Page 295 of Wicked Brutal

Dad hasn’t moved from the window. “Does Roman know Jane had it?”

“I don’t know.”

“But Ally sent all that shit to you like the house was on fucking fire, then told Ryan she needed all three sweaters.”

“Yes.”

Dad turns around. “Then why the fuck are we still standing here?”

Arthur doesn’t argue. “We’re going.”

Everything moves. Mom takes over before anyone can start talking again. “Saoirse. Alice. Louise. Katya.” They’re already moving toward her. “Girls, stay here.”

Cat catches my hand as she passes. Just for a second. Her fingers squeeze mine. Then she’s gone with Penny, Becca, and Delilah.

Darla sets her bag on the counter. “If Ally has any bleeding, abdominal pain, dizziness, cramping — anything — you get me immediately.”

“Guest room is ready,” Mom says.

“Toby’s room too,” Dad says.

Mom looks at him. “I know.” His face tightens. She catches his arm before he can turn away. “Walter.” He looks at her. “Bring them home.”

“I will.”

“All three.”

Dad covers her hand with his. “All three.”

She lets him go. We’re out the door.

Arthur starts talking before we reach the bottom of the steps. “Alison is eighteen. Jane is an adult. If they walk out of that house, Roman cannot legally force either of them back inside.”

“Toby,” Dad says immediately.

“Tobias is different.”

Dad keeps walking. “Don’t like that sentence.”

“You don’t have to like it.”

“He’s coming with us.”

“Walter.”

“He’s coming with us.”

“We do not remove a minor child from his legal father’s custody, against that parent’s objection, unless the child is in immediate danger.”

Dad finally looks at him. “He put his fucking hands on him.”

“I know.”

“You saw the pictures.”

“I did.”

“He left marks on my little buddy.”