I finish getting ready for this ridiculous dinner and look at my reflection in the mirror. I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me. I still look the same, but over the past couple of weeks, a sparkle had come back into my eyes. I was smiling and I was happy, even with the threat hanging over my head. Now, I look dead, I can’t even force myself to smile. I left my happiness in a hospital bed in New Orleans.
“Are you ready? George is downstairs already, you don’t make a gentleman wait,” my mother scolds me from behind the closed door.
“Gentleman my ass,” I mutter to myself. “I’m coming,” I call out to her before opening the door.
“That’s a lot better. Now smile.” She glares at me and I plaster a fake smile on my face which I’m sure must look like I’m either grimacing or am constipated.
I walk downstairs behind my mother and into the living room where my father is chatting with a stranger whom I’m guessing is George. Any woman would be more than happy to go on a date with this George chap with his broad shoulders, bright smile, blue eyes and perfectly styled blonde hair but I’m bored just from looking at him. He’s dressed in a nice suit but it screams money and I have no interest in that kind of thing. I sigh as I look at the trust fund baby and follow my mother further into the room. He’s the complete opposite of Bennett and I want to run back upstairs and hide forever. Funnily enough the idea of locking myself in the attic sounds a lot more pleasant that spending the evening with this guy.
“Nancy, you look beautiful,” he says and smiles a perfect charming smile at me before kissing the back of my hand. At first glance he looked like the perfect gentleman but now, after seeing him up close, he looks more like creepy than gentlemanly. If he could tear his eyes away from my chest, that’d be great.
“Thanks, can we go? I’m starving.” I’m not, but I’ll say anything to make this ‘date’ as short as possible.
“Of course.” His smile tightens and my mother pinches my side.
“What? I’m hungry.” I roll my eyes as I walk out of the house and to a car that’s parked outside. Of course he has a chauffeur, wouldn’t want to risk ruining those perfectly manicured nails now, would we? His nails are in better condition than mine! He definitely goes to a salon to get them done. The chauffeur opens the door for us and we slip into the car. I lean against the window and look at the house next door, where Bennett once lived. I look up at the window of his old room and smile to myself.
“I think you’ll enjoy where I’m taking you,” George interrupts my thoughts after getting in next to me.
“As long as there’s steak and mashed potatoes I’ll be fine,” I say flatly.
“You’re going to make this really difficult for me, aren’t you?”
“Look, I don’t know you but I hate my parents and I hate this situation. The man I love is currently lying in the hospital after lifesaving surgery and I’m being forced to marry you because if I don’t my mother will have him killed so excuse me if I’m not jumping for joy at the prospect of having dinner with you tonight, I have more important things to worry about. This life isn’t for me, it has never been and never will be so you better get used to it. Wanna get married for money? Good for you, but do not expect me to be a loving and complying wife. You as much as touch my thigh and I’ll scream bloody rape.” I threaten him with all the venom I can muster.
“Fair enough,” he says through tight lips. Ever the fucking gentleman.
The rest of the evening was incredibly dull and uneventful. He kept to himself and we barely spoke two words to each other. Maybe my little speech earlier will make him change his mind about this whole thing. At least the food was good and they did have steak and mashed potatoes so that wasn’t too bad.
I spent the majority of the evening thinking about Bennett and how I made a mistake earlier by not telling him what I was doing. It might have been for his own protection, but it has left me fighting a battle all alone. Maybe I should have told Callum as a contingency plan because now I’m up shit creek without a paddle. I cannot believe I played into my mother’s hands like that; looking back, of course this is what she wanted. It’s so clear what she wanted and now I feel like a bloody sacrificial lamb, stuck in a situation I don’t want nor know how to get out of. The worst part of all of this is that I will never see Bennett or the others ever again.
CHAPTER 30
Bennett
It’s been two days since Nancy left me and they have been two of the worst days of my life.
You’d think that when she was taken away from me would be the worst, or strangling my brother to death would be but no, these past two days surpass these fucked up moments. The previous time she was taken from me against her will and my brother was a psychotic bastard who deserved to die but this time, she left me willingly. Even though she wrote that she’ll always love me, it doesn’t change the fact that she’s gone. Callum doesn’t seem to know where she’s gone or is refusing to tell me. I’m not sure which is right but at least he’s been somewhat good company whilst I get over the shock.
I managed to make him tell me about their kiss and it was fucking hilarious. Not the fact that they kissed, but him telling the story whilst looking embarrassed. That cheered me up for a minute. Usually he’s the epitome of ‘stone cold’, but when it comes to Nancy, he’s like a fluffy little bunny who’s unable to hide his feelings and emotions. He also corroborated Nancy’s story about them loving each like siblings, so I guess it’s time to lay that subject to rest. There’s still a little nagging voice in the back of my mind, telling me that there’s more to it because when it comes to Nancy, I do not share. Knowing he was spending time with her for five years when I had no idea if she was still alive doesn’t help the matter.
I’m not supposed to leave the hospital just yet, but I’ve had enough. I’m discharging myself and am out of here as soon as Nurse Charlotte comes back with my discharge papers. The doctors were being pains in my ass this morning, telling me that I should stay in and that I needed help to move around because I could really hurt myself and all that shit. But I can’t stay in here another minute, I need to find out what happened to Nancy. I feel like I’m in fucking jail. I’m stuck in my room, lying in bed doing fuck all and I hate it. At least at home I’ll be in my own bed or on the couch I’d find a way to move around, I’d even resort to using a wheelchair, anything to get out of here
I was surprised when Nurse Charlotte told me that she’d stop by mine every day before and after her shifts to check on me. I’m not sure if she’s doing it because she’s genuinely a nice person or because she wants something out of this. For all we know, she could be after information about Ryan for herself or even for someone else.
I’m currently sat on my hospital bed, desperately waiting for Callum to come pick me up and wish he’d fucking hurry up. I’m pissed off and want out of this place. I need find my Gorgeous Girl. I get that she might need some time on her own, but now I’m getting worried that she’s not answering my messages or returning my calls. What could have I done that was so bad that would cause her to point blank ignore me? Surely it can’t be because I told her I needed some time to myself. If that’s the case then I need to fucking get a hold of her and tell her that I made a mistake; I forgive her and need her in my life.
“Stop wallowing in self-pity, it’s not a good look on you,” I hear Callum say from the doorway.
“Fuck off,” I mumble and go to get up but he stops me.
“As much as I’d love to see you fall on your ass over after being such a bitch these past two days, you need to get your sorry ass into that wheelchair.” He points at the wheelchair that’s in front of me whilst glaring at me.
“You’re too kind to me.” I scoot over to the edge of the bed and let Callum help me into the chair.
“I know. If Nancy comes back, I’m kicking her ass,” he mumbles.
“If?” I turn to look at him and wince as I feel my stitches pull. “Fuck.”
He shakes his head at m
e. “As I said, I don’t know where she is or how long she’ll be gone for.”
“I know that you know more than you’re letting on, but since you’re the one driving me home I’ll stop with the nagging for now.”
“Smart decision, Kid.”
“Don’t fucking call me kid, Grandpa.” I snicker and he smacks the back of my head.
“Oi! Wounded patient here.”
“Fuck off,” he mumbles and starts wheeling me out of my hospital prison.
Nurse Charlotte stops us as we’re about to go out.
“You need to sign these first,” She hands me discharge papers and I quickly sign them. “Here are your prescriptions, follow the instructions to the letter, I know how many there are and I’ll come by twice a day so don’t try anything funny. I’m not stupid and I know what the pills look like.” She instructs and glares at me as she shakes a couple of bottles of pills in her hand.
“Pinky promise.” I grin and hold my pinky finger up to her.
“Go on, make fun of me,” she says with a hint of sadness in her voice.
“I’m not making fun of you, Doll. Thank you for doing this for me, even though I don’t know why you’re doing it.”
“Because I’m a nice person and it’s kind of my job to help everyone,” she states matter of factly.
“You don’t know me, Doll.” I look up at her, holding her gaze.
“I know you more than you think.” She smirks. “You have a follow up appointment in ten days. If one of your friends can’t bring you then call me and I’ll come and pick you up. Drive safely, Callum.” She smiles and turns around after handing Callum a bag with my prescriptions.
“That was weird,” I say.
“You don’t say, I can’t stand happy people, they creep me out.”
“Aww, big bad Callum is scared of little Nurse Charlotte.” I chuckle and earn myself another slap on the back of my head.
“Fuck off,” he mumbles as he wheels me out of the hospital and towards his truck. He helps me into the passenger seat and then we’re on our way to my place.
Callum bundles me through my front door and half shoves, half drops me onto the couch. My heart drops seeing Nancy’s hoodie resting on the back of the armchair in the living room and there’s a couple of ornaments dotted around the place that she bought when she was shopping with the girls. I smile at one of the few pictures of us from five years ago but the happy feeling is soon replaced with heartache as I realize she’s really gone. She’s not going to walk through the door tonight after her shift as Viv’s. She’s never going to walk through the door again.
This house feels empty.
I feel empty.
I miss her so fucking much.
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?” I ask and look up at Callum.
“Stop overthinking. If she wants to be with you, she’ll be back.” He disappears into the kitchen for a second and reappears with two beers.
“What if someone’s taken her again and they made her write that note?”
“God you can be stupid sometimes. She handed me the note herself jackass. She didn’t seem scared or anything so stop worrying. She’ll be back, I guess she needs time too,” he says, sounding fed up with me already.
“Do you think it’s because I told her I couldn’t forgive her yet?”
“You fucking what?” he bellows.
“She hid the truth about my brother from me, what reaction did you expect from me? Stupid old Bennett to just forgive and forget at the fire of a gun.” I glare at him.
“So you can forgive me but not her? She’s your fucking woman, asshole! She’s finally back in your life and still loves you for some unknown reason and you go and do something as stupid as telling her that you’re not sure if you can forgive her? You need a fucking good kick in the balls and a brain transplant,” he yells at me and I realize what I’ve done.
“Fuck! I’ve ruined it all.” I groan and throw my head against the back of the couch after downing half of my beer.
“You might have.” He sighs.
“Have you managed to get a hold of her yet?”
“No. She must be ignoring our calls. Did you put a tracker in her phone?”
“Yes, you are a fucking genius!” I grab my phone and click on the app that tracks the chip I put into her phone when I gave it to her. It’s messed up that we have to do this, but we’d do anything to protect our women.
“Like I need you to confirm it.” He smirks at me.
“Show off.”
“Not at all, just speaking the truth. Found her?”
“Yeah, she’s in…oh for fuck’s sake,” I roar and try to get up.
“What?” He looks at me confused.
“She’s at her fucking parents’ house!”
“Type their address in my phone, if none of us hear from her by tonight then I’m driving there. You stay here.”
“Thanks, Brother.” I say, feeling grateful. Trying to get up has knocked my ass out, I don’t think I could do the drive to Pinehurst in my condition.
“Don’t mention it.” He claps my shoulder and I wince.
“Now I get why she complained every time I smacked her ass. That shit’s fucking painful.” I frown and type the address into his phone.
“Fucking pussy.” He laughs and plucks his phone out of my hands. “Need anything before I head out?”
“Nah, I’m good, might have another beer and then get some sleep. This couch is comfier than the hospital bed.” I tell him.
“I’ll get you another one.” Callum walks into the kitchen and comes back with a bottle, along with a small box of donuts.
“Fuck yeah! Donut and beer coma. I like the sound of that. You are an angel sent from biker heaven.” I mumble around a bite of donut.
“Fuck off and don’t do anything stupid, you fucker. I’m bringing your woman back as soon as I possible can if she doesn’t answer by tonight and I don’t want to bring her back to your dead ass.”
“Can’t say that I care at this point.” I finish my beer and open the one Callum got for me.
“Yes, you do and that’s why you’re acting like a bitch. You’re in love with her but because you’re also a child you’re acting up because someone took your toy,” he says as he looks down at me with a judgment in his eyes.
“She went back to her parents even though they were in my hospital room yelling at her just a few hours ago,” I spit.
“How about you use your fucking head for one second. Why do you think she would willingly go back there?” He glares at me, clearly not happy with me not understanding.
“Am I supposed to know something?” I stare at him confused.
“Just fucking think about it. I’m out of here; your stupidity might be contagious.”
“Asshole,” I mumble.
“I heard that!” he calls out as he walks out of the room.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I mumble and have already drunk half of my second beer and eaten two donuts before I hear the front door close.
Why would she go back to her parents when all they’ve done is control her like a puppet and make her miserable? It makes no fucking sense to me. I groan to myself and lie down on the couch. I grab my phone to call her again and this time someone answers.
“Bennett.” I groan internally as I hear Nancy’s mother’s voice.
“I need to talk to Nancy,” I say bluntly.
“Good afternoon to you too. Unfortunately, Nancy has been really busy since she’s been back home and doesn’t want anything to do with you,” she says in a happy singsong voice.
“Like I believe that. I know you’ve threatened her.” I scoff.
“I didn’t need to threaten my own daughter, she has finally opened her eyes and realized that she needed a good man in her life. And that’s exactly what she’s found here. I’m happy to announce that Nancy and our dear friends’ son, George, are announcing and celebrating their engagement tomorrow. I do wish you could join us Bennett, but I�
�m sure you understand that you’re not up to par with our standards.”
“She what?” I yell.
“Aww she didn’t tell you? She’s getting engaged! It’s all happened so fast and we’re all so excited. We are having to rush the party and everything, but it’ll be perfect, you should be happy that she’s finally with a man she deserves. I must go now, good day, Bennett. I can’t say it was a pleasure knowing you, but have a good life all the same. I am a good person after all, I wouldn’t wish for any of your activities to get you killed,” she says in her singsong voice before hanging up. I’m left opened mouthed with the phone still at my ear as I process what I just heard. Nancy engaged. My Nancy, my Gorgeous Girl, engaged? Like fuck she is. There is no way she’s doing this without me having a fucking say in the matter. I quickly give Callum a call, he’s the only one who can stop anything from happening right now.
“Missing me already?” he answers on the last ring before it goes to voicemail.
“She’s getting engaged to some posh fucker,” I yell.
“One, don’t shout in my fucking ears. And two, what the fuck?”
“I just tried her phone again and her mom answered. Said Nancy was getting engaged tomorrow, that it was all so sudden but that Nancy was so happy and was finally getting the man she deserves. Come pick me up, I’m coming with you. I’m going to show her mom who Nancy really deserves to be with,” I exclaim and try to get up from the couch but groan in pain as I fall back down.
“No.”
“No what?”
“I’m not coming to pick you up,” he says with finality.
“What the fuck? Are you actually agreeing with her mom?” I’m so pissed off right now that my voice goes up an octave or two.
“No, fucker. I’m going to get her on my own.”
“Why?”
“Because if that guy decides to pick up a fight you won’t be able to land a punch.”
“Shit, I hate it when you’re right.” I groan.
“Annoying isn’t it? What if she really is happy with this guy though?” I can’t tell if he’s messing with me or not at this point.
Forgiving Nancy (Last Hangman MC Series Book 5) Page 21
