As I make my way outside, I can tell this is a conversation Mitch doesn’t want to have, and by the looks on Tyler and Colby’s faces, he isn’t getting out of it.
“What the hell, Mitch?” Tyler isn’t pulling any punches. “You gave me your word that if anything was getting dangerous I would get a heads-up. Don’t hand me the shit you didn’t know, because we all know you knew that sick fuck was texting her, had fixated on her, and I sure as hell didn’t get a heads-up. The heads-up I got was when a detective called my wife, and she almost collapsed.”
“I get it Tyler. I got the same phone call,” Mitch fires back.
“Bullshit. Not the same. You didn’t help raise that girl in there. You may think you have gotten close to us, but this is my family. You have no clue.” Tyler is pissed. I can’t blame him, but he is hitting below the belt, and although he doesn’t know it, I have to stop it.
“Enough. Blaming each other isn’t helping get to the bottom of this. Tyler, I get you are upset, we all are. I will give it to you that maybe you feel deeper, but don’t doubt Mitch’s love for your whole family. So I am telling you, control your shit. Now to get on track. How much do y’all want to be in the know with this shit? We can tell you all we can, but this needs to be kept from the girls. You are either down with that, or you won’t be in the know either.”
Colby just stares at me. I see his jaw muscle clamp down, and while I admire him and how devoted he is to his family, he needs to make a decision. Hopefully the right one. “I am not okay with keeping secrets from my wife. Are you?” He turns to Tyler.
“Nope, been there, done that. Got the t-shirt, and that shit doesn’t fit anymore,” Tyler responds.
I need to go in for the kill. “I feel you both. I hate all the secrets and lies between everyone. You need to see it from our position. I am not as close to your women as Mitch is, but I know enough, you can’t control them. I get they are strong and independent. Good qualities, but in this it makes them a liability. This shit is deep and involves their family, and yours. You tell me Colby, if Brielle gets wind of what this guy is planning, or that her younger brother and sister may be in jeopardy, and the fact Dustin is there with him, will she let us handle it? What about you Tyler? If Addison isn’t the ring-leader, you know she will go along with Brielle. Cambree is lying in a hospital bed. Brielle has been tortured by Brent for years. Addison, right about now, feels helpless. So, if you can assure me you can rein them in, I will believe you.” I know damn well they can’t control those circus freaks. I have seen just a glimmer of Cambree when she is fired up about something, and I am man enough to admit I couldn’t rein her in, nor would I want to.
I see both of them thinking, and Tyler answers, “I can’t control their asses. Dude, have you seen them? Heard them? I don’t know where in the hell they found these girls, and I thank God every day, but shit . . . a force to be reckoned with doesn’t even come close to explaining them. I am torn though, man. I don’t want any more secrets between Addison and me, but I don’t want to be clueless as to what we are up against.”
Colby jumps in, “Screw it. I am in. I have to know what we are up against, and what we need to do. This may bite me in the ass, but at least my wife and kids will be safe. Think about that, Tyler.”
Mitch just nods at me, I know he wants me to take the lead on this, and I will. I have to keep some shit secret, like the fact that he is their wives’ brother. I am waiting on Tyler to agree to the terms or leave.
“Fuck me walking, I am in. If this goes bad, I will throw you all under the bus, especially to Brielle.” I find it funny he is so scared of her. Of course, I haven’t seen her in full force, but Cambree admires and loves both of her sisters so much, I am sure she is not one to overlook. Addison, I just can’t see it. Hell, her husband calls her Lil’ Bit, she couldn’t hurt a soul.
“Okay, let’s go somewhere private,” I tell them. I go in search of a conference room and locate one down the hall.
They all follow me in, and I tell them, “This will be hard to hear, and you will want to argue with us, but I need your full cooperation. It may be hard, but we have to be in agreement.”
Tyler nods and Colby says, “We already agreed to your terms . . . you want to become blood brothers and take an oath? Just spit it out.”
Tyler starts laughing. “Dude, you have been around Brielle too much, blood brothers? That shit was funny.”
Mitch is trying not to laugh, and I admit, I want to bust a gut, too. I won’t because this is too serious to fuck up.
“No bodily fluid exchange is necessary. I just needed to make myself heard. I take it I did.” I pause, and they all silently agree. “We all know and agree, Brent Hall is a sick monster, and a threat to the girls. I know what happened to Brielle years ago; I know she carries it around. What you don’t know is that he is in to a lot of shit. Money-laundering, bribery, corruption of a public office . . . just to name a few. He also has a very sick fascination with girls. He likes to pimp them out to his cronies. Here is the worst part . . . he has Dustin, and Dustin needs to stay there. Mitch knows what he is up against, and in order to not make Brent suspicious he has to stay. I know the girls will fight you at every turn, but you need to let this happen. He is safe and in touch. I will enlighten you; he knows everything. He thought he was doing the right thing, a little late, but his heart was in the right place. We have eyes and ears in that operation, but Brent has plans for Dustin, and we aren’t exactly sure what. It has to do with the girls he pimps out, and Dustin is constantly monitored.”
I don’t get to finish, because Colby starts, “Shit. Shit. Shit. This isn’t good. Brielle will lose her mind if she finds out. Y’all are killing me.” I know he is agitated, but this is what I warned him about.
“I told you, Colby. It isn’t pretty, and we are not done yet. He has a sick fixation on Cambree, and we aren’t sure if it is to add her to his collection or retribution for Brielle. Either way, he is dangerous. As long as Dustin is there, it helps us in the long run. He doesn’t know we are close. Mitch has to be out of the picture. He is more behind the scenes. They have a history, which is not your business at this time, but just know it is bad. Brent isn’t aware of me, so I can be front and center. We have three different agencies on this, and we are working it hard. That said, I don’t care what happens, but I won’t be restricted while protecting Cambree or any of them. He won’t get to them. We all need to be vigilant and keep open communication. You can be pissed at me, Mitch, the agencies, I don’t care, but it needs to happen after this fucker is brought down. You feel me?”
“I feel you. But you need to get me. Your badge or anybody else’s credentials don’t mean shit to me when it comes to protecting my wife and family. I will die trying or rot in prison when it comes to their safety, so do you feel me?” Colby has balls, and I admire him.
Tyler has his say, “I have three girls that are my life, on top of the rest of this clan. We are solid, and nothing will happen on our watch. You just tell us what we need to do, and it is done. Both of us are armed and licensed to be that way.”
“Stellar. That is handled. No matter what, they don’t go anywhere alone. I don’t care if it is to get milk. We need to think about extra security.” Both nod their heads in agreement. “Okay, any questions, or are we done?”
Tyler says, “I am done with you, but I need a word with Mitch.”
“Can’t let that happen. Say what you need to say, and then move on from this. There is a lot of this situation that is jacked, but nobody in this room is to blame. There are three people to blame, Brent Hall, and Mr. and Mrs. Parker. I get you’re feeling helpless, I was there buddy when she disappeared from my sight, and I carry that weight. You need to know, Mitch felt it just as deep.”
Mitch comes to Tyler. “I gave you my word, and that shit means something to me. This was a surprise attack, and for that I am sorry, and I will always carry that around. I hope in time, you will understand exactly how I felt today, and that is some
thing I never want to feel again.”
Tyler is silent for a minute, and I know he keeps what happened with Mitch and Addy in the back of his mind, but if he only knew.
Colby ends the standoff and comes and shakes Mitch’s hand, leans over, and tells Tyler, “We have bigger issues at the moment.” Tyler sticks his hand out, and Mitch accepts it. Thank Christ. Now maybe I can get back to my girl.
Chapter 7
Cambree
As soon as the door shuts, I open my eyes. I have been faking sleep to avoid Max, and I was seriously about to tear into Addy for encouraging him. Seriously, doesn’t she have enough at home to keep her ass busy? Before I start on her, she holds up her hand. She did not just shush me . . . hospital bed or not, this is about to get ugly. When Brielle starts laughing at us, I whip my head towards her. Damn it . . . that hurt.
“Girl in hospital bed who just got the shit beat out of her, could you two please stop making me mad? It hurts.” Yeah, I went for the guilt trip, I haven’t forgotten everything from my earlier years.
I feel a little twinge of guilt as I see Addison’s tears, and Brielle isn’t speaking. Addison grabs my hand and starts apologizing. “Umm, Addy, can you let go of the sprained wrist? Not helping.” She drops my hand like a hot potato and starts crying. Damn, now I feel bad. This always backfired on me. I guess I did forget some things from my younger years.
“It’s okay. Calm down, it is just a sprain. I am fine. I swear.” I am trying to reassure her.
“Damn it, C. You scared us to death,” Addison tells me.
“Serves you right for that speech you gave Max. Did you really have to give it away that I still care? You broke the girl code, and you are out of the club.” She isn’t getting out of that easily.
“Really? Would you like me to remind you of the ‘Who is your Daddy’ text, that was sent to Tyler? What was that about girl code?” Okay, maybe she will get out of this easy. I don’t respond to her.
Brielle pipes up, “I don’t want to be the only girl in the club, so can you call it even, and move the fuck on?”
“Truce,” Addison says. I just glare at her. I am not ready to concede; she got a husband and her baby daddy out of my girl club rule break, and I haven’t gotten anything but mortification out of hers. “I take it you aren’t going to get over it easily, you have always been like that. But in the meantime, do you want to share what happened with you and Max? Brielle and I are the best for advice.” She is so proud of herself, and actually believes that.
“Uh, pass . . . Your advice usually ends up with a fake baby daddy, who then brings his ass hat of a brother to town, who breaks your sister’s heart. Brielle’s advice, I haven’t figured out, probably because I still don’t know the meaning of half the words that come out her mouth.” Brielle is cracking up, and it doesn’t faze her in the least. Addison is just glaring at me. I smile ever so sweetly at her.
God, I love them. “Has anyone heard from Dustin?” I ask. By the look on their face, I know the answer.
“No, sweetie. He hasn’t returned my calls or answered my texts,” Brielle says to me softly. That hurts. I can’t believe he wouldn’t be on the first plane here and away from the cause of this mess.
“Hand me my phone,” I demand.
Addison gives me my phone, and I can tell she doesn’t think this is a good idea. Brielle just looks sad, and once I get a hold of my brother I am going to tell him exactly what I think. I can handle him not giving two-shits about me and my situation, but the crap he is putting Brielle through is just not happening. I dial and it goes straight to voicemail. No the hell he didn’t. He declined my call.
“Dustin, this is your sister, Cambree, the one who is lying in a hospital bed after getting a beat down from the ass clown you are associating with, Brent. Oh, you can thank Max for stopping the kidnapping that was planned. By the way, it would be nice if you called me back.” I end the call and am about to throw my phone, when my door opens.
Colby is staring at the scene in front of him. “Please, don’t pick up that habit of Brielle’s. I don’t care how much money is in the bank; you start breaking phones at the rate Brielle does, and it could possibly break the bank.” Brielle just rolls her eyes at him, and Addison and I start laughing. It hurts to laugh, but not too bad. I know I am lucky.
Tyler asks me, “Weren’t you a bit brutal with Dustin?”
“Not at all. Have you looked at Brielle’s face when he is mentioned lately? We all know where he is and what that means. Brent is dangerous, and I don’t even need to look in the mirror to tell you that. He hasn’t even called to see if I am still breathing.”
Tyler and Colby exchange a look with each other, so subtle you would miss it if you weren’t looking at them, and I see Mitch stop walking. Just as I am about to ask what is up with that, Max decides he is going to be the welcome wagon.
“Anybody want to order take-out? Maybe if the doctor comes back around this evening we can push for him to release Camy tomorrow . . . only if he feels it’s safe.”
Excuse me, when did he become head decision maker for Cambree’s well-being? “I can handle my own discharge. There is no need to get take-out, you guys can go out to eat. I will be fine.”
“Hell no, we are going to have a dance party up in here with pizza and wings,” Brielle announces. Any other time I would be fine, but not with Max here.
I am about to buy him a clue, when Mitch says, “Great. Let me call Kayleigh and check in with her, then I will see if any of the nurses have menus.” Guess I am outnumbered.
Mitch leaves and brings back the menus before going to call Kayleigh. Once dinner is decided and ordered, everyone is getting comfortable like they are here to stay. Brielle pulls out her iPod, I swear that thing is like an additional limb for her.
“New game. We each pick a song and explain why . . . kind of like a get to know your mood game. I go first.” Brielle is so excited, you would think she was just nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but we all know that will never happen. Addison is taking her game in stride; she likes music, just not a fanatic about it. Colby is rolling his eyes at her, Tyler is on Google, and probably trying to find a song . . . he is clueless. Mitch and Max look a little taken aback.
Max speaks for both of them, “Uh, we aren’t really into the whole music thing. We listen to it and we like it, but I couldn’t tell you who sings it or anything.”
“That is fine. Just tell me what you are feeling at the moment, when it is your turn, and I can handle it.” Brielle, always the problem solver. She continues, “Here is my song . . . no getting emotional, but after the day we have had, Dustin being MIA, this is how I feel.” Colby automatically moves to her side, gently rubbing her cheek and holding onto her. That is what I want. “If I Didn’t Have You” by Thompson Square starts playing, and immediately everyone is quiet. Everyone steals glances at each other, and the moment is not lost on any of us. I don’t know how she does it, but she makes you feel with the damn music she plays. Addison is next and picks “Back Where I Come From” by Kenny Chesney, before Brielle will play it, she asks Addison the reason.
“YOLO, bitch. You made us all teary-eyed with yours. I want everyone to remember, life happens, but always remember where you come from, and what is waiting at home for you. Quit analyzing me and play my damn song. I will hurt you for Kenny.” Addison puts her hands on her hips and is making a good attempt to go to head-to-head with Brielle. It is kind of cute.
Tyler pulls Addy back. “You need to get over your fascination with Kenny, Lil’ Bit. You have all the man you can handle right here.” None of us can stop the laughter. It hurts like hell, but that was funny right there.
Brielle plays the song. I see her walk over to Max and bend down to him. I can’t hear their conversation, but when her eyes snap up to his, I know he got her attention. She just nods her head, and I hear her say, “I got it . . . and it won’t be easy, so you will have to come to me often for inspiration.” I glare at them, and when Brielle notic
es, she smiles at me. And then winks. If she takes his side, we are all screwed. She will be in a bad mood because I won’t give in to her schemes, but everyone else will get roped in to help. Great, I have a better chance of having sex in a hammock, standing up, than I will trying to thwart her plan.
The music fest continues. Tyler and Colby each picked their wedding song. How original, but they got brownie points for even remembering them. Mitch’s pick surprises me. He is a man’s man, and the fact he asked Brielle to play “The Trouble With Girls” by Scotty McCreery throws me off. I watch his lips turn up in a smile as she stares at him. “One day, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you will understand.” Addison turns all the way in her chair; we can’t believe he just spoke to Brielle like that.
“I was beginning to get used to you, don’t make me regret it, smart ass,” Brielle tells him through laughter.
“Noted,” he replies.
“You going to explain why you chose that song, those are the rules.” I can tell the curiosity is killing her.
“I have a soft spot for sisters,” is his cryptic answer.
She stares at him for quite a while, neither of them breaking eye contact. Battle of the wills, I believe. Surprisingly, she caves first. The song ends, and she turns to me.
“Your turn, C. What is your poison?” I love my sister, but I have no desire to play this game. I don’t know what she thinks she will get with my song choice. The others may not realize my love for music, but she does. She constantly downloads songs to my iPod and sends me lyrics. I can’t sing worth a damn, and she has actually asked me to stop singing in the shower because it scares her dog, but I swear I can jam out in the shower. I sound good, at least in my own mind, and I think it must be the acoustics in the shower. Well . . . that or I am tone deaf.
“Fine,” I tell her. Part of me wants to make her pick my song, but the one I have in mind is better. “I pick this song because I discovered many years ago that life is precious. I was reminded about that today. Granddad and Grandmother never went a day without telling us they loved us, and I miss that. You never know when it is too late to tell someone how you feel, and past or present, everyone deserves to know they made an impact on your life, they deserve to know you care. Even if it is too late.” I stare at Max, and tell her to play “I Never Told You” the Jeff Hendrick version.”
Parker Sibling Series Box Set Page 36
