The Choice
Page 40
Suddenly, panic replaced the dipshit’s bravado. Frantically, he groped for the knob with a flailing hand.
“Touching her was your last mistake,” Beck vowed before he nudged Seth aside and slammed his shoulder into Sanchez’s kidney. The man’s grunt morphed into a long, tortured moan. Beck didn’t feel sorry for the asshole at all. Hopefully, he would be pissing blood for a week.
The next time he and Seth landed blows, the combined force splintered the door. It gave way, tumbling the cocksucker back into his apartment. The man cursed, arms flailing as he futilely tried to defend himself, legs scrambling as he struggled in vain to stand.
Seth straddled the asshole and pinned him to the cracked tile before unloading what looked like months of pent-up rage, each fist landing in a perfectly timed arc of power and bone-crushing force on his face.
Feeding off Seth’s malice, Beck used the shitsack’s rib cage like a soccer ball, not giving two shits about the muscles he pulverized or the bones he shattered. Oh, revenge felt sweet. And violence was even better when the fucker’s high-pitched screams cut through the night.
As Seth continued pummeling the prick, blood exploded from the bastard’s nose and mouth. Teeth sailed across the floor. More facial bones cracked under each brutal punch. It made what he’d done to Pike weeks ago look like a friendly pat on the back.
Moving in between the man’s thrashing legs, Beck stomped his foot on the prick’s crotch with a snarl, mashing his junk under his heel. Yep, he was ignoring the hell out of his Hippocratic oath and basking in the fucker’s howls of pain. Then he enjoyed some gurgling pleas after slamming the landlord’s kneecap beneath his loafers.
When the pig fell limp and unconscious, Beck sucked in a ragged inhalation, braced against the wall, panting to recover his breath.
Seth hadn’t let up.
“Stop,” Beck growled, gripping the PI’s taut shoulder. “Unless you know where to hide a body and how to clean a murder scene, you need to let him go.”
Seth whirled, sending him a glare filled with inhuman rage. “Why the fuck do you care? If I kill him, I’m out of your hair permanently.”
“Because Heavenly cares.” Acknowledging that sucked, but tonight had been too full of reality to ignore this one.
They coveted the same girl, and neither one of them were giving up. Unless he was really fucking wrong, on some level she loved them both, too.
“Son of a bitch,” Seth muttered as he finally opened one fist and flexed his hand.
“Come on. Let’s find Heavenly. The way that sack of shit was screaming, it’s only a matter of time before the cops show up. We need to be gone.”
Seth blinked and gave a jerky nod. He stood slowly and stared down at the bloodied landlord as he dragged up a wad of phlegm and spit in his face.
Beck made a mental note not to piss Seth off—ever. Thank god the guy hadn’t agreed to fight that night he’d wanted to brawl at Shadows. He’d probably still be recovering in the ICU.
Both covered in blood, they hauled ass across the courtyard. Beck had to ask, “Where’d you learn to throw fists like that?”
“After I left the force, I ran with people no one should.” He shrugged. “And I learned.”
Beck wasn’t sure what that meant or why it sounded so ominous. He dismissed it when they reached Heavenly’s door. “I don’t know if I want to wrap her in my arms or take her over my knee.”
“Both are in order. But you’re right. We have to get out of here now. What happens to Abel?”
“That man needs dedicated care. The VA had no business releasing him tonight. But I don’t have admitting privileges there, so objecting wouldn’t have done shit.” Beck sighed. “After we get out of here, I’ll make some calls and arrange a bed for him tonight. I have friends in neurology I’ll call tomorrow. They can help us piece together a longer-term care plan.”
“Great. And Heavenly?”
“I keep a condo near the hospital for the nights I’m on call. She can stay there.”
“I’ll help settle her in.”
Beck arched a brow, then shrugged. Better if they didn’t argue now. “Fine. Then tomorrow…”
“Tomorrow, we start making a few things clear to that stubborn woman.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” Beck shook his head as he smirked Seth’s way. “Look at us, getting along and shit.”
“Will miracles never cease?” Seth countered with a crooked grin. “Now let’s see how our girl is doing.”
Nerves buzzed like an angry beehive in Heavenly’s belly as she forced back a sniffle and grabbed the last of the clothes from the plastic chest. She shoved them into the mustard-colored suitcase her father had helped her pack when they’d left Wisconsin seven short months ago, seeking fresh hope out West.
That hope had already been snuffed out. She wasn’t sure where to go next.
The doctors here hadn’t cured her father. The cost of living had finally eaten away the last of their savings. And since she’d lacked the courage to pay her rent in the currency Mr. Sanchez demanded, he was going to evict them. What could she possibly tell her father? How was she going to take care of him now?
After everything she’d done to try to build a future for them, she’d failed.
A wave of defeat threatened her with a new splash of scalding tears. Heavenly sucked them back. There was no time for sorrow or self-pity, only for packing up, getting out, and trying to decide where she and Dad could go for the night. She’d heard homeless shelters were dangerous…but where else could she go?
Thankfully, her father slept, oblivious to the fact that in the ten minutes since she’d run across the courtyard like a coward, she’d managed to pack up most everything they owned. She shoved aside the memories of Mr. Sanchez’s mouth crawling up her neck as he yanked her shirt over her head, of his fingers violating her skin, of the vile things he’d whispered that he’d do to her before he let her leave his bed…
A shudder wracked her. She heaved, wishing she had time to shower. But she had to focus, be practical, stay strong.
Ten seconds, she promised herself. She would give herself ten precious ticks to cry, then she’d figure out how to carry on.
Her childhood flashed through her head. It had been so easy then. She’d had clothes and toys. She’d never worried where her next meal would come from or where she’d sleep at night. Mom had worked as a cashier at the grocery store. Dad had tended the farm. Summers had been sunny and idyllic, winters full of snowy adventure. Life had been carefree.
Today, most everything she owned fit in a single suitcase. She hadn’t eaten in more than twelve hours, and her stomach felt glued to her spine. She had no idea where she’d lay her head tonight.
What the hell was happening to her life?
Worse, what would happen tomorrow? No, later today. She’d still have no place to live, and her boss expected her at Bazookas or she’d lose the only job she had. Where would her father spend the hours while she waited tables? He couldn’t stay on the streets.
Even though her ten seconds were over, Heavenly fell to her knees, buried her face in her hands, and sobbed. Because as terrible as all those problems were, it hurt so much more knowing that Beck and Seth now knew every single one of her woes.
How long would it take them to make their excuses and bow out of her life?
Not long, she was sure. That’s how people were; she didn’t blame them.
Behind her, the door opened. Heavenly scrambled to her feet and swiped at her tears, not completely sure who she’d find standing in the portal. She breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn’t Sanchez.
Then she realized Seth’s shirt was soaked in blood. The legs of Beck’s pants and the toes of his shoes hadn’t fared much better. Had they beaten Sanchez up? She let loose a shaky breath. Was he still conscious? Alive?
Do you care?
Even if that made her a horrible human being, no.
Beck took in her suitcase in a glance. “Good. You’ve packed. Ti
me to go.”
She nodded and stacked her lone box by the door, taking care with her mother’s old sewing machine. “I-I know. I’ll have my dad’s things and all our papers packed up in a few minutes.”
“You take care of your father’s belongings. I’ll get the papers,” Seth insisted.
Heavenly froze, then horror set in when she thought of the past due bills for the phones, Dad’s hospital bed, and her fall tuition sitting in the drawers. Beck and Seth had already glimpsed the worst of her problems, but the thought of them knowing about all those burdens too made her chest clench tight.
“I’ll get them.” She rushed across the room, swiping away at the hot teardrops still making their way down her face. “I need to grab my laptop for school.”
Seth stepped in her path. “We don’t have time to argue. Get your father’s shit together. I’ll get your computer and take care of the desk. Beck will get Abel up and out the door. We’ve got to go.”
In case Sanchez came for his money.
With shaking hands, she plucked up Dad’s clean pajamas and his one pair of slacks for doctor’s visits, doing her best to fold them into the lovely wicker picnic basket Seth had given her. “You’re right. I hate to ask, but would it be too much trouble for you to drop us off at the homeless shelter?”
Beck spun around on his heel and flashed her an incredulous stare. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
She shrank back. “I’m sorry. I’ll call a cab.”
Seth sent her an equally stupefied glare. “You’re fucking serious?”
“Yes!” Why were they making this so hard on her? “I can’t pay the rent anymore. I know you understand what happened here tonight. I already feel horrible enough that I’ve put my comfort over my father’s well-being.” Tears rushed to her eyes like acid again as she threw the rest of his clothes, his meds, and his lone pair of shoes in the basket. “Why are you trying to make me feel worse?”
“How much money do you have right now, little girl?” Beck snarled.
“Not enough, obviously.” She stomped to the kitchen and grabbed the food out of the pantry. She refused to leave behind the coffee cup and wine Seth had given her. They were some of the few happy reminders she had left. Sniffling, she returned to the main room. “Do you want it in exchange for taking us somewhere safe?”
“How. Much?”
Heavenly reared back. With her, Beck had always been kind, affable, patient, wry, intellectual, and sexy enough to make her shiver. She’d never heard the hard edge in his voice. She’d never seen his temper. If he wanted to humiliate her, he wouldn’t be the first person to try, but no way would she cower before him—or anyone.
She settled all the kitchen stuff in the basket, then lifted her chin. “Fifty-four dollars.”
“Total? To your name?” Seth looked somewhere between horrified and heartbroken. “Damn it, angel…”
“I don’t want your pity. And I’m not asking you for anything.”
“Oh, you don’t have to ask. Let me tell you exactly how this is going to unfold, little girl. We’re loading up your things and taking your dad to the hospital tonight so our neurological team can do a full evaluation in the morning. After we leave there, Seth and I are taking you to my condo. I’m going to fix you a massive fucking plate of food and watch you eat every bite. Then we’re going to tuck you into the huge, clean bed alone. And you’re going to sleep until the dark circles and worry disappear. Tomorrow, you’ll visit your father, shop for a whole new wardrobe with Raine, then explain how the fuck you got into this mess.” Beck leaned close, nostrils flaring. “All of that is nonnegotiable, and you will do it without a word of disobedience. Is that clear?”
“No.” When Beck’s eyes narrowed, she shook her head. “I-I can’t. I can’t ask for that much. I can’t pay you. I can’t miss work. You’re trying to help, and I appreciate it. But—”
“Don’t you dare say they aren’t my problems and that you’re not my responsibility.”
“Why not?” She tossed her hands in the air. “It’s true.”
“Bullshit,” Seth tossed in, grabbing papers from the drawers of the old desk in the corner. “We just made you our responsibility. And we don’t have time to argue. We’ve got a handful of minutes to get this shit in the car and leave before the police start asking questions.”
Heavenly almost dropped everything. “The police?”
Seth grabbed the basket and slid her laptop and their papers inside. “Angel, do you think all this blood on our clothes came from a simple busted nose?”
Her eyes widened. “He’s…really injured?”
“We beat the shit out of him, so we don’t exactly have time to chat. If you’re done packing, get in the car.”
“Heavenly?” Abel woke, sounding disoriented. “Boo?”
“I’m right here, Dad.” She speared both the men with frantic glances, then tuned them out and focused on her father. “We need to get you up and—”
“We’re going to take you to a better hospital, Abel.” Beck helped the man to his feet and grabbed his nearby walker, completely ignoring her blinking stare.
“I need to go back?”
“Not to the VA. We’ll take you where Heavenly and I work.”
The frail man frowned, bewildered. “Where is Heavenly going, then? I don’t like the thought of her staying here by herself. Not the best neighborhood.”
“We don’t like that, either.” Seth nodded. “So…”
Heavenly pleaded silently with him not to worry her dad. He’d been through enough and didn’t need to fret about her virtue, too.
“So Beck knows of an empty condo near the hospital in a very secure building. The owners aren’t using it right now, and Heavenly can stay there as long as she wants.”
“Absolutely,” Beck promised, helping the older man slide into his slippers.
“Well, that sounds wonderful. Hear that, boo?”
“Yeah, Dad. It should be great. You and Beck head for the car. Seth and I are right behind you with our stuff.”
“In fact, why don’t I help you, Abel?” Beck didn’t wait for his reply, just lifted her father and carried him in one arm, dragging his walker behind.
Her dad gave a grunt of surprise but nodded. He must still be half asleep. His nighttime meds were meant to help him nod off, so they often left him groggy.
As soon as they were out the door, Seth lifted her box with a scowl and tucked it under one arm. “What the hell is in here?”
As he grabbed her suitcase with his free hand, Heavenly took hold of the picnic basket that included her father’s clothes, the food, her computer, and their papers. “My mother’s sewing machine. Sorry it’s heavy.”
“It’s fine. Is that everything? Take a quick look around. You’re not coming back.”
Heavenly scanned the room, scooping up her pillow and blanket, along with the princess mouse ears Beck had bought her at Disneyland. She clutched those to her chest. “What about the hospital bed?”
“We’ll call the rental company to pick it up tomorrow. Let’s go.” Seth shooed her to the door.
She walked out for the last time, and she couldn’t say she was sorry to see this place go. Nothing good had happened inside these four walls.
Seth gave her a nudge and slammed the door closed as she heard the first wail of sirens a few blocks over. “Go!”
“I don’t have my key to lock the door.”
“This place is Sanchez’s problem now. We’ve got to move!”
Or he and Beck could get arrested. Right. Everything was happening so fast, and the shock of tonight, coupled with the exhaustion now tugging at her after all those pointless tears, was making it hard to think straight. It probably didn’t matter if she didn’t lock the door. After they’d beaten the crap out of Sanchez, the man wasn’t going to return her five-hundred-dollar deposit.
They made a mad dash to Seth’s SUV. Beck was waiting by the back with her dad. He grabbed everything from her hands, stare lingeri
ng on the embroidered ears. “Backseat. Now.”
She didn’t hesitate. The last thing she wanted was for either man to suffer consequences for trying to help her. And maybe she shouldn’t be surprised they’d stayed and dragged her from that miserable apartment. Beck had been feeding her for months. Together, they’d slayed the Kathryn dragon for her. They’d said they both wanted a future with her. Hell, Seth had uprooted his entire life for her.
Was it possible they’d still want her now that they had seen the mess she’d made of her life? It seemed incredible they would when her own mother hadn’t.
As she rushed Dad into the backseat and followed, she mentally gnawed on the fact that, despite the worst possible circumstances, sometimes people stayed. After all, she hadn’t once considered leaving her father. And she saw people at the hospital every day who stuck by their loved ones, no matter what. So what made the difference? The character of the person? The strength of their love?
Heavenly didn’t know.
“Give me the keys.” Beck held out his hand to Seth.
“I can drive.” Seth fished them from his pocket.
“I know where I’m going.”
With a sigh, Seth tossed Beck the ring.
Seconds later, the capable doctor turned the engine over and shot down the street, lights dark. He was already at the stop sign at the end of the street and sliding into sparse traffic on Figueroa, heading for the freeway, when Heavenly caught sight of flashing red-and-blue lights in the rearview mirror. She turned to look out the back window. Sure enough, the police were stopping in front of her old building.
They really had gotten out just in time.
A knot of tension loosened in her belly.
The drive to the hospital passed in a blur. Beck made calls as he drove. A crew was waiting by the ambulance door. They wheeled her half-sleeping father to the neurological unit. Thankfully, the seasoned personnel barely gave Beck and Seth’s bloody clothes a second glance. Once the staff wheeled him to a private room, Heavenly squeezed her dad’s hand.
An unfamiliar nurse nodded their way. “Dr. Litchfield has already ordered the admitting paperwork. He’ll start the tests in the morning.”