I shake my head, desperately wishing I could. “No. This seems private. Tell me afterward if you want to.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he tells me. “Hurry up.”
With that, he turns back around and continues forward. I race up to them, quickly catching up. Noah takes my hand as he pushes through a door into a small room that looks over the whole racetrack, only it’s quiet and we can actually hear ourselves think.
“Would you like to sit?” Noah asks, turning to face Lacey.
She gives him a tight smile and drops down into a chair as we all crowd around and do the same. Noah keeps his hand in mine and something tells me it’s there for support rather than just liking me close. “Where to start?” she says. “Gosh, this is nerve wracking.”
“Why don’t you start at the beginning?”
Lacey looks down as tears begin to fill her eyes. “Your sister is the best person I’ve ever known. She saved my life,” she tells us. “I’m a Leukemia survivor and if it wasn’t for Lily, I wouldn’t have had the strength to go on.”
“What?” Tully breathes, watching Lacey with tears in her eyes as I squeeze Noah’s hand.
Lacey nods. “It was long ago. I was only ten years old at the time, and Lily was so young. She would have only been about five or around that age, I’m not too sure, but she was my rock. On those long days where I was in the hospital, I was usually alone and without anyone there to help me through it, I was quickly going down.”
Lacey takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out before continuing. “Sorry,” she says. “I’ve never really talked about this before.”
“It’s ok,” I say, seeing that both Noah and Tully aren’t really in a position to say anything, probably both being transported back to those days sitting in the hospital watching their baby sister getting worse and worse.
Lacey swallows and looks to Tully. “Her room was across the hall from mine and whenever you guys had gone home, she’d sneak out and come and join me. I never told her but those were the best parts of my days. Despite her condition, she was so lively and made me feel as though I had a friend, someone to talk to while things were so bad. I don’t…have a supportive family, not like yours, or at least, the one she told me of, and I remember thinking how damn lucky she was to have you guys. I’d have killed for a family like yours at the time.”
“Lily always had a smile, no matter how bad things were getting and I’ll never forget it. Her vibrancy and pure joy are what gave me the strength to keep fighting. I was done, I was letting the Leukemia win, but Lily forced me to keep trying and promised me that at the end it would all be so much better.”
Lacey chuckles to herself. “She used to tell me that I had to think of it like a rainstorm-”
Noah cuts her off. “You have to get through all the scary stuff, but once it’s over and all the water has soaked into the ground, you’ll be left with a garden full of blooming flowers,” he murmurs proudly. “I told her that.”
“She used to love that saying,” Tully laughs. “Every time I would complain about having a bad day she’d say ‘Life is like a storm, Tully.’ It drove me insane,” she looks up at her brother. "I wanted to wring your neck for teaching her that, but it’s what she needed at the time.”
Noah smiles fondly at his sister before turning to Lacey. “Would it be alright if I introduced you to my mom and dad? I know they’d really appreciate sitting down with you and hearing your stories of our sister.”
“Are you sure?” she questions cautiously. “I wouldn’t want to intrude. My cousin goes to your school and he always tells me to just leave you guys alone and let you move on. I guess, that’s why I’ve waited so long to say anything, but it was just eating me up inside. I had to share that.”
“Your cousin is an idiot,” Tully tells her, reaching across and taking her hand. “Thank you, though. I really needed to hear that.”
Chapter 10
As Tully and Noah chat with Lacey about their sister and she becomes an extended family member, I can’t help but feel as though I’m intruding. This feels too private and if Noah wants to talk to me about it later, I’ll be all ears for him, but right now, he should be sharing this moment with his sister.
I let go of Noah’s hand and stand before stepping into his side and pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll just be outside if you need me,” I tell him, making him nod before focusing back on Lacey.
I walk out of the room as a strange sense of jealousy comes over me that I can’t understand. Maybe it’s the thought that this stranger knew Lily and can share something with Noah and Tully that I’ll never be able to give. I never met the little girl and I so desperately wish I had. I feel as though I’ve missed out on something incredible and here this stranger is, showing up out of nowhere and can heal a part of their hearts which has been hurting for so damn long.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m so grateful that she’s come forward and shared her story with them, I just wish I was able to take that pain away for them.
I close the door behind me and start searching out my friends. Aiden and Spencer are hanging out with Jesse, Tyson, and Puck; all five of them looking pretty damn wasted already. I mean, someone should tell them to slow down. It’s not even eleven at night and if they keep going the way they’re going, none of them are going to make it home tonight.
I keep scanning the group and smile to myself as I find Kaylah standing with Brooke and Tora. I start making my way over there. I’ve missed Kaylah. I see her every now and then but it’s nothing like the friendship we used to have. I see now that what we shared for all those years was a friendship built on distrust and lies that neither of us was mature enough to see.
While I thought we were so close at the time, looking back now, I realize it wasn’t good at all. What kind of friends can’t be honest with the other and share what’s inside their heart without fear of being shut down?
Kaylah was a great friend for so long and was exactly what I needed at the time. We have so many incredible memories together, but being a little bit older and a little more mature, I can see now what I couldn’t before.
I’m so damn lucky to have found Tully. She’s the definition of what an incredible friend should be. She supported me when I showed interest in her brother, she pushes me to be my best self, and she never gets jealous if I was to achieve a goal she hasn’t. She’s the prime example of an incredible person and on top of that, she’s not afraid to tell me when I’m acting like a bitch.
No one has ever had my back the way that Tully has, and I absolutely love her for it. I swear, everybody should have a Tully in their life.
I start making my way through the other people from Broken Hill who Maxen must know from school when a large, gloved hand slams down over my mouth. I try to scream out but the hand muffles it.
An arm wraps around my body and I slam my elbow back into the guy’s stomach, but he’s standing too close for me to get much momentum for a good hit. He starts dragging me away and there are too many bodies, too many flashing lights and music for anyone to notice what the hell is going on.
I frantically search out Noah as I’m dragged back towards the exit of the VIP area. Once in the shadows, the guy grabs me and throws me over his shoulder so damn quickly that it’s impossible to get a read on his face.
I kick and slam my hands down on his back, doing my best to claw at his arms, anything I can think of to get free. I scream until my lungs give out, desperately wishing for just one person to notice what’s going on but they’re all too immersed in the race, the alcohol, and their friends to see that I’m in trouble.
The guy races down the stairs, somehow managing to do it quickly with me on his shoulder. His shoulder slams into my stomach as he drops down to the bottom step and hits the pavement which is when he really runs. He curls his arm over the back of my legs holding me down as he goes, stopping me from being able to pull myself free.
“Scream all you want,” the guy says in a strangely familiar tone
which is followed up by a chuckle. “Nobody is going to hear you out here.”
I ignore the way I can feel the vibrations of his words through his back and glance up to realize we’re right at the edge of Maxen’s property, far away from anyone. The music has completely drowned me out and anyone looking for me won’t be able to see me in the shadows.
It’s then I start to really understand what could happen here and fear grips me. “What do you want?” I demand. “Who are you?”
The guy just laughs which has chills spreading throughout my body. This is not good. So not good.
I start preparing myself to fight. He has to put me down at some point and there’s no way in hell I’m going to be raped, drugged, or kidnapped tonight. That’s simply not in the cards. I was having a good night until now and I’m not about to let this guy get the best of me.
All those times I’ve put bitches down at school and stood my ground has all been practice for this very moment.
I try not to think of the fact that the guy is nearly twice my size and clearly very fit and strong. All that means is that I’m going to have to put up a big fight. I can do it. I haven’t been drinking, my mind is focused, and I’ve got one hell of a great right hook.
I can do this.
I will not be a victim. No way in hell.
I relax my body as much as possible, preserving my energy as my kicking and screaming have already managed to use up a lot of what I’ve got, but I’m hoping the adrenaline will help me through it.
My captor takes me deep into the bushes and I look up behind him, trying to remember the path he took so I can get out of here, but it’s so damn dark that it’s going to be near impossible. I guess I’m lucky I’m in a tight pair of jeans and boots making it hard if he was to try to remove my clothes, not to mention, the boots should make running for my life a little easier.
He adjusts his hold on me and I feel that this is it. Something is about to happen.
I take a deep breath and try my hardest to adjust to the darkness around me. I can do this. I will not be afraid.
The guy grabs hold of the back of my jacket and in one easy swoop, he hauls me off his shoulder. I land on my feet a second later and I don’t waste a second. Hesitation is what has brought many people down in the past and I won’t be one of them.
I clench my fist and as quick as lightning, I swing around, my right hook already aiming for his face. I don’t bother to try to make out the features of his face, all I know is that I have to get out of here.
My fist slams right into his eye socket and as he cringes, I bring my knee up in a devastating blow to his balls, so bad that I’d assume the guy may never reproduce.
I know it’s a low blow going for the balls and it’s a cop-out when it comes to fighting your way out of trouble, but I’m fucking desperate and I’ll kick as many guys in the balls as it takes to get back to Noah. Back to safety.
The guy doubles over and I don’t hesitate. I run.
I get three steps away when large hands catch me, clenching down on my upper arms so hard that, no doubt, it will leave two nasty bruises. The hands bring me to a devastating stop before I’m thrown down on the ground beside the guy I’d just kicked in the balls.
“You little bitch,” the guy says, launching across the muddied ground to get to me. He grabs hold of my ankle and I try to kick him off, but he’s learned his lesson and there’s no way he’ll let me get the best of him a second time.
His face finally comes into view and I gape for a second.
Rocko.
What the actual fuck? At least I now know why his voice was familiar to me.
I wildly kick at him as I try to scramble back, desperate to get away from these two men. “Get off me, you prick,” I yell.
My ankle starts to ache when a booted foot slams down into Rocko’s ribs and a loud crack is heard all around. I suck in a terrified breath as my head whips around to the other guy. Maybe he’s the actual danger here.
“I told you she was not to be harmed,” the man says.
Rocko cowers beside me as he curls into a ball, holding his ribs in absolute agony to the point I even start feeling a little bad for the guy. But fuck him. He’s on his own here.
With Rocko’s grip no longer holding me down, I begin scrambling. Now’s my only chance. I get my hands underneath myself and hurry to push myself up when the other guy crouches down, finally giving me a look at his face.
I suck in a breath. This is worse than I thought.
Anton smirks at me and it’s as though he’s a cat watching a caged mouse desperately trying to get away. “Now, where do you think you’re going, young one?” he questions, shaking his head at me like I’m a child in need of a little discipline.
My eyes widen in fear, frantically searching around for a way out. All I need is a branch or something sharp and I should be able to fight my way out, but remembering the way he tossed Noah around the other day, my chances are slim.
“Don’t even think about it,” Anton says, reading my mind. “We need to…discuss a few things and if you try running now, I promise you, this chat will happen in the middle of your home where Daddy dearest and little Aria will be joining us.”
My heart races. This is much, much worse than I thought. “You leave my family alone,” I yell.
Anton cringes as though the high, screechy pitch of my voice is too much for him to bear. “Now, now, child. There’s no need to scream. I have no intentions of visiting your family and I’d honestly prefer not to, but that’s your decision. I’m simply letting you know your options if you choose not to comply.”
My teeth clench with the image of Anton Mathers making himself comfortable in my home, Aria sitting by his side, sharing the details of her life, unaware of the dangers right before her.
Something tells me Anton’s not lying. This is my only chance and realizing this is the only shot at keeping my family safe, I’d do whatever it takes. I push up until I’m sitting and awkwardly get to my feet, never once taking my eyes off Anton as he does the same. “What do you want?” I ask, turning myself front on and squaring my jaw to let him know he can’t intimidate me, though I have a feeling the fear in my eyes is as clear as day.
“Good choice” he murmurs, pushing up from his crouched position. “There are a few things. It seems that your name keeps popping up and to be honest, I’m quite sick of it. Something needs to be done as you’re getting too big for your boots.”
I narrow my eyes on him in confusion. “What are you talking about?” I demand. “I’ve had nothing to do with you until you tried to kill my boyfriend last week.”
“You see, that’s where you’re wrong,” he tells me, slightly amused. “So very wrong. You’ve been causing me hell for longer than you could possibly know.”
“I’m sure you can appreciate that I’m not in the mood to play your little mind games right now. Your goon just manhandled me and my knuckles are fucking aching, so just get on with it so we can all get out of here. What do you want?”
He considers me a moment. “What business do you have with Gina Rivers?”
“Gina?” I grunt. “What the hell does that matter? It’s none of your business.”
Anton steps forward. “On the contrary,” he says. “It certainly is, now answer the question. I do not like to be left waiting.”
“Well I don’t exactly like dickheads kidnapping me from my friends and delivering me to people like you, but you know what? Shit happens. Get the fuck over it.”
“Watch it, child. You’re testing my patience.”
I hold my ground, my lips pressing into a tight line and letting him know exactly what I think of this situation.
“Gina. Now,” he roars, somehow making the vibrations of his tone shake me right through to my core.
“She’s my mother,” I give in, making his brow arch in curiosity. “Why the hell is that important? And why does it have anything to do with you? How do you know her?”
“I’m the one asking
the questions here,” he snaps. “You’re not to see her again. Is that clear?”
I bark out a sharp laugh. “Excuse me?” I gape, unable to believe what I’m hearing. I mean, is this guy insane? This conversation is seriously not turning out the way I was expecting. “Who do you think you are? She’s my mother. I’ll go and see her whenever the fuck I want.”
“Not unless you value your life,” he tells me, deathly low. “Gina was my biggest rival and I promised her that I would take every last thing away from her and that includes you.”
“What did she ever do to you?”
Anton’s eyes darken and to be honest, it’s terrifying. I try to remember who the hell I’m talking to right now, but I’m struggling to hold my tongue especially after the shit he pulled with Noah last week.
“That’s none of your concern,” he tells me. “We have other pressing matters to discuss.”
“Yeah, like the fact that you attempted to shoot my boyfriend last week.”
“An unfortunate misunderstanding,” Anton says shrugging it off as though the idea of nearly killing a man doesn’t even faze him. “But while you’re here, you may as well pass on a message. Noah has served me well and considering our history…I’ve decided to release him from his duties.”
My mouth drops open. “Excuse me?” I question, unable to believe what I’m hearing. There has to be some sort of catch. Who goes from trying to shoot someone one week to releasing them the next?
“Unfortunately, he has discovered some hard truths which I believe are going to make dealing with him…quite unpleasant, and honestly, I can’t be bothered to deal with it. He’s free to go. He’s paid his debt.”
“His debt?” I scoff. “He never had a debt! You used him. He was an eleven year old kid who was suffering and you took advantage of him and molded him into this…this criminal that you can use to do your dirty work. What kind of monster are you?”
Undeniable: Haven Falls (Book 5) Page 10