Love's Cruel Redemption (The Ghost Bird Series)

by C. L. Stone

  “Take the restraints in my back pocket,” the man said.

  Nathan’s eyes were adjusted more, and it helped that the front door was open, casting yellowed street light glow around them. He felt for a pocket on the man on top of Hendricks, finding ties like Sang had been bound with earlier. He used one to get Hendricks’s ankles together.

  Erica suddenly careened out of the foyer just as there was a sharp yelp from the dog. Morris landed on top of her, grabbing a wrist and striking out at her.

  Nathan dropped Hendricks’s legs and dove at him, tackling him in the waist to bring him down.

  The dog was behind them both. Morris went down, Nathan on top of him.

  He banged his head on the floor, or Morris’s skull. Time slowed as all he could concentrate on was keeping Morris down, away from Erica. Shouts around him grew louder. The dog was at Morris’s ankle, biting.

  The light within the space changed to brightness as a car had parked in the yard, the beams shining in the wide-open door. It was joined by flashing blue and red.

  Suddenly, the dog was pulled off by strong hands and a sharp voice penetrated the space. “Get your hands where I can see them!” The authority strong and deep.

  The dog continued to growl, but it was tugged away. “Nathan!” It was Kota’s voice. “Get off of him.”

  “Get on the ground, kid,” the other man’s voice said.

  Nathan rolled off of Morris, out of the way, and he flattened himself, looking behind, aware of what was happening, systematic after years of Academy training.

  A tall man in a cop uniform came forward, pointing a gun at Morris. Kota struggled with Max, pulling him away. Erica was on the ground, crawling back to sit against the wall and remaining there.

  Morris groaned and put his face to the floor. Not speaking. Not moving.

  Nathan waited as he should. Hendricks continued to struggle as the man on top of him was trying to bring his arms around to the front.

  Hendricks shouted angrily at his face as his wrists were bound. “You’ve no idea who you’re dealing with,” he said.

  “I’ve got an idea,” the man over him said, and he rose, looking back at Nathan and then at the cop. “About time you go here, David.”

  “You told me you needed back up,” the cop said. “You didn’t say that I needed back up.”

  Nathan blinked at the guy standing over Hendricks, recognizing Mr. Ramirez. What was he doing here? The cop he didn’t know, but didn’t they tell him they didn’t want police involved?

  However, he wouldn’t complain. They stopped them. That was everything they needed.

  Ramirez hauled Hendricks up, shoving him onto the couch so he was upright. “Stay there.”

  Hendricks glared at him. “I want my lawyer.”

  “You’ll get one,” Ramirez said, he went to Morris, putting a hand on his arm. “Do I need to tie you up, too, or are you going to behave now?”

  “Get him in cuffs,” the cop said. He kept his gun on Morris while Ramirez approached and got him to stand. “I’m going to have to anyway when I take them out of here.” He looked over his shoulder at Kota. “Anyone else here?”

  “My sister,” he said. “She’s probably in her room.”

  “Once he’s bound, come with me to find her.” He nodded to Nathan and then Erica. “I need both of you outside. Stand in the light where I can see you.”

  Nathan rose slowly, keeping his hands visible but did as he was told. It was odd the cop was alone. But if Ramirez called him in, maybe they weren’t expecting a fight like this when they arrived.

  As soon as Nathan could, he joined Erica, throwing an arm around her shoulders and walked out with her.

  Erica was breathless, shaking. “Thank god,” she said. “Thank god you were here...”

  “I’m sorry,” Nathan said. “I didn’t know they’d come here. I didn’t think they’d ever dare.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Long story,” he said. “And I promise, we’ll tell you.” She didn’t deserve to be in the dark after all this. She hadn’t deserved it before.

  He turned as Kota was coming out with Jessica. He urged her to join their mother and Nathan as he went back inside.

  Jessica ran to them. Erica drew herself away, opening her arms for her daughter and pulled her in. She kissed her on the head as she squeezed her. “Baby,” she said and she sighed.

  Nathan spun around, looking out at the yard and then to Jessica. “Where did Sang go?”

  “She ran out,” Jessica said.

  “I saw her,” Erica said. “Before the cop showed up. She ran down the road and then the guy came in. The one that—” She turned toward the house. “Who is he, anyway?”

  Nathan stepped away from her, looking around the yard, scanning the tree line across the street, his house... “Sang?” he bellowed.

  Suddenly, Jessica’s phone was ringing. Erica took it from her daughter and answered it. “I don’t know who this is but we’re bu...Sang?”

  Nathan reactively took the phone from Erica and held it to his ear. “Sang, where are you?”

  “At the diner,” she said. “I’m fine. The cops are there?”

  “Yes. Stay where you are. I’ll get someone to go to you.”

  “Are you okay?”

  His body ached all over. He hadn’t had time to inspect for damage but he was upright, she was safe, Erica and everyone else was okay. “We’re fine,” he said. “Kota’s here. The others should be here soon. Don’t go anywhere.” He paused. “Wait, whose phone are you using?”

  “Danielle’s,” she said. “She’s here.”

  God damn it. “Okay. Just...stay with her.”

  “What about the police?” she whispered into the phone.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll...try to keep you out of it.” He looked over at Erica. “We’ll try.”

  Erica raised an eyebrow but nodded. She was amazing. After Hendricks started waving a gun around, and he grabbed at her, she flipped him, breaking the coffee table.

  But why did the lights go out? Did she do that, too? During the entire struggle, he wasn’t sure how everything happened. Or why Ramirez showed up.

  Kota remained in the house. Nathan wanted to go in, too, but he didn’t want to leave Erica and Jessica alone out here. Answers would need to wait until they dealt with Hendricks and Morris.

  When Nathan hung up on Sang, Erica asked, “Are you going to tell me about this?” she asked. “Tell me why Sang was being forcefully removed by the principal?”

  He was sure they would have to. There was no way they could hide this now. The Academy. The truth. Everything. “When they’ve gone,” he said. “When we’re settled here. I’ll tell you. Kota will, too. I’m sure.”

  She nodded, her lips pursed.

  Nathan only hoped she’d believe them, especially after the years of half-truths they’d built up with her.

  What We Don’t Deserve

  Sang

  The first early hours of the morning were filled with questions. After the police car had driven by and I’d called and spoke with Nathan, I did what I said. I stayed put at the diner, waiting for someone to come get me.

  Danielle had asked many questions about what happened, but I didn’t give her answers. I just told her to stay with me. It was probably safer for the both of us.

  The diner had only a quad of college kids. They sat at a booth in the back. Besides the one waitress and one chef that came out every once in a while, it seemed we were the only other two people in the place at this early hour.

  The waitress didn’t question why two teen girls were there so late, and the college kids left us alone. I wasn’t sure if I recognized the waitress, although she seemed familiar and I might have worked with her before here at the diner. Most of the people who worked here were Academy anyway. She might have recognized me. The college kids spoke in sometimes rambunctious tones but otherwise, they kept to themselves.

  Danielle gave up on me after a w
hile when I kept telling her I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t want to say that I was in a fight. I did my best to not show her how scared I was for Nathan, for Erica, for the others. I wasn’t totally sure I should have left. After I got to the diner, I’d hoped to bait Morris and Hendricks away from the others. Now it felt like I’d abandoned them.

  And maybe it was okay, since the police showed up, but it still felt wrong.

  But would Morris or Hendricks tell people they were after me?

  And what would have happened if they’d captured me? Volto said they would have used me against them, and they must have been pretty desperate to try to take me by force.

  Even Nathan had been willing to call the police, realizing the immensity of the danger.

  Eventually, Danielle had to answer her phone as her mother was calling. She said she had to leave, and I was left alone in the booth.

  I was tempted to go into the security trailer, but I wasn’t sure anyone was in there, and within the view of others right now was probably the best option for the situation.

  I tested my neck and other spots on my body. I was sore all over. I’d huddled up in the booth for so long, trying to hide these.

  It seemed ages before Dr. Green finally appeared. I’d almost fallen asleep leaning against the wall. He slid into the booth next to me, reaching around to grab a menu. “I’m starving,” he said.

  I blinked, rubbing at my eyes. He was in jeans and a T-shirt, his hair was combed back. His green eyes glanced over the menu.

  I coughed once. “What’s going on?”

  “What’s going on is I’m going to order something.” he looked over at me and smiled, though he looked tired. “And we are going to go to the trailer so you can get some sleep.” He paused. “Are you hungry or tired?”

  I wasn’t sure I could eat. I was tired, but I was so worked up, and worried. But since he wasn’t answering, perhaps he wouldn’t talk here. “I don’t need anything.”

  He glanced around and then leaned into me close. “You sure?” he whispered.

  I tried to smile for him. “I’m just tired. And worried.”

  He kept looking at me, over my face. I wasn’t sure if he was waiting for me to say something more, or if he was the one wanting to say something.

  He reached under the table, gently touching at my leg. I imagined he didn’t really want anyone else to notice this. “You’re enchanting when you’re sleepy.”

  I warmed inside, although I couldn’t put together what to say to him. His sweet nature could make me, for a moment, feel like everything was just fine.

  He put the menu down and slid out of the booth, reaching out for my hand. “I can order at the bar. What’s the fastest thing for them to make?”

  It was a good idea to get out of here. Exhausted and overwhelmed, sitting up in a booth was making my body ache. “Salad,” I said. I tried to recall what food was usually pre-prepared and the chef didn’t have to bother with much to put together. “And pie. Wait...maybe biscuits and gravy.”

  “All delicious,” he said.

  I walked with him to the counter, where he ordered two of all I’d suggested: salad, peach pie because that was what they had at the moment, and the biscuits. It was only a few minutes before the waitress came out with two takeaway containers filled with all of it. He dropped two twenties onto the counter for her and left without asking for any change.

  The air outside the diner was damp and cool. The quiet disturbed me. Perhaps because I knew that just a few houses down, there might still be a cop car. Or Hendricks. The fight before I ran off, the noise and fear, it should have been awakening the entire street. With only a couple of dark cars parked in the lot, and the streets quiet, it felt strange.

  Footsteps approached, breaking the quiet around us. I bumped into Dr. Green, keeping close. My paranoia was at maximum. He clutched the food containers and took a step in front of me, not going too far from the door to where we could retreat.

  Kota appeared around the side of the diner. He had on a green hoodie, and he looked up as he approached.

  Dr. Green turned to him, holding the containers. “Oh, it’s just you,” he said. “I almost threw this at you. Wait, I thought I was taking her.”

  “I’d like to bring her back with me,” he said. “If that’s okay.”

  “Well,” Dr. Green said, appearing to study Kota for a moment before turning his attention to me. “I guess. That okay with you?”

  Part of me was rattled through with the idea of returning to the house. Not because I didn’t trust Kota or anything like that. It was returning to the scene of what happened. However, the concerned face Kota had told me he needed me with him. “What did you tell Erica?”

  “I told her we’d talk to her in the morning,” he said. “She took the day off for it. But, I kind of want you there. If that’s okay. She may have a few questions. But I made her promise to let us sleep first. Give us a chance to calm down after all this.”

  “So this is it,” Dr. Green said. “We’re telling her? How much?”

  Kota shrugged. “I’m going to play it by ear. She’ll want to know about why they were after Sang. After that...I might tell her about Nathan.”

  “You should,” I said. I crossed my arms across my stomach, bracing against the cool air outside. “After everything Nathan has done for all of us this week, he doesn’t deserve the reputation he’s built up...and he did it to protect us.”

  “You don’t know what he’s been up to,” Dr. Green said, looking down at his feet.

  Puzzled, I waited for an explanation and when he didn’t come up with one, I turned to Kota. “What is he talking about?”

  “I don’t know,” Kota said, an eyebrow cocked. “What are you talking about?”

  “We heard about Nathan asking you to visit Lily,” Dr. Green said. He picked his head up, his expression grim. “He’s on my naughty list at the moment.”

  I shared a look with Kota as we tried to figure out if he was talking about something else other than what we already knew. “You mean when Kota went to ask Lily about me?” I asked.

  Dr. Green reeled is head back in surprise. “What? You know?”

  “I knew a week ago,” I said. “Kota told me.”

  “Yeah,” Kota said. “Wait, is that why the others were kind of off this week? And Nathan’s been keeping to himself? They found out about that?”

  Were they off about Nathan? Mad at him about it? And maybe with Kota, too?

  “I didn’t know she knew.” He turned to me. “Look, we didn’t like that he went behind our backs and basically asked her to break us up.”

  “He didn’t ask that,” Kota said. “He asked to be sure...she was into it.” He turned to me and I nodded in confirmation. “We didn’t do it with the intention to break anyone up.”

  Dr. Green juggled the containers so he could hold them under one arm. “Maybe we were more tired and angry about other things and we took it out on him. I might have hit him a few times...”

  “Doc!” Kota sputtered.

  “With a notebook. He could take it.”

  Kota pushed a palm into his face and held. “My god...”

  Dr. Green looked Kota’s way sheepishly. “I was only trying to get him to understand we don’t like feeling like you all are looking for reasons not to even try without giving it your all first. I’m all in. And I guess those of us who are in don’t understand why you’re not all in, too.”

  “You can’t ask people just to be in on it,” Kota said. “Feelings don’t work like that. Not everyone is the same.” He motioned to him. “You should go see her. Nathan and I were considering long term. Future plans...”

  “I was, too,” Dr. Green said.

  “Maybe,” Kota said. “Not everyone was. But we didn’t understand what you all were asking us to do. I had to go see it for myself, get a grasp of what I was facing. I never knew anything about relationships like this. I had to figure it out.”

  “I didn’t know what we were
doing,” I said. I hated to see them struggle like this. “I’m still getting used to the idea.”

  “Which is why we didn’t want Nathan prodding Lily to get to you,” Dr. Green said.

  “She’s not discouraging us,” I said. “I’ve already talked to her. I’d like to go see her again. You know, when we’re not busy.” I waved a hand shortly to refocus and put us back on the main point. “But Nathan didn’t ask to break us up, he asked to make sure we were doing the right thing, that I’d be happy with it. He doesn’t deserve any of you all making him feel bad when he’s risked himself so many times trying to maintain what we have. He stepped up for us and used himself as the bad guy to protect us. Erica and Jessica had him ostracized for this long because he was willing to lie to protect every one of us from exposure.”

  Dr. Green lowered his head and toed the gravel below us. “You make a good point. Once I was mad at him, I was being stubborn about it. He scared a lot of us with what he was doing.”

  “Maybe you should apologize to him,” Kota said. “It’s hard enough to want to be included in any group if people are shunning you.”

  “We didn’t mean it like that,” he said. “We gave him space...but after yelling at him, I guess it looked like that.” He sighed and looked up. “Fine. I’ll be in the dog house now.” He pouted at me. “Can I please have a hug?”

  I checked with Kota. He nodded to me shortly but then turned away from us, looking at the road.

  I kept the hug tight, but short. Dr. Green could only put one arm around me since he was holding food containers.

  “I’m sorry,” he said in my ear.

  “Me, too,” I said.

  “What are you sorry for?”

  “That I’m going to Kota’s and can’t stay with you. I don’t get to see you enough.”

  He chuckled and when I pulled back, his eyes were bright and his face was beaming. “I keep saying that. We need a schedule.”

  “You need off your doctor schedule to have a proper schedule,” Kota said, turning back around. He looked at me. “Are we ready?”