Page 8 of The Vampire and the Barista

CHAPTER 4

Jamie hung up after talking to Max and blew out a breath. It shouldn’t take long for Max to arrive. He’d have to make sure he somehow filled Max’s car up with petrol on his return.

He jumped when his phone rang and saw his brother’s name flash up. He quickly answered. “How are you both?”

“Pretty sure Kitty has a broken arm. Jay, we can’t stay here.”

“What?!” he exclaimed. “I’ll be there in a few hours, depending on the traffic. Can you create a sling and put Kitty’s arm in it?”

“Yeah, I have done, but it’s really swelling up.”

“Did your mum break it?”

“Yeah. I’ll explain everything when you get here. Dad’s working overtime and mum’s passed out. I’m getting us out of here.”

“Can you go to a friend's ?”

“Probably not, they might call the police and social services. Jay, we can’t go into care.”

“You won’t need to. Is there still that house climbing frame in the park?”

“Yeah. We’ll hide there. We can leave now, at least it should keep us dry until you come.”

“Okay, stay safe and remember I’m coming for you both and will have you safe as soon as possible.”

“Thanks, Jay,” he said before hanging up.

Jamie dropped his hand, his phone falling onto his lap as he hit his head on the steering wheel. He was such a failure as a brother. Even Karl seemed stronger at the moment than he felt. Why had their mum broken Kitty’s arm? Were Karl and Kitty lying to him about the physical abuse? And why now, when he needed it the most, had his car decided to die? Was it too much to ask that it would work, even if it was just for tonight?

He jumped as he heard someone knock on his window. He looked up, surprised to see Dave standing there.

He picked his phone up and then got out of the car, just as Max hurried over. Both Dave and Max wrapped Jamie up in a hug.

He gave a sniff and pulled back. “Sorry,” Jamie said. “Thank you for coming.”

“What happened?” Max asked him.

“My step-mum broke Kitty’s arm,” he said softly.

“Then I will make her pay for causing your sister pain,” Ivan said, scowling.

Jamie’s eyes flew to Ivan, and he gasped in surprise. He couldn’t believe that Ivan was here. How was Ivan here and looking oh so fine? Jamie internally shook his head, he shouldn’t be thinking things like that while in crisis mode.

“We were all at dinner together when you phoned,” Dave explained, breaking into his thoughts.

“And I am coming with you to rescue your siblings. We’ll take my car. If you give your keys to one of the others, they can sort your car out for you.”

Jamie gave Ivan a small smile. “It will need to be towed somewhere until I can afford the repairs, as there isn’t even a spark of life left in it.”

Seth held his hand out for the keys. “Leave it with us, you focus on you and Ivan rescuing your siblings.”

Jamie handed them over, overcome again with emotions that he seemed to have more help than he thought. He cleared his throat. “Thanks.”

Dave patted his shoulder. “Go get your brother and sister. While you guys do that, we’ll sort out sleeping arrangements for you.”

Jamie looked at him in surprise. “You will?”

“We will. Leave everything to us, just focus on saving your family.”