a fuck.”
Both eyebrows went up on Samara’s head in surprise. Makayla didn’t normally swear that bad in front of her sister.
“All I care about is him right now.”
“Then little sister, I will say without a doubt you are in love with your husband. Now let’s go.”
Chapter Eleven
Darius parked the car right in front of the old Verver Manor The once grand mansion of old money and old connections now stood in ruin. The paint appeared cracked and faded, the porch steps were rotted in spots, one step was missing, shutters hung down by one hinge, and a few windows were broken.
Slowly he got out of the car, eyes on the house. In a second story window, he saw a light that illuminated the form of his mother.
It had been so long since he last saw her. At the time, she’d worn a crazy-eyed look and clutched a knife in her hand. Thinking about it now, he thought that maybe she saw him as the ones who’d hurt her for so long. First her father, maybe her brother, and then the man that was supposed to protect her, not use her—her husband. Now he saw his mother in a different light. She’d been a broken woman doing what she could to stay alive.
The steps creaked when he walked up them and the railing shook, threatening to fall over when he touched it. The front door was unlocked, and he walked in and saw the house was ten times worse inside than it was on the outside.
As a child, he came here only once, when his mother was pregnant with Sara. His grandfather wanted to see him, and the old man creeped Darius out. He recalled that the house was dark with wood floors and paneling on the walls. Paintings lined the walls, oriental rugs covered the floors. Along the walls, there were antiques, likely worth a lot of money and upon them silver framed pictures, and trinket boxes. Now nothing but dust lined the walls. Chairs and small love seats he remembered being here and there had been removed. The whole place looked like it had been stripped. Even some of the antique light fixtures that were on the walls were gone.
The house was set in darkness, making shadows appear everywhere. On his guard now, Darius wondered if his uncle might be hiding in one of them.
As he headed for the stairs in the back of the house, memories came to him. He remembered his grandfather smiling at him, touching his face, arms, and looking him over. With a nod of approval, his scary, dark eyes turned to his mother then. Darius remembered watching her face drain of all color. Her purse dropped to the floor and she started to take her clothes off. Just that look from him, no words, had her comply with his unsaid wishes. Naked, she was inspected, then he remembered his grandfather shoving him out of the room. How long he stayed in the hall, waiting, he didn’t know. But when his mother finally did come out she looked strange. Now he understood why.
Darius followed the light glow in the hallway to the room where his mother sat. Opening the door slowly he was flooded with light from several lit candles. In front of the window, his mother sat in a rocking chair, back to the door. He looked around, making sure she was alone before going inside, closing the door behind him.
With caution, he moved towards her, feeing like the little boy she’d attacked in the past. Instead of the monster he expected, he found a frail woman that he didn’t know. Her once soft shining brown hair now had gray in it and looked dull and lifeless. She’d lost weight, the skin seemed to hang from her bones. But what shocked him the most was how she was dressed. Not the kind of nightgown one would think a woman of her age should be wearing. No, Mary Alistair wore a long silk white sheer honeymoon type gown. A slit ran up the center of the gown, hanging open, exposing her legs. The gown’s thin straps revealed her pathetically bony shoulders, which shocked him.
“Mother,” he whispered. She was looking down so he reached to touch her face. Once he did, she jumped back as if his touch hurt her.
“Please, no!” she cried. “Don’t hurt me again.”
“Mother, it’s me, your son,” he said in a soft voice. “Look at me. It’s Darius.”
“I didn’t move, I promise,” she whimpered. “I did just as you told me.”
“Mother, please,” he begged. This time he took hold of her face, forcing her in a gentle manner to turn her head and look at him. “I’m not here to hurt you. Open your eyes. It’s Darius.”
He held his breath as she relaxed and opened her eyes. The pain he saw in them tore at him—so much pain he never saw before. Someone had been hurting her, and he knew, without a doubt, who that someone was.
“I’m going to take you home,” he said. Looking around, he found a blanket on the floor. Picking it up he wrapped it around her thin shoulders and helped her to stand up.
“Home?” she asked.
“That’s right.”
“I don’t have a home
,” she whispered as if she might be a child. “Daddy won’t let me come back now that I’ve married Elliot. Daddy doesn’t like to share his things.”
“And neither does brother.”
Darius whirled around and saw Mathew in the doorway, no expression on his face.
“What are you doing here Darius?”
“Shouldn’t I be asking you what you’re doing to my mother?” Darius shot back. He felt his mother stiffen and cringe away from the sight of Mathew.
Mathew smiled. “Mary, why don’t you come with me downstairs?” She shook her head quickly. “Mary, I really need to have a talk with Darius.”
Something must’ve snapped inside her. Both of her arms came up and wrapped tightly around Darius’s waist. “My son has come to see me.”
“Mary!” Mathew yelled and she jumped.
“Enough, Mathew!” Darius snarled, holding tight to his mother. “She’s not going with you. You’re not going to hurt her again.”
“Hurt her?” he huffed. “I’ve done nothing but love her.”
“His love hurts,” Mary stated with her head pressed into Darius’s side. “Always his love hurts, just like Daddy’s. But I stopped the hurt, yes I did,” she nodded. “I cut him,” she whispered to Darius.
Oh, my God! The night she cut him she thought he was her brother, come to hurt her like he had before. It all made sense now. The few times his uncle came to the house, the days his father was out whoring, his uncle had abused his mother. He’d carried on what his grandfather had started. Made sure his mother knew without a doubt to whom who she belonged. Them. It’s always been about them. And then another thing hit him. The look his father had that day when he confronted him about Sara. His father was covering for the family yes, not for himself, but for them.
“It was you,” Darius gasped, taking a step back with his mother. “You were the one that hurt Sara, not my father. When you came over those few times. Oh God, you fucking bastard!” he yelled and his mother jumped again. “That day she killed herself, you were there that morning. You fucking knew!”
Forbidden Lust (Tales of the Forbidden) Page 11
