“I know.The family who own that land are not going to be happy with a man like Black using it.And before you ask, no, they wouldn’t help a man like him.They aren’t law-abiding citizens but they do not deal with rapists or abusers.”
“Fuck,” Liam murmurs before the car falls silent.
The adrenaline leaves my body and I slump back in my seat.“My phone is still ringing,” I admit quietly.“I’m too scared to answer.”
“Lily is covered.When I spoke to Isaac, they had dealt with that too.You know the bed and breakfast has been dealt with,” Jaxon replies back.
“My sisters have it sorted too.It took longer than you guys because Magnolia wouldn’t let Summer call the police until she had a bit of payback.Those kids will turn their lives around now.Trust me,” she replies.“You should check on your mum though.”
The car swerves for a second before Jaxon gets his shit together.“What did they do?You said...Actually, you didn’t say anything.Speak, Reid.Fucking tell me what happened.”
“Black was at the house,” I force out, unable to tell him anymore.“Please don’t make me describe what I saw.Please.”
“Reid, fucking tell me before I pull the car over,” he roars, slamming his hands on the steering wheel.“Fucking tell me.”
“She was beaten,” Malia rushes out, placing her hand on his shoulder.“Badly.But she’s going to be okay.Reid, just call your sister.”
“Fuck, you mentioned Milly being taken and that’s all I could focus on.I should have pushed you,” he stresses, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel.“Please tell me she’s okay.Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.”
I call Paisley when I see Jaxon still isn’t calming.They should be at the hospital now.We’ve been driving awhile.“Hey,” she greets, sounding empty and drained.I put her on loudspeaker since I don’t want to repeat her update.I just hope it’s not bad since Jaxon is still driving.He’s not speeding as much as before, but it will still cause damage if he doesn’t keep his eyes on the road.
“Is she okay?”
“Once they assess all her injuries, she will be going down to X-ray for her ribs.We’ve not been here long.The paramedic said Mum will need a specialist to look at and treat the burn on her neck.It may require plastic surgery.We will know more once they are done.”
I quickly glance at my brother as I bring the phone closer to my mouth.“And the other thing?Did any of them mention that?”
Paisley hesitates and I hear her shaky breath as she exhales.“It was the first thing they did when we got here.They have to take samples for evidence, and it’s better to do it right away.”
My stomach drops and the phone nearly slips from my fingers at what she is implying.“So she was...”Jesus, I can’t even fucking speak the words.
“No, no.She has bruising to her thighs, but there are no signs of sexual assault.It’s all they would give us before they kicked us out of the room.”
I feel Liam move before I see him.He reaches for the steering wheel.“Pull over,” he yells to Jaxon.We are on a back road so the closest safe space is in front of a gate to a farm.As soon as the car stops, Jaxon flies out of the car, his fist hitting the bonnet of the car over and over.
My head hangs and I no longer hear the words coming from Paisley.Malia takes the phone from me, and I’m thankful.Relief hits me but not in the same way it has before.Because she is still hurt.It still nearly happened.
I don’t realise I’m crying until the tears fall into my hands that are balled into fists in my lap.I hear Liam telling Jaxon to calm down and to get it together or he will drive.I don’t hear Jaxon’s reply.I keep my head down, my gaze on my hands.
We’re driving again, but I’m barely aware.“Malia, can you find out where Maverick and Max are,” Liam asks, and I look up to find his gaze focused on Jaxon.“Eli, Wyatt and Luke are five minutes behind us.”
“How far are we from the strip?”she asks.“I’ll use Reid’s phone.”
“Fifteen minutes tops.We’ll hit that road in ten minutes,” he answers.
“Maverick and Max are five behind too.But they said they aren’t alone.Their brothers are with them,” Malia explains before turning to me.“Um, isn’t Evie your brother’s girlfriend?”
“Yeah, why?”I ask.
“She’s messaged you saying the twins have disappeared.She thought they made their way to the hospital when they heard about your mum but they aren’t there.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Liam growls.
“What?”I ask, although I’m afraid of the answer.
“They are on their way to the strip.Coming from the other side.”
“How?”I ask, then groan.“Please tell me they’ve not got a taxi there.”
