Chapter Forty-Four
Luke
Thank fuck my parents always have a driver on standby, because there is no way I could have driven us all the way back home right now. The streets pass by in a blur of darkness. Not many people are out and about at this time of night. It’s calming, peaceful even, but also unsettling. Fallon hasn’t spoken a word since stepping foot inside the car. But then again, neither have I. How things could turn so quickly is beyond me. I tried to take her hand after a few minutes, but she kept her hands locked on her knee. I don’t think she even realised I did it.
I can't believe my father got involved the way he did. It just goes to show how much Fallon and I mean to him. Even after such a short amount of time knowing her, she has that effect on people. She is a very hard woman not to love.
There is still a while left until we get to the hospital, so I pull out my phone. I have alreadygiven Will and Dom the heads up. Both were on shift anyway, but they will make sure they're the ones caring for Dad when we get there, as I'm not allowed to, being family and all. I feel so helpless, but there is someone who I know can help, and has always said he would be there if I needed him.
Luke– Are you awake?
Tommy– What do you need?
I knew this would be the response I'd get. Tommy is a man of few words, but you can rely on him without a moment's notice.
Luke– Long story. Too long for a text message, but I can’t call while Fallon is in the car. All you need to know for now is that we’re both okay. I need you and Maya to get to Worcester Hospital and see if you can bring Jenson along too.
Tommy– On it. We’ll be there in twenty.
I never thought I'd be the kind of man to betray the woman I love's trust. But tonight has changed everything. He needs to know what happened all those years ago; without knowing everything, he won't be able to help.
The time drags by, but the moment the car stops outside the double doors of the emergency department, we’re greeted by the whole gang. Tommy didn’t mess around. Her full friendshipgroup is here. Maya rushes over to Fallon, wraps her arms around her neck so tightly, I'm surprised she can breathe.
“Oh babe, what happened? Are you hurt?” She rushes out, her voice getting higher pitched with each word.
“I’m fine, just a bump on the head,” she says in a daze. “John…” she chokes on her words, swallowing hard before continuing. “He tried to shoot me. He didn’t. But he tried to. He hurt Luke's dad.”
“Fuck,” Maya’s breath leaves her. “Let's go inside and see how he’s doing.”
She takes her by the arm, pulling her over to the receptionist, Gracie, Blair and Lucy following along behind them. Fallon glances back, though, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. I give her a nod to go ahead. I have been kept up to date with everything from the boys, so I know he is doing okay. Right now, it's Tommy I need to speak to.
When they're out of earshot, I turn to the boys beside me. Tommy, Jenson and Max are standing like bouncers, silently waiting for me to fill them in when the time is right.
“Thank you for coming,” I start, but look closer at the brothers. “I don’t know where to start. It’s a long fucking story, and not my story to tell.” I shake my head, hoping she will forgive me for this. “Fallon was in an abusive relationship in her teens; he didn’t take the breakupwell, and she has lived with it for years. I’ll let her fill you in on the rest, as there is much more to unpack. But, recently, she’s been supporting a woman who wanted to leave him. He has found out and lost his shit. Now, the woman is missing, and he rocked up to my parents' house, pointing a gun at Fallon. I managed to get her out of the way, but my dad got caught in it all.”
I drag my hands down my face, not knowing what the hell I'm supposed to be doing. I know I'm rambling, but how the fuck am I meant to explain this whole fucked up story? A story that I'm not sure I even know the whole truth of.
Tommy and Max stay silent, a deathly glare etched on both of their faces. Unsurprisingly, it’s Jenson who speaks first, stepping closer and pulling out his phone.
“What's her name? Do you have her address?” He asks so matter-of-factly, yet not looking up at me as I answer.
The questions keep coming, and I tell him everything I know. Tommy and Max listen intently, and I don’t miss how strained Tommy's fists look, or the tick in Max’s jaw. Once Jenson has everything he needs, he walks off without another word in the direction of the car park.
“Listen, when Fallon finds out that I told you…” I begin to say, but Max interrupts.
“Fallon won’t find out.”
My brows crease as I look at him. What the hell? Of course she will.
“She won't find out because we’re not going to tell her. From the sound of things, she’s had enough taken without her consent. She can tell us this story in her own time.”
“Agreed,” Tommy says, his voice weaker than before. “Thank you for coming to us, and thank you for being there for her.”
“Honestly, I feel like I've let her down. It didn’t even cross my mind that he would do something like this,” I admit.
Max steps closer, gripping my shoulder in his hand. “Listen, you did everything you could by pushing our sister out of the way. She is lucky to have you.”
I give him a slight nod, not totally agreeing, but appreciating the words.
