“So, she’s driving through the night while that maniac is on the loose?”Darryn bellowed and winced as pain nearly blinded him.
“If you don’t calm down, we’re dragging you to the hospital,” Hank cautioned him.
“Just get her here, please?”he asked before dizziness and fatigue forced him to close his eyes again.
*
How exactly shefinally reached Darryn’s house, Hannah wasn’t sure.She kept her eyes on the white line of the road, her foot on the pedal, and she drove.Anger kept her wide awake throughout the ninety-minute drive.She made one stop to put in more gas, but she hadn’t even gotten out of the car.
She’d left Darryn after spending an incredible night with him, had left her sister, hadn’t contacted any friends or anyone else in her family to make sure they would be all safe.And what did the bastard do?He attacked Darryn—the love of her life, in spite of everything.
So she was done playing nice.It was time to confront this creep.If he wanted her, then that was what he’d get.She didn’t often get angry, but this had gone on long enough.How many people had to get hurt because this guy was out of control?It was going to stop.
Don’s car was parked in front of Darryn’s house when she finally turned into his driveway and stopped in front of the gates.She checked the clock.It was three o’clock in the morning.
As she got out of the car, the front door opened and Don stepped out.She rushed forward, so glad to see a familiar face.He caught her in his arms.
“Hannah, I’m so glad you’re here.”He breathed while he held her close.“Are you—”
“I’m fine.Where’s Darryn?How is he?”Her voice wobbled slightly on the last word.
“He’ll live.”Don smile was lopsided and he pulled her into the house.“He’s sleeping at the moment.”
“What did Stephen do to him?”She bit her trembling lip.
“Hit him with something—on his shoulder, his head.I have to warn you, he doesn’t look good.His usually ugly face is even uglier.”He chuckled and pressed a hand to her shoulder.
A sob escaped and Don took her arm.“Come and sit down, I’ve made tea.”He handed her his phone.“But first, please call Caitlin.”
He didn’t have to say they were mad with worry at this point, she could just imagine.
“He threatened to hurt Darryn, to hurt my family,” she tried to explain.“That’s why I left.But now he’s hurt him anyway,” she ended on a near-sob.
“We thought that was probably what happened.What you seem to forget is that we’re family now.You’re not alone in this.If you are in trouble, we all are; if you’re unhappy, so are we.White succeeded in cutting you off from your family and friends—that’s not a place where you have to be.You are not alone.Call your sister,” he said again.
With unsteady fingers, she dialed Caitlin’s number.
“Hannah?”It was her mom on the other side of the line.
Try as she might, she couldn’t stop the tears.“Mom.”She got the word out before the tears started falling.
“Sweetheart?”her mother asked in a broken voice.“Where are you?Are you okay?”
Hannah sniffed and wiped her face.“I’m okay, Mom.Mad as hell, but fine.I’ve just arrived at Darryn’s house.”
“Mad is good,” her mother said, and she could hear the smile in her voice.“We’re all mad now.You go to sleep now, you hear?We’ll all be there tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks, Mom,” she said.
Smiling, Don took the phone from her while he pushed a cup of tea in front of her.
“Drink up.I’ve added something a little stronger to make you sleep.”
“I want to…I need to see Darryn, please?”
“Of course.Drink up.I’ll get your suitcase from the car.”
A few minutes later she was standing next to Darryn’s bed.Don had left the light on in the hallway.One side of Darryn’s face was swollen.He was restless, turning his head, fidgeting with the sheets.
