Closure

by A. P. Jensen

  “Callie!” Juliet shouted

  It looked like an earthquake rocked the house. Cabinets were flung wide. Every plate and glass lay broken on the floor. Heart pounding, Juliet leapt off the counter and ran through the first floor of the house, calling her name. No response. Juliet raced upstairs. There was less damage, but broken vases and picture frames littered the carpet. Juliet rushed into the master bedroom and saw movement out of the corner of her eye. A tiny figure lay on the bathroom floor. Juliet fell to her knees beside Callie and gently turned her over. Callie’s face was nearly unrecognizable. Her eyes were swollen shut and her face was covered in blood and bruises. Nightmares of Annie rose up to choke her, but she shoved the memories back so she could think.

  “Callie? Wake up, honey,” Juliet whispered.

  Callie’s eyelashes flickered. “Juliet?”

  Juliet’s hand hovered over Callie’s stomach. “Are you okay? How’s the baby?”

  “He didn’t touch the baby.” As Juliet brushed back Callie’s hair she asked, “What are you doing here?”

  “I knew something was wrong. Freddy did this to you last night, didn’t he?”

  Her sister looked like a broken, pregnant doll. Rage made her lightheaded. If she had a gun and Freddy walked through the door she would pull the trigger and damn the consequences.

  “I need to take you to the hospital.” Juliet tried to think logically when nightmares of her own beating sloshed around in her head.

  “No, I’m fine,” Callie slurred. Blood trickled out of her mouth.

  “Fine? You can’t even open your eyes and you’re supposed to give birth soon. You’re going.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I do. I’ve had much worse,” Callie said wearily.

  Juliet trembled. “Please, let me take you to the hospital.”

  “No.”

  “Callie—”

  Callie braced her hand on the tub to get up. She moved like a ninety-year-old and shrugged Juliet off when she tried to help. Callie swayed on her feet and then stiffened her spine.

  “I want to shower.”

  “I can help—” Juliet began.

  “Why are you here?” Callie bellowed so suddenly that Juliet jumped. She hadn’t heard Callie yell… ever.

  “What?”

  “Why. Are. You. Here?”

  Juliet gestured ineffectively with her hands. “I knew something was wrong.”

  Callie spat blood into the tub and wiped her mouth. “Nothing’s wrong.”

  Callie’s face was a mass of blue and black and she’d just spoken the world’s fattest lie. Shocked horror fled. Juliet’s eyes narrowed.

  “Don’t say that.” It was Annie Grant’s favorite line. Hearing it from Callie’s lips made her want to vomit.

  “I want to bathe. Please, go.”

  “No.”

  Callie’s eyes were so swollen, all Juliet could see was a slice of blue.

  “What do you want?” Callie asked.

  “I want to help.”

  Callie sat on the lip of the tub and bowed her head. “No one can help me.”

  “I can.” She was incapable of leaving her sister like this.

  Callie said nothing.

  “I’m going to call—”

  “No!” Callie shrieked.

  “Okay.” She needed to keep Callie calm. Even though Callie looked like crap, she was talking, moving and thinking. That was good, right? “You want to bathe? I’ll help you.”

  “I don’t want your help.”

  “Too bad.”

  Juliet moved around Callie and turned on the tub faucet. She watched Callie like a hawk as she squirted scented oils into the water. Callie didn’t fight as Juliet unbuttoned her bloody pajamas and slipped it off. Juliet saw yellow patches beneath the fresh bruises. Apparently, Freddy beat her often. Juliet’s hands shook as she helped Callie into the tub and unwrapped a bucket that would be used to bathe the baby. Juliet dipped the bucket into the water and washed Callie’s hair. Her stomach dipped when the water turned murky brown from the blood. She massaged eucalyptus shampoo into Callie’s hair and forced herself to finish the job without shouting or bursting into tears. Neither of them said a word.

  After the bath, Callie dressed herself. Juliet stood rigid and alert nearby, waiting to jump in. Although she moved slowly, Callie didn’t falter. She dressed in a fuchsia button up shirt with long sleeves and leggings. All the bruises except the ones on her face were instantly covered. When Callie tried to brush her hair, she flinched.

  “Let me,” Juliet said and settled Callie on the edge of the bed. She gently ran the brush through her hair. “Does Scarlet know?” That question was uppermost in her mind. If Scarlet knew and allowed this to happen, Juliet would kill her.

  For a long minute, Callie said nothing and then, “No one knows.”

  Juliet wanted to rage. Instead, she asked, “How long has this been going on?”

  No answer.

  Juliet put the brush aside and knelt in front of Callie who stared straight ahead. Callie’s posture was impeccable. It must hurt, Juliet thought and took Callie’s cold hands in hers.

  “You’re pregnant,” Juliet said.

  Callie didn’t acknowledge this statement.

  Whatever resentment Juliet had towards Callie about the past dissolved. They had both been living in hell. Juliet wanted to hug her sister, but was afraid of hurting her. Tears in her eyes, Juliet brushed a gentle kiss over Callie’s hands. Callie tried to withdraw, but Juliet held on. For a moment, Callie’s face threatened to crumple and then it went blank once more.

  “I’m here,” Juliet whispered hoarsely.

  A tear slipped from Callie’s eye. Juliet beat back her own tears and stared at Callie’s battered face. How could she reach her?

  “He won’t hurt you again,” Juliet vowed.

  “He’s my husband.”

  “And I’m your sister,” Juliet said, voice shaking. “No one hurts you.”

  “I let you get hurt.”

  “I survived.”

  “So, will I.” Callie finally met her gaze. “I deserve this.”

  Juliet shook her head and the tears she tried to contain spilled down her cheeks. “No.”

  “I never stood up for you. I couldn’t stop Mom—”

  Juliet clasped Callie’s face between her hands. “Callie, you listen to me. Mom’s suicide is not on you.”

  “You want to take full ownership?” Callie asked with a sad shake of her head. “I shouldn’t have left her on her own so long.”

  “That’s on me and Gray, not you, Callie.”

  “Every day I go to work and tell myself I’ll tell Brent and Scarlet what really happened that night.” Callie’s lip seeped blood as her mouth curved into a sardonic smile. “And every day, I leave without saying a thing.”

  “I won’t let you do this to yourself,” Juliet said in a husky voice.

  “I let you down.”

  “I’m not mad at you, okay? That’s in the past. Why haven’t you told anyone about Freddy?”

  “Daddy picked Freddy for me.”

  Gray put gentle, submissive Callie with an abusive alcoholic? Juliet bowed her head to hide the snarl twisting her face and said, “You’re going to leave Freddy.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Why?” Juliet exploded and leapt to her feet. “Because Brent will be disappointed to lose his COO? You think he cares more about the company than you? Even I don’t think he’s that cold.”

  Callie’s silence answered Juliet’s question. Callie didn’t believe Brent would stand up for her. Rage burned in Juliet’s gut.

  “I’m going to get you out of this,” Juliet said.

  “No one can.”

  Juliet braced herself before she asked, “Do you love Freddy?”

  “I used to.”

  Juliet relaxed fractionally. “He isn’t ever going to touch you again, you hear me?�
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  “You can’t protect me from him.”

  “Look at me, Callie,” Juliet ordered. When her sister complied, she leaned close. “He will never touch you again. I promise.”

  Callie shook her head. “You don’t know him.”

  “I don’t have to. No one has the right to hit you. Pack a bag. You’re leaving.”

  “No.”

  Juliet ignored her denial. “Your daughter is coming. Are you going to let Freddy beat her?” Juliet tried to keep her temper on lockdown, but it raked at her insides. She wanted to break what was left of the pictures on the wall. If there was something she couldn’t stand it was a bully. Gray, Brent and now Freddy—bullies. She wouldn’t allow anyone to run roughshod over them as if they were nothing. They had rights, feelings and they were going to fight back.

  “I can protect my baby,” Callie said feebly.

  “You can’t protect yourself. How are you going to protect your baby?” Juliet couldn’t walk away from this. She couldn’t act as if it nothing happened. “Callie, you can walk away.”

  “I can’t!” There was panic in her voice. “If I leave him, I’ll have nothing! Just leave me alone, Juliet. I didn’t ask you to come here.”

  “Brent won’t pick Freddy over you.” Juliet couldn’t believe she was defending her asshole brother. If he didn’t back Callie up, she would make his life a living hell.

  “This has nothing to do with you!” Callie shouted and got to her feet.

  “You’re wrong. No one messes with my family, especially a prick that can’t keep it in his pants.”

  “He told me about a lady in the bar. He doesn’t know who you are, but he described you. I knew it was you. I’m sorry he hit on you. He can’t help it—”

  “Don’t apologize for him.”

  “But he’s my—”

  “He’s nothing,” Juliet said shortly. “Pack a bag. You’re leaving.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Juliet stalked to the closet, which was as tidy as a department store. She spotted a Vera Bradley luggage set and opened it. She grabbed anything stretchy and comfortable and ignored the ironed shirts and proper business suits.

  “What are you doing?” Callie gasped.

  “Getting you out of here.”

  “I have nowhere to go!”

  Callie stepped in front of her drawers to bar Juliet from her clothes.

  “That’s a great idea! We’ll buy you new clothes for your new life without that fucker.” Juliet marched to the bathroom and swiped cosmetics into the bag where they clinked together.

  “Juliet, stop!”

  Juliet marched downstairs, Callie trying to keep up and failing miserably. Juliet threw the front door open and was satisfied by the bang as it slammed into the wall. It did little to appease her as she went to the bug and tossed Callie’s bag into the backseat. Juliet glared at the other homes, all tidy and pristine. They knew. How could they not? Breaking glass, shouting and crying? Did no one fucking care about other people anymore? Trying to keep her head on straight and not go on a rampage, Juliet went back into the house and found Callie hunched over on the couch. Juliet rushed over.

  “You’re not going into labor, are you?”

  “You have to stop,” Callie gasped.

  “I’m going to call an ambulance—”

  “I’m not in labor, it’s a panic attack!” Callie got out between panting breaths and stared at her with pleading eyes. “Please, just leave.”

  “No. We’re getting you out of here.”

  “You can’t do this.”

  “Watch me.”

  “When you leave, everything will go back to the way it was,” Callie said in a dead voice. “Daddy won’t like this.”

  “I don’t give a shit what he wants.”

  “I do.”

  “Well, time to change.”

  “I can’t just—”

  “Yes, you can.” Juliet crouched in front of Callie and tossed caution to the wind. Her plans to live at a safe distance, in a bubble where nothing touched her didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except making sure her sister and the baby she carried were safe. “If you leave Freddy, I’ll stay.”

  Beneath the bruises, Callie paled. “What?”

  “I’ll take care of you.” Even as panic and uncertainty twisted her stomach into knots, Juliet kept talking, willing Callie to believe her. “I’m working with Maile. I already have another client. I can make enough for both of us. You can quit Grant Shipping.”

  Callie stared at her with tear-filled eyes and shook her head. “Why would you do that for me? I never stood up for you.”

  “That doesn’t matter.” Juliet grasped her hands as her mind raced. She had to get Callie out of this house, away from her husband and anyone that encouraged her to live like this. If she didn’t do something, Callie would end up like their mother. The image of Callie with her wrists slit made the words tumble out of her mouth in a rush. “I promise I’ll stay if you leave him. I’ll help you raise your daughter. You can stay home with her. I’ll do whatever I have to so we can make it. If Brent and Scarlet don’t support you, I’ll be here. I won’t let you fall, Callie.”

  “I can’t ask you to do that for me.”

  “You’re not asking, I’m offering.”

  “You might—”

  Juliet filled her voice with as much conviction as she could muster. “As long as you need me, I’ll stay.” When Callie opened her mouth to protest, she interrupted. “If I stay, you divorce him.”

  “Grants don’t divorce.”

  “You’re going to be a trailblazer,” Juliet declared and gestured to the ruined house. “Do you want your daughter to grow up like this?”

  Callie shook her head.

  “You deserve better. This is not the legacy you’re passing on.”

  Tears stained the collar of Callie’s pressed shirt. She stared straight ahead, a beaten, crying statue that didn’t make a sound. Juliet wanted to push, to control. It was the hardest thing in the world to sit there while Callie decided both their fates. Finally, Callie let out a long, shaky breath and gave her a nod. Lightheaded with relief, Juliet moved quickly, helping Callie up and leading her to the car. Callie reclined the seat so no one would see her. Juliet got behind the wheel and cranked the engine.

  “Where are we going?” Callie asked in a quavery voice.

  “Maile’s house.” After that, she wasn’t sure.

  Callie didn’t respond and Juliet took that as a good sign. Juliet glanced at Callie frequently throughout the ride, unable to comprehend that this was the life her sister had been living. How could Scarlet and Brent not know? They worked with her for God’s sake!

  Maile’s Bronco was still absent when they drove up to the house. Juliet settled Callie in the guest bedroom.

  “Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?” Juliet asked for the eighth time.

  “Yes.”

  Callie turned on her side and brushed her hand over the sheets. “I’m scared.”

  Juliet got into bed and wrapped her arms around her. “Don’t be. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  They lay there for an hour. Juliet made silent promises to Callie and felt her life shift again. She would stay and battle for Callie, no matter the cost to herself. Callie was her sister. It was her duty to care for her even if Lee, Scarlet or Brent didn’t feel the same. She would hire the best lawyer to make sure Freddy stayed away from Callie and the baby. A man who beat a pregnant woman was a monster.

  Chapter Seven

  When Callie drifted to sleep, Juliet pulled the curtains over the window. She paced in the kitchen and tried Lee’s cell, but it went straight to voicemail. She wished he was here. He was the voice of reason in the Grant family and didn’t see Callie often. It would be easy to hide this from him, but Scarlet and Brent? What was their excuse?

  Juliet took a quick shower since her clothes were smeared with Callie’s blood and raided Maile’s closet. She ended up with co
wboy boots, jean skirt and a barely there halter top. Juliet would do whatever it took to keep Callie safe, but she wanted to know what she was up against. Juliet couldn’t blame Brent for his feelings towards her, but what about Callie? Had Brent changed so much that he didn’t care about Callie’s well-being? Would she have to protect Callie from Freddy as well as Gray and her siblings? Juliet refused to believe that the family changed so much that they would allow Callie to live like this, regardless of the fact that Freddy was a wiz in business. If it was her against the Grants, she could lose and that was unacceptable.

  Juliet left a note for Callie before she left the house, making sure the door was locked before she sped through town to the Grant estate. Her mind couldn’t fully comprehend how any man could beat a pregnant woman, much less Callie who had Annie’s submissive and gentle temperament. Images of Callie’s battered face kept her feet firmly on the gas. The last place she wanted to visit was the Grant mansion, but she would go into hell itself if she had to.

  Juliet stopped at a traffic light. She glanced over at Hunter’s Bar and her rage imploded. Freddy’s Mercedes was in the parking lot. Juliet didn’t hesitate. She executed an illegal U turn and screeched to a halt in front of the bar. There were five guys inside, but she had eyes for only one. Freddy sat at the bar with three empty martini glasses in front of him. As Juliet approached, a lecherous smile tugged at his mouth.

  “Dominick couldn’t satisfy you?” Freddy sneered and grabbed his crotch. “We can do this in the bathroom if you’re that hot for me.”

  Juliet leaned forward, so close their lips nearly touched. “You disgust me.”

  Freddy blinked. “What did you say to me?”

  “You beat my sister,” Juliet said and her voice vibrated with emotion.

  Freddy blinked and then comprehension dawned. “You’re the adopted sister?”

  “Callie’s going to divorce you.”

  Freddy smirked. “She won’t.”

  His confidence made her see red. “And you should look for a new job.”