“Just let him go,” Blaise says softly in my ear. “It’s better if he’s gone.”
“I don’t want him here”—tears fall from my eyes, but my tone is so hollow—“but if he’s not, my sisters are going to get taken away from me. He needs to give me guardianship first.” I’m about to crumble, fall to pieces that I may never be able to pick up.
I suck in a breath. Then another.
Don’t fall to pieces, Hadley. Keep it together.
Then I hear the sirens, and I damn near collapse.
“We’ll help you,” Blaise whispers, holding me up. “But you have to keep your shit together, okay? They’ll probably take your sisters for a little bit, but I can help you get them out. I promise.”
I nod, hoping to God I can trust him.
At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll ever trust anyone again.
Chapter Seven
Like I expected, Social Services show up to take my sisters to a group home while I get patched up in the ambulance and answer an officer’s questions.
Watching my sisters get hauled away in tears, I hate my father in that moment, more than I ever have, even more than when he was hurting me. What makes me feel even more crappy is I should’ve seen this coming. Maybe I did. Maybe I was just living in denial.
“I swear to the moon and back I’ll fix this!” I shout to my sisters as the car they were put in starts to drive away. I stand up from the back of the ambulance, letting the blanket wrapped around my shoulders fall to the ground. “I swear to the moon and back I will.”
Londyn watches me through the back window until she can no longer see me, until I can no longer see her.
Another officer approaches me then and asks even more questions, most of which are about what happened and my dad, like if I know where he went—stuff like that. By the time everyone clears out, my dad is now a wanted man, my sisters are gone, and the blood on my face has dried. My heart, though, still feels like it’s bleeding.
Rhyland and Blaise have stuck around the entire time too, something I’m both appreciated of and embarrassed about, because I’m weak at the moment and I hate people seeing me like that.
“So.” Rhyland steps up beside me after the last officer pulls away and Blaise has wandered away to take a phone call.
It’s late. The sun set behind the shallow hills hours ago, and the air has a slight nip to it, yet I don’t feel cold. Numbness. That’s all I feel.
“So,” I mimic Rhyland’s tone as I stand near the side door, staring down the empty driveway.
The corners of his lips quirk, but he pushes it back. “You okay, beautiful girl?”
I must be really exhausted since I don’t even have the desire to chew him out for his use of the nickname he seems intent on giving me.
“Yeah,” I lie, but I’m not about to tell him the truth right now.
I barely know him and I don’t even tell the people I know the truth.
“You sure about that?” he questions with an arch of a brow.
“Does it really matter?” I ask.
I expect him to smile like he always does, but he doesn’t, instead staring at me worriedly. Unable to stand the sadness and pity in his eyes, I look away from him and stare down the road. I should go inside, take a shower, and wash the blood off my face, but I’m not that eager to greet the darkness and stillness awaiting me inside.
“Hadley.” Rhyland places a hand on my shoulder. “I know we don’t know each other very well, but I—my brothers and I, we understand this sort of stuff. Too much unfortunately.”
I tense—I don’t even know why—and he quickly removes his hand.
“I should go inside.” I start to turn, but he steps in front of me.
“The paramedics said you might have a concussion.” He levels his gaze with mine. “I think you should sleep over at my house for the night so you’re not alone. I can sleep on the couch, and you can take my bed. I’m sure Blaise will be cool with that.”
“I’m fine.” Lie. I’m not even close to being fine.
I’m broken.
He eyes me over with doubt. “Even if you are, it’s still a good idea for you not to be alone. The paramedics even said so; said someone should keep an eye on you.”
“And you want to be that person?” I question in disbelief.
He shrugs, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I don’t mind doing it.”
“You should. You barely know me.” Even Blaise barely knows me and I’ve spent the most time with him.
He chews on his bottom lip as he stares at me . “Yeah, I know, but I still want you to stay over at my house for the night, just until we know for sure if you’re concussed. Then tomorrow, my brothers and I will make a plan on how we’re going to get your sisters back. I’m sure Blaise will know what to do since he’s kind of dealt with this shit before.”
I feel too disheartened to argue, so I nod and say, “All right, let me just grab some clothes first.” I head into the house, but when he trails after me, I pause. “Can I just have a few minutes? I promise I’ll come over as soon as I get my stuff.”
He dithers then nods. “Sure.”
I offer him what is probably the most miserable yet grateful smile then dash into the house.
The moment the door shuts, I collapse to the floor and cry for five minutes straight. That’s all the time I give myself—five minutes to break the fuck down. Then I dry my eyes and pull myself together, vowing to never break down again. To be strong. Because, if I’m ever going to have a chance to get guardianship of my sisters, that’s who I need to be.
Strong.
Chapter Eight
After I grab my pajamas, I go over to the Portersons’ house like I said I would, where Rhyland and Blaise are waiting for me. Their house is surprisingly quiet.
“Hey,” Rhyland greets me when I walk in. “I was about to come looking for you. We were starting to get worried.”
“I’m fine.” Wow, that’s becoming my go-to answer, isn’t it? Rolling my eyes at my inability to lie better at the moment, I look at Blaise. “Are you okay with me staying here?”
“Wow, you must think he’s the boss or something?” Rhyland teases me as he stands up from the table.
“Isn’t he?” I question with a lift of my brow.
Rhyland shakes his head, a smile playing at his lips, and I’ll admit it’s a relief to see it instead of pity. “Nope. He just thinks he is.” He gives his brother a pat, to which Blaise responds with a shake of his head. Rhyland’s grin broadens then he winks at me. “I’ve got some homework to do, beautiful girl, but I’ll check in on you later.” With that, he walks out of the room.
Blaise lets out a quiet sigh. “Always the jokester.”
“Yeah, he kind of seems that way.”
He eyes me over curiously. “You let him call you beautiful girl.” It’s not really a question, but it sort of is.
“Oh I’ve tried to get him to stop, but he’s more stubborn than you,” I inform him. “And besides, I’m too damn tired to scold anyone right now.”
A small touches his lips, but it disappates quickly. Silence builds between us and I can tell he wants to say something, but is hesitant to.
“You never answered me when I asked you if it was okay if I stay here for the night,” I tell him, breaking the silence. “It’s fine if you don’t want me to. I’m honestly only here because Rhyland basically made me agree to stay here.”
“You’re perfectly fine,” he assures me. “I’ve already cleaned up my room for you too, if you want go put your stuff in there.”
“Oh. I thought I was staying in Rhyland’s room,” I say, adjusting the handle of my bag higher onto my shoulder. “But I can stay on the couch. It’s not a big deal.”
“You can stay in my room. It’s the cleanest of the rooms and I just made the bed so…” He shrugs.
“Well, thanks,” I say, unsure what else to say.
It’s so weird to be staying at their house.
He offers
me a small, almost nervous smile then he nods for me to follow him up the stairs. “Alex is still sleeping the day off, so you probably won’t see him,” he tells me as he leads me up a stairway to his room. “Jaxon is in his room, playing video games, so one should bother you.” He wavers. “Well, Rhyland’s a little iffy on that, but if he starts bothering you, just come tell me.” He points to a cracked open door as we pass it. “That’s the bathroom, if you need to use it.” He stops in front of a shut door and opens it. “And here’s my room.” He motions me inside.
I step in, noting the space is shockingly clean. The bed is made, there are no clothes on the floor, and there’s minimal clutter.
“Are you a neat freak?” I ask.
He slants against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. “No, not really. I actually hurried up and cleaned it before you came over here. Kicked a lot of stuff under the bed and tossed the rest in the closet.”
I laugh softly, and a small smile touches his lips. “That sounds like something Payton would do.”
“What about you?” he asks. “Are you a neat freak?”
I shake my head, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “But I clean a lot. Not because I want to, but because, if I don’t, no one else will.”
“Me, too. That’s probably why my room’s so messy—I never have time to clean it. My brothers are slobs. I swear they think the floor is a trash can or something.”
I smile, but this time the move is more forced. Talking about cleaning and his brothers is reminding me too much of my sisters.
“I should probably get to bed,” I say. “It’s been a … well, I’m not really sure what to call today.”
He nods, understanding, and starts to back out. “Of course.”
Something dawns on me. Or, well, I realize I need to say something.
“Blaise,” I say quietly.
He pauses. “Yeah?”
“Thank you for what you and Rhyland did tonight.”
His lips tilt into a small smile. “You’re welcome. And if you need anything else at all, I’ll be downstairs on the sofa, okay?” He waits for me to nod then closes the door, whispering, “Goodnight, stubborn girl.”
Again, I’m too tired to lecture anyone about nicknames so I let it slide.
As silence surrounds me, tears threaten to pour out, but I blink until they vanish. Then I put on my pajamas and climb into bed.
The blanket I pull over me smells like Blaise’s cologne. I didn’t even realize I knew what his cologne smelled like until now. It’s a nice smell. I breathe it in as I roll over and try to get comfortable in Blaise’s bed, something I never thought I’d be doing.
He surprised me today, and not just tonight when he stopped my dad from hurting me, but earlier today. I don’t know what to make of that—make of him—but I’m fairly convinced that the cocky guy I first met by the fence isn’t who Blaise really is. And Rhyland, he doesn’t seem so bad either. He’s even sort of amusing, not that I’d ever tell him that. As for Jaxon and Alex, well I’ve barely talked to Jaxon and Alex is… Well, a mess. But I kind of feel sorry for him.
And honestly, while I hate to admit it, I kind of feel sorry for myself. Everything—all of my rules don’t—can’t exist anymore. My future plans are gone. Nothing will ever be the same for me. But that doesn’t mean I’m just going to walk away from this. I knew the moment Social Services drove away with my sisters that I need them in my life. That I can’t let us be separated. That I’m going to have to step up. That that’s what our mom would’ve wanted me to do.
“You’re the bravest of my daughters,” she used to say to me. “Fearless. It’s why I know you’ll make a great racer someday. You’re going to make me proud; I just know it.”
She was right. I am fearless and brave and a damn good racer. I just hope I can make her proud.
As I lie in bed, my eyelids growing heavy, that’s what I think about—making my mom proud. And thinking of her relaxes me. If only the feeling could’ve carried into my dreams …
I’m standing near the street with a river flowing on one side, the sound of car engines filling the air. Then I hear tires skidding, followed by a loud splash.
“No!” my dad shouts from beside me. Then he rushes toward the river, leaving me behind with a mob of bystanders.
I start to run after him, but then my stomach clenches as someone screams.
No, not someone. I’m screaming, because someone is gripping my arms and dragging me back, away from my dad, away from the accident, away from my mom.
I scream again when a hand clamps down over my mouth. “Quiet,” the person warns. “Everything will be fine as long as your dad pays his debt.”
Then I’m picked up and hauled away into the dark—
My eyes pop open, and I bolt upright, gasping for air.
“Holy shit,” I breathe out, my heart a racing mess. “Where the hell did that dream come from?”
Or was it a dream? Because the images … they felt so real. But, wouldn’t I remember if I was taken? That’s something you don’t just forget. Then again, it was eight years ago, and I have those blank memories where the days between my mom’s death and her funeral should be.
I cup the side of my face where my cheek throbs with the reminder of what my dad did to me only hours ago. I had thought he was just starting to turn into a monster, but what if it’s been building over time?
“What did you do, Dad?” I whisper. “What did you do?”
My only answer is silence. I try to go back to sleep, but eventually I become too restless and get up to use the bathroom.
As I exit my room, I cross paths with Jaxon. He takes one look at me and starts to turn around to leave, but then pauses and looks back at me.
“You okay?” he asks.
I think it’s the first time he’s actually spoken to me and it takes me a moment to reply.
“Yeah,” I say.
He presses his lips together, studying me. “My mom used to date this guy when I was younger and he liked to smack me around a lot, so I know how it feels.”
Chapter 9
Blaise
Instead of going downstairs right away, I linger. It makes me nervous that she has a concussion. Plus, her dad is out wandering around, and who knows if he’ll return? It’s not just that that has me worried, though. No, it’s the people her dad’s gotten mixed up with. Like my dad, for starters.
Yes, he’s my father, but that man is corrupt, and so is anyone who works for him. Hadley’s dad isn’t technically working for him, though. He’s just working off a gambling debt that he’s owed for over a decade now. He’s lucky my dad let him off that easy and gets to work as his little bitch. Normally, when someone owes my dad money, especially for that amount of time, things don’t end well for the debtor.
I’m not sure why he let Hadley’s dad off so easily. I could ask, but my dad and I rarely talk, and when we do, he usually tells me nothing but bullshit lies. The best day of my life was when I got guardianship of my brothers and we were no longer obligated to talk to him. Well, not as much anyway. A monthly visit was his stipulation before he signed over guardianship to me.
When I’m almost certain Hadley is asleep, I do a quick sweep through of the house, making sure all the doors are locked. Next, I peer out the window, looking out at the street, frowning at the car parked near the corner.
The tinted windows and luxury are a giveaway that the owner more than likely doesn’t live around here. My bet is it’s the other people Hadley’s dad has gotten mixed up with, something I discovered today while we were at the gas station and I saw Mel in one of Axel’s men’s truck.
Axel is my dad’s rival who does a lot of dealings in drugs and runs some gambling sites. Yeah, Honeyton’s really corrupt, mostly because the people who taint the town are rich enough to buy off the police, my dad and Axel being two of them.
If my dad finds out Mel is working for him, there’s going to be hell to pay. And he may not just go after Mel.
My jaw twitches as I remember how angry I felt when I saw him hitting Hadley. It reminded me too much of when my dad hit my mom.
I heard a scream first and looked out the window. Then I saw red and heard nothing but my blood roaring in my heart. I probably would’ve beat Mel’s ass if he hadn’t bailed like a fucking coward. Although, Rhyland probably wouldn’t have let me get that far. He’s always been able to think more rationally when it comes to intense situations, mostly because he tries to stay as upbeat as possible. I sometimes think he uses humor to cover up his emotions. And he’s been extra humorous since Hadley barged into our lives.
I think deep down he might kind of be starting to like her. And I get where he’s coming from. The girl is tough as hell and strong, and not just physically. Most people would’ve broken the fuck down tonight, yet she held it together. Underneath that tough exterior, though, she’s got to be hurting. I know because I’ve been there, especially when my mom died. And whenever I’m around my father, but that’s for a different reason.
I stay near the window until the car drives away. Then I lie down on the sofa, but I don’t doze off right away, my mind in worry mode.
I think about Alex and how I’m going to convince him to get away from our father’s world and into rehab. I also worry over Jaxon and if he’s ever going to get over this no-talking thing, something that started right after our mom died. Rhyland’s probably the easiest, but his racing concerns me. He’s getting more and more reckless every day. Scarlett’s a handful, too, but she’s only here some weekends. She mostly lives with her mom, though her mom’s new drug addiction is starting to make me question if perhaps she should be living with us full-time.
The Deal & a Secret Page 7
