by Silla Webb
I plop down in the seat of the Camaro, starting the engine and flip the air conditioner on instead of the heat. My phone chirps so I pull it from my purse to check the message.
Luke: We need to talk.
I reply quickly as I shift the car in reverse.
Me: Come by the office in an hour.
I pull onto the road heading east towards Simon Energy. The sun peeks through the clouds shooting bright, sparkly rays of light through the bare trees that are begging for spring to welcome them new life. Ten minutes into the drive I notice a black SUV in my rearview mirror, trailing me closely. Since the roads are dry I speed up a bit, ignoring the other driver. Damn, I hope this is sheer coincidence. The black SUV hangs back, hugging the curves with ease as he follows behind me at a safe distance. Suddenly, the driver whips to my left and comes zooming around me. My heart lurches into my throat as I brace the steering wheel tightly, ready for the impact. He speeds off into the distance, driving so fast that I couldn’t even get a glimpse at his license plate. This is the second time I’ve been followed by this asshole, and I fear what the driver’s motives are. These back hill country roads are narrow and winding with cliffs that could send you tumbling to your demise within seconds. The worst thing about it is if you go over nobody would even know you were there unless they watched you tip the cliff.
My heart thunders in my chest as the anxiety consumes me, and I crank up the stereo to take my mind off of the elusive driver. The thudding bass of music pounds in my ears, calming me slowly as I drive to the mines. The more days I spend in Williamstown, the more I wish I’d never returned. Too much danger lies here.
When I pull into the gravel lot I see a black Range Rover parked in my space. I park beside the sleek SUV then shut the engine of the Camaro down. Making my way around the back of the car, the door to the Range Rover swings open revealing Drew Varney. He climbs from the car and straightens his jacket as he looks up at me with an evil smirk. “Mornin’ Sis. How are you this beautiful day?” He leans against the car crossing his arms over his chest.
“Damn, I guess I’m gonna have to have a talk with security about letting bastards on my property. The exit’s that way…move your piece of shit import, before I have you removed by the KSP for trespassing.” I sneer as I begin walking to the office.
“You know, Carly, things would be so much easier on the both of us if you just hand over what is rightfully mine.”
“Not havin’ this conversation with you this morning Drew. But I will ask, why is it that you drag your sorry ass around both times that there has been vandalism at my mines? I don’t see it as a coincidence at all. So if you think costing me money is gonna scare me into handing over the company, you best find a better way to come at me. Because so far, I’m not impressed.” I glance at him boringly.
“Carly, if you are accusing me of anything, you better have your facts straight first.” He chuckles.
“Oh you’ll slip up soon enough you son of a bitch and when you do I’ll have you by your damn balls!”
The sinister laugh that erupts from his chest causes me to take a step back. “Oh the look on your face when you heard Brailee and Braden call me Uncle Drew was priceless.” He takes a step forward closing the space between us, his laughter dying. Through gritted teeth he sneers, “Don’t count on me giving up or slipping up. One thing our bastard Dad did teach me was to always cover my ass.” I lurch backward trying to distance myself from him. You can’t trust this bastard.
“You were clever pulling the wool over Savannah’s eyes. Making her fall in love with Josh, building their happy little family. But nothing is ever as it appears. I’ll figure out that son of a bitch’s secrets soon enough too. Now, you have two seconds to get in your car and get your ass off of my property before I call the KSP. I’m giving you the opportunity to go willingly or you can have some nice silver bracelets if you prefer.” He clutches his hand around my throat shoving my back against the Camaro, raising my feet off the ground. Nose to nose I peer into his hazel eyes, and the look of evil staring back at me causes my heart to race.
“Don’t threaten me Carly. You have one month to sign Simon Energy over to me before my wrath of hell unleashes on all that you love.” I try to pull the air into my lungs, but the grip of his strong hands around my throat is too tight. My vision blurs as I claw against his hand, and he laughs at my attempt to break free. “Such a pathetic, stupid little bitch. You disgust me,” he seethes, and the scent of bourbon on his breath causes my stomach to roll.
Suddenly, the grip on my throat loosens and I fall to the ground. My head thuds against the concrete as I fight to draw air into my lungs quickly. My vision blurs a white, foggy haze and my chest constricts tightly as fear races through my veins. I flutter my eyes up searching for Drew and see Colton’s hand braced around his throat. His right fist crashes against the side of Drew’s face as blood splatters against the rim of the Range Rover. Drew reaches out clawing at Colton’s face, swinging his arms about trying to land any point of contact necessary. But Colton’s adrenaline is wild with fury and far too much for Drew to contain. Colton continues to beat Drew in the face and head until Drew’s arms fall limp to the ground and he’s gargling on his own blood.
Something in Colton breaks when he sees me pleading with the ground for oxygen. He rushes over and gently scoops me up into his arms, carrying me quickly to his truck. Laying me in the front seat, he hurries around the hood of the truck then climbs inside roaring the engine to life quickly. He pulls his cell phone from his pocket and yells into the phone when the caller answers. I can only hear Colton’s side of the conversation and my head lulls between lucidity and dream as he speaks. Police, attacked, girlfriend, bleeding…silence.
The oxygen I’ve been clinging too over the last few minutes finally escapes me and the world falls black. Thump. Thump. Thump. I hear, slowly assaulting my ears. I feel heavy, cold; lifeless even. I just want to crawl into the peacefulness and let the darkness wash away every thought and memory that possesses my mind. I feel a warm hand encase my face and as quickly as the oxygen escaped my lungs, it now soars through me. I jolt upright suddenly panting for air. Looking around me I see a worried Colton with blood stained knuckles gripping the steering wheel as the barren trees flash by us swiftly.
“Wh-wha-what hap-ppened.” I stammer slowly.
“Lay back, we’re almost at the hospital.” He begs, worry filling his tired eyes.
“N-no. N-no ho-sp, hosp-spiittal. Pweeese.” I beg and I can’t understand why my words are so slurred.
“Darlin’, you fell. We have to have the baby checked out. Damn it, don’t argue with me woman.” He yells before punching the steering wheel, causing blood to ooze from the open wounds. I curl my legs into my chest wincing my eyes shut. The curvy roads take my stomach with them on each twist and turn and it takes everything in me not to vomit. Suddenly the truck halts to an abrupt stop, but when I open my eyes everything is fuzzy. I hear the truck door slam shut then cold air blankets my face. I feel strong, warm arms encase me and my body bounces with each step. Noise envelopes my hearing, but when I try to pry my heavy eyes open, the light sends throbbing pain through my head. Shouting, beeping, and the distinct sterile smell tells me we’re in the hospital.
“Sir, please lay her on this bed, and the doctor will be right in to exam her.” I hear the nurse state. She sounds old, but her dialect is laced with true southern charm.
“Hell no! I ain’t lettin’ her go. You scoot your ass and tell that doctor to get my darlin’ checked now.” He barks out loudly, and I wince in his arms at his thunderous tone. “Shhh, darlin’ I got ya. Just don’t go to sleep. Pinch my arm, and let me know you’re still with me.” He begs softly. I will my fingers to pinch him lightly and he sighs quietly at my tender touch.
“I’m Dr. Mayer, what appears to have happened to Ms. Simon?” the doctor asks as he enters the room.
“She was attacked and thrown to the ground. She’s pregnant, I think maybe around te
n to twelve weeks; hell, I don’t know.” Colton grumbles in a state of panic.
“Okay, son. I’m gonna need you to lay her on the bed, so I can examine her. I know you’re concerned, but you can sit right beside her and hold her hand.” I feel Colton’s chest tighten as he stands and lays me down on the thin, hard mattress. As soon as I leave his arms, I shiver from the cold that encompasses me. I feel his hand grasp mine, and the heat of his hand spreads like wild fire through my body.
“Ms. Simon, if you can hear me please make any noise.”
I straggle out a dry whimper and Colton’s hand squeezes mine.
“Good. Now, please lie still. I need to check your pupils.” He says as he shines a light in my eyes and I immediately want to throat punch him for the blinding throbs of pain that echo through my head.
“Ugggghh,” I moan out slowly.
“Is your head hurting?”
“Ugggh,”
“Nauseas?” I respond again with a whimper.
“Sir, did she hit her head?” The doctor asks Colton, who’s breathing is rushed as it rattles around in his chest.
“I don’t know. It all happened so fast.”
“From the symptoms she’s showing, I’m going to clinically diagnose her with a concussion. I won’t do a CT scan because that’s harmful to the baby. I’ll do a pelvic exam to check for any bleeding then we will do the Doppler to determine that the baby’s active before we take any further measures.” He pauses briefly and I hear footsteps growing dimmer in the background of the ER racket. “I’ll be back shortly with a female nurse to examine Ms. Simon.”
I hear metal scrape the floor then Colton leans close to my face, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Please be okay, darlin’.” He whispers softly. I turn on my side pressing the stiff pillow against my face, trying to block the bright fluorescent lights from my eyes. My head throbs intensely with pain so I squeeze his hand lightly, and revel in the feeling of his hand wrapped around mine. Just his presence has calmed my scattered heart beat and I feel a familiar safety that only he can give me.
When the doctor and nurse come back into the room, they ask Colton to step out into the waiting room while they examine me. I sigh in relief. He hasn’t heard the baby’s heartbeat yet, and I think it would be too much for him still yet.
It’s the most humiliating thing for a woman; to have a strange man poking around in your lady bits just because. The vaginal exam is over as quickly as it began. I feel a cold dollop of goo hit my stomach and I bite down on the inside of my lip scared that there may be no tiny thumps to be heard. Piercing my eyes shut, the nurse scans the Doppler wand over my abdomen and the distinct sound of static feels the air. I want to cry out because of the silence, but when she scans the wand over my left side a strong thump thump fills the room, saving me from asphyxiation. “The baby’s heart beat is a steady one hundred sixty beats per minute, Dr. Mayer,” the nurse announces.
“Thank you, Rhonda. If you’ll find her boyfriend for me, I’d be much obliged.” He replies kindly. “Miss Simon, I want you to open your lips and take a sip of some juice for me. That may help with the dry sensation you’re feeling in your throat.” I follow his instructions and immediately the cotton feeling that was digging at my esophagus subsides. “There are some officers here that would like to ask you some questions. I can ask that they speak with you later, or now if you’re up to it. The choice is yours.”
“La-aater, please.” I drag out slowly. My throat feels like I’ve been eating sandpaper all damn day.
“Very well. We’ll let you rest for about an hour then check in on you again before discharging you home. I’ll have the police officers make arrangements with Mr. Weston to take your statement possibly tomorrow.” I nod slowly, not able to find the strength to speak.
Two hours later, I’m woken up by the truck door slamming shut. Colton lifts me up into his arms, carrying me inside of the house where he lays me down on the couch. Mmmm, the delicious scent of the ocean breeze blankets me and the sleek leather is soft and cool to the touch. Inhaling a long deep breath, I’m instantly aware of my surroundings. My heart constricts tightly in my chest as I raise up quickly, flickering my eyes around the room. “Woah, settle down. Don’t need to be movin’ so fast there, darlin’.”
“Colton? Why the hell am I here?” I mutter in a dry, raspy voice. My head throbs harshly, the pain echoing through my ears.
“Do you remember anything about when you arrived at the mines, Carly Jo?”
I run my fingers through my tattered hair, searching my memory. Why the hell does my head hurt so damn bad? “I need a drink, please.” I whisper. Colton stomps off to the kitchen, returning quickly with a glass of sweet tea and Tylenol.
“Here, darlin’. The doctor said your head would hurt for a few days with the concussion.” He sinks down on the couch beside me. “Do you remember anything, Carly Jo? Why the hell did Drew Varney have his damn hands around your throat?”
“Drew?”
“Listen, baby. I know you’re not feelin’ well, and I understand that the two of us ain’t on the best of terms. But I’ll be damned if I won’t be gettin’ answers as to why he attacked you.” He barks out, his husky voice getting deeper and louder the madder he gets.
“It’s complicated, Colton; and I really don’t feel up to havin’ this little chat with you particularly at this moment. Just take me home, please.” I whine, fighting for my strength to stand up on my own two feet. He gently wraps his calloused hand around my wrists, drawing me back down beside him. He tips my chin up with his finger, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
“You ain’t goin’ anywhere tonight, darlin’. Now, tell me what the hell’s goin’ on.”
This is it. The secrets I’ve buried deep beneath the surface, as far down as I can hide them; I’m about to expose all of the lies and illusions of Big John Simon. Dragging in a scattered deep breath, I wring my hands in my lap nervously as I begin to tell Daddy’s secrets. “I’m only telling you this because I know you are the only person that I can rely on to protect me. Drew Varney is Big John’s bastard son.” His eyes widen as big as saucers as shock covers his face. “I didn’t know until I moved back. Do you remember that big oak chest you warned me about?” He nods. “I found some documentation linking Drew to Daddy; life insurance policies that weren’t discussed during the will reading. I asked James McCoy to look further into it and he reluctantly showed me the results from the DNA test that Daddy had when Drew was born.” I close my eyes, fighting back the tears of shame from the lies he led. “He hid this dark truth from everyone, Colton, for twenty some years. Now that Daddy is gone Drew wants Simon Energy and I’m fightin’ like hell to keep him from taking it from me.”
“That’s some deep shit.” He scrubs his hand over his face, his eyes are heavy and tired, and I’m sure he’s teetering on the edge of sleep deprivation. “Does Savannah know?” He asks.
I chew on my lip nervously, biting down hard enough to taste the metallic of my blood. “She doesn’t.” I whisper in a mouse like voice, dropping my head in my hands. “The worst part, Colton,” I pause dragging my hitched breath from my throat, “Drew has been a part of her life for years. Her son of a bitch husband, Josh, is Drew’s right hand man at AHCC.”
Colton leans back against the couch, scrubbing his hand roughly over his face. “You gotta tell her, Carly Jo. She deserves to know.”
“I’m trying to protect her, Colton. Savannah has been so different lately. She thinks Drew hung the moon and it scares me what may happen if she finds out.” I sob, choking on the tears. Colton wraps his arm around me tightly pulling me into his lap. I press my forehead to his shoulder, and cry out all of the pain of carrying Daddy’s secrets. Letting his secrets out, I feel no relief only more shame.
“Darlin’, you know he can’t legally take the mines from you; so stop worryin’ about that. We may not be together, but I’ll never let anything happen to you. I’ll protect you from everything that I can.”
And as comforting as his touch, I find comfort in his words. I know that no matter what happens between Colton and me, I can always count on him to be there when I need him. He may harbor resentment towards me for breaking his heart when he was trying so hard to prove his love to me; but he proved to me today that he’d never turn his back on me. He could have kept walking when he saw Drew attacking me, pretended that he didn’t see anything. But he didn’t. He can give me the cold shoulder and turn away from me, making me feel alone. But deep down, I know that Colton has never stopped loving me; nor will he ever.
Chapter 16
I slept like a baby last night snuggled close to Colton’s side. I don’t think he slept a wink all night as he laid watching over me. I wake up to the savory scent of bacon frying. I pad off to the kitchen zombie-fied in my steps, my hair a disheveled mess all over my head. But at thirteen weeks pregnant my appetite is finally back in full force and I’m starving, so I really don’t care. Colton has seen me at my worse too many times to count, one more ain’t gonna hurt a thing.
“Mornin’ sleepy head, how ‘bout some pancakes and bacon?” He asks sliding a plate in front of me. A man after my own heart, that Colton Weston. I lick my lips at the delectable stack of buttery pancakes before me, completely unaware that Colton’s eyeing me suspiciously. He releases a heavy grunt that catches my attention and I blush when I realize he’s been watching my mouth water over pancakes. I ignore his gaze, cutting into the pancakes and shoving a forkful in my mouth, moaning loudly around the food. Colton cocks an eyebrow up at me with an evil grin before he chuckles.
“Glad you’re finally eatin’. Had me a little worried there for a while, but it ain’t my place to say anything.” Sadness cracks in his voice.
“The first trimester was hard, but I feel more myself now.” I shrug, keeping my eyes down at my plate as I eat quickly, ready to haul ass out of here. Colton sips on his coffee as he keeps his eyes pinned on me and the harder he stares, the more self-conscious I feel. “Do I have syrup on my face?”