CHAPTER TWENTY
Reid
Summer races over toMilly, checking her over as soon as the police have Katherine in cuffs.Her accomplice—and perhaps boyfriend—is next to her in the same position.Mum drops down next to Paisley and Rex.
“I’ve called Faith.She’s coming over.”
“It’s all my fault,” Milly whispers, tears streaming down her cheeks.It’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed her act her age.She looks so vulnerable, so innocent and my heart breaks for the pain in her voice.“He wouldn’t have gotten hurt if he hadn’t saved me.I couldn’t move.I couldn’t move.It was like the dream with the bad man and I can’t run like you asked me to.I couldn’t move.Just like before.And Rex got hurt.Like you got hurt.”
A choked whimper escapes Malia as she reaches for the little girl.“Shush, shush, baby.You’re okay.You were brave, and so was Rex.”
I have a suspicion that Malia wants to say more, but her expression shutters down and she just clutches Malia tighter.Something happened, something that gave that little girl nightmares.That wasn’t a dream where you are dreaming about being a superhero, only you can’t fucking run or move to fight the aliens.This is real shit.They were in a situation where Malia had to beg this little girl to run, but she had been too scared to.
Paisley shakily reaches for the little girl, taking her hand.“I’m glad he saved you, Milly.Really glad.This isn’t your fault.”
“Can someone stop her fucking screaming,” I roar, spinning to the policeman.“Gag the silly bitch.”
Hatred fills her eyes as she glares at me.“Fuck you!Fuck all of you,” she screams and turns to the policeman.“They killed my father.I know they did.You should be looking into them.Not us.We’ve done nothing wrong.You’ll see.They did this.They framed us.They killed my dad.I know they did.He would have called me.”
The lies are clear as they come out of her mouth.Any doubts we had about him being alive or dead are cleared up by her statement.He’s alive.And the fucking bitch knows where he is.
Jaxon shares a brief look with me, then with the police officer to make sure he’s listening when he makes his remark.“So that’s the story they’re going with,” he snorts.
Eli grunts.“Fucker will be found.There’s no way, with all the attention he’s getting, he won’t be.”
Her screech echoes in the air.“He’s innocent.I’m innocent.You guys are going to pay for this.”
“Bitch, shut the fuck up before I shut you up.You nearly killed my baby sister.If the dog hadn’t got her out of the way, she would be under your fucking wheels,” Malia points out, her teeth clenched.“And believe me, bitch, I am going to make sure you get life.”
“You liar,” Katherine roars, her voice hoarse.“The dog ran out.The kid was nowhere near me.They’re framing me.”
“There are cameras,” Summer helpfully adds.“If Paisley gives me permission, I can get the footage sent to you.”
“You bitch,” Katherine hisses, hatred still pouring out of her.
“Paisley?”Milly calls out.“Are you okay?”
My gaze moves from the woman who looks a minute away from snapping, she’s that skinny, to my sister.
Her face is still pale and wet from tears, but it’s her eyes that have me tensing.“I...I need...”
I rush to the ground next to her when she collapses.“Mum, get her bag,” I yell, lifting Paisley’s head.“Paisley, did you eat today?”I ask, tapping her cheek to wake her up.
Rex begins to growl, the sound weak as he licks Paisley’s hand.
“Is she diabetic?”Summer asks, not getting too close because of the dog.
