Betrayed by Blood (Betrayed #1)

by Victoria Renteria

  “Mrs. Jennings, Gavin loves you very much, and it’s evident you love him. He’s the sweetest child and it must be hard to see him suffer . . . watching him go through such unspeakable things every day. With the right help, we can put a stop to this together. I’ll help you both. You. Are. Not. Alone. You do not have to do this by yourself. There is help out there for you.” Each word is said slowly and with enough emphasis so she understands what’s being offered.

  Dragging in a slow breath, she finally makes eye contact then shakes her head once before silently mouthing the words, “No, I can’t.” All hope I’d had of her choosing Gavin comes crashing down around me as my biggest fear becomes a reality. She chose to stay. Blood rushes to my cheeks, heating my face. Immediately I begin digging my nails into my palms to keep from reaching across the table to shake her. My brain cannot fathom what’s going through her mind this very moment or why she has chosen to stay. One thing is for certain, I am not backing down.

  “Mrs. Jennings, let me make myself clear. This is a very difficult situation and you may feel you have no choice in the matter, but let me assure you there is always a choice. It may not be a choice you like or a choice you want to make, and it most definitely will not be easy, but there is always a choice. So I want you to think long and hard on what you’re about to do. Once I walk out that door, I will contact the Department of Children and Family Services about Gavin, not to mention the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department about the bruises you’re trying so hard to hide.” My gaze focuses on her bruises. Mrs. Jennings blows out a breath, fighting to control her raging emotions.

  Clearing her throat, she lets out a rough sigh. “Ms. Parker, you do whatever you feel is right. As I stated before, everything is fine in my home.”

  Snorting, I stand then kick the chair out from behind me. Leaning on my hands, our faces are but a few inches apart as I say, “You may lie awake at night and tell yourself that crap, but you and I both know that’s all it is at the end of the day. The only one you’re hurting is Gavin, and he’s the one that’s going to pay for your mistakes. I just hope and pray that you realize it before it’s too late.” Pushing off the table, I straighten my blouse and skirt then grab my bag. When I reach the door, I turn one last time to face her.

  “Gavin has so much love in his heart for you. He’s full of so much kindness and would do anything to protect you, yet you subject him to continuous torture every day. What kind of mother does that? You’re supposed to protect him, with your life if necessary, not be the one to put him in harm’s way.” Sadness fills my eyes as I give my head a shake. “If you change your mind, you know how to contact me,” I say before turning to rush out of the room. Pausing just outside the door, I hunch over, gasping, desperately trying to suck in air. A fearsome wail cuts through my pants, making me cringe and wrap my arms around my center.

  Deep down, she’s hurting. She loves her son, but she is lost. My words were harsh but true and she needed to hear them. Tiny knots form in my stomach like lead weights. My heart tells me this situation is about to get much worse. For Gavin’s sake, I hope I’m wrong.

  “THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US the information, Ms. Parker. We’ll have someone look into the matter.” Nodding, I bite my lip to keep from grimacing. Unfortunately, the entire process really hadn’t turned out quite the way I was expecting. “Ms. Parker? Is everything okay?” the detective says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

  “Oh, yes, Detective McBride, I’m all right. It’s been a rather demanding day. I apologize. To be honest, this hasn’t exactly gone quite the way I was expecting.”

  Detective McBride smiles as he nods in understanding. “You probably thought you’d file a report and we’d just go arrest him. It’d be over and done with right away?”

  My thoughts turn to how naive I seem. “No, Detective, as much as I wish that could happen, I know it’s ultimately still going to be up to Mrs. Jennings to press charges. Honestly, at this point, I’m more concerned with Gavin’s safety than anything else.”

  Releasing a sigh, my hands automatically reach up to rub my temples. Dropping my hands back on my lap, my gaze returns to the detective.

  “Look, Ms. Parker, I understand exactly how you feel. I’d love nothing more than to get in my car, head over there right now, and arrest that asshole. Nevertheless, we have procedures that must be followed. That way, if and when we get him behind bars, we can keep him there. Look on the bright side. At least you don’t have to make a trip to DCF. We were fortunate enough they were in the building already so we could get both reports done at once.” The detective smiles again, trying to win me over with his charm. It should make me feel better, only the knot in my stomach continues to grow with each passing moment.

  My hands tremble as my mind wanders. That helpless feeling grows within me knowing that Gavin has no choice but to return to such a volatile environment. Clearing my throat of the thick emotion, I reply, “Thank you, sir. Your help is greatly appreciated. It truly means a lot.” Pausing, I take a deep breath then ask, “Would you be able to do something for me?” Gazing into his eyes, I have to bite the inside of my cheek to hold back the tears begging for release.

  “Absolutely,” he replies, his gaze never wavering from mine. The solemn look in his eye is almost my undoing. Inhaling deeply, my voice falters slightly as I say, “Will you please make sure he is safe? If something were to happen to him, I’m not sure I’d ever be able to forgive myself.”

  The detective’s eyes shine with admiration. Unfortunately, his admiration is misplaced. Gavin’s the brave one in this situation. When he finally speaks, his voice rings clear with authority and intent.

  “Ms. Parker, you can be sure that I will do everything in my power to make sure he’s safe.”

  All of the air releases from my lungs as my body relaxes into the chair. Knowing there’s nothing else that can be done, I simply reply, “Will that be all from me, Detective?”

  Removing a card from his pocket and sliding it across the table, he replies, “Yes, Ms. Parker, that’s everything for today. If anything changes or if you need anything at all, please give me a call. My cell is listed on the card.” Taking the card from the table, I slip it into my purse.

  “Thank you, Detective McBride. I really appreciate it.” Standing, I offer my hand for him to shake. Taking my offered hand, he squeezes gently and smiles.

  “No need to thank me. I’m only doing my job.”

  “It’s still appreciated. Enjoy your weekend,” I say before turning to exit the room.

  Walking out of the station, I fumble around my purse for my phone. Pulling it out, I notice the time and curse under my breath. Emma’s going to kill me. I’m already late. I should have been at her house a while ago. I send her a text letting her know we’ll meet at the club then unlock my Jeep. No more than two seconds after hitting send, my phone buzzes with an incoming call. When I turn on the ignition, the phone automatically pairs with the Bluetooth.

  “Hi, Em.”

  “Where the hell are you, Kai? You’re late!” Emma loudly exclaims into the phone.

  Chuckling, I answer, “Wow, sounds like I’m not the only one having a rough day. Why are you in such a grumpy mood, anyway?”

  “I’m not grumpy.” Emma exhales into the phone.

  “Besides, you were supposed to be here over an hour ago, Kai. What took you so long?” She releases a dramatic sigh, causing me to bite my lip to refrain from laughing.

  “Well, my conversation didn’t go as I’d hoped. Unfortunately, I had to make a pit stop at the police station to file a report. Thankfully, DCF was there so I killed two birds with one stone.”

  “Oh my God, Kai! Are you okay? Did she attack you? What happened? I told you this was a bad idea from the beginning!” Emma rambles, barely able to breathe from tossing out her barrage of questions.

  “Emma, calm down. I’ll explain everything. I’m on my way to my apartment to get changed. I’m going to catch a cab to the club and we’ll talk later.”
Blowing out a breath, all of the pent up frustration leaves me in one fell swoop.

  “Kai, I’ve got clothes here you can wear, just come to my house. It’s late and you’ve had an eventful day. Besides, we both really need to blow off some steam.”

  Clenching my teeth, I reply, “Seriously, Em, I’m around the corner from my apartment. I’m just going to change there. I’ll meet you at the club in about thirty minutes.” A deep sigh comes across the line before she finally answers.

  “Fine, you win. I’ll see you there. Love you, Kai.”

  “Love you, too, Em.”

  Disconnecting the call, I try focusing my thoughts on the drive instead of the lingering dread. For some reason, I have this unshakable feeling that any hopes I may have had of Gavin being safe and cared for are now a thing of the past.

  Thankfully, the drive to my apartment from the station is short and uneventful. Unlocking the door to my apartment, I pass through the entryway and immediately slip off my shoes. A silent groan passes my lips as I make my way into the living room. Dropping my purse on the coffee table, I notice the flashing red light on my phone, indicating I have a message. “Who on earth left a message?” Mumbling under my breath, I grab the phone and plop down on the couch.

  I dial my voicemail and enter my passcode then I wait for the message to play. “Ms. Parker, this is Cho Sang-hyun with CTEE, better known as Continuous Teaching and Educational Excellence. We received your application several years ago to teach English in South Korea. Unfortunately, at the time, we did not have any open positions. We do, however, have one that recently became available. Since you have completed all of the requirements, we would like to extend the offer to you now. If you could give me a call back at your earliest convenience that would be greatly appreciated.”

  The message ends and I toss the phone onto the table. Resting my head on the back of the couch, I ponder the possibility of accepting the offer. Is now even a good time? Can I afford to go? I mean, I speak both English and Korean, so that’s not a problem.

  Questions continue to run through my mind as I get ready to meet Emma. If I turn down this opportunity, will one like it ever arise again? Several years ago this was what I wanted, but is it now? Can I really leave Emma? What about my dad? Then there is the entire situation with Gavin. Bile rises in my throat just thinking about leaving him in the midst of all this turmoil. Picking up my phone, I place a quick call to the cab company for a pick up in ten minutes.

  Pacing the length of my living room, my internal debate continues. My phone buzzes on the table, interrupting my thoughts. Checking my messages, I realize the cab is waiting. Locking my apartment and making my way to the cab, I solidify my decision. There’s no way I can leave. My work here is too important. A nagging feeling begins in the back of my mind, a little voice telling me that if I stay, I will end up shattered.

  BRIGHT LIGHTS SHINE, ACCENTUATING CLUB Rae as the cab slows to a stop next to the curb. Bodies are piled one in front of the other in a single-file line, waiting for admittance. Club Rae is the hottest club in town, known for its bumping music and scorching party scene. Emma and I frequent the club quite often, even though it’s not something I like to do. However, my best friend is not easily dissuaded.

  Pulling out a twenty, I hand it to the cab driver and thank him for the ride. Gingerly, so as not to break my neck, I step out of the cab then smooth the wrinkles out of my dress. Heading toward the door, I notice the bouncer watching me approach. Taking his time, he lets his eyes wander down my body from my head to my toes. His heated gaze lingers longer than necessary on my breasts before rising to meet my eyes. A blush creeps over my cheeks and apparently doesn’t go unnoticed by the smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

  “Ms. Parker,” he greets with his smug smile still firmly in place.

  “Hello, Franco,” I reply, smiling politely.

  “Ms. Hall is waiting for you in the VIP Lounge.” He lifts the rope and motions for me to enter.

  “In the VIP Lounge?” I ask, confused.

  Emma is friends with the owner, but I wasn’t expecting the VIP Lounge. Although, this is Emma I’m talking about.

  “Yes, she’s already upstairs waiting.” Nodding, he motions to the entrance.

  “Thank you, Franco.”

  Walking through the small entryway and bypassing the bar, I make my way to the stairs leading to the VIP Lounge. Another bouncer greets me upon my approach.

  “Hello, Ms. Parker.” He smiles, lifting the rope.

  “Hello, Armando.”

  Climbing the stairs in haste, my breaths become labored. Taking a moment to slow my breathing, I let my eyes scan the area. The VIP Lounge has a spacious open floor plan with a small bar located against the back wall. Scattered throughout the lounge are white leather couches, kissed with red throw pillows, giving the entire room a cold and wicked, yet incredibly inviting feeling.

  Lounging in the center of one of the couches is Emma who is smiling and chatting away with some random guy, not a care in the world. Setting her drink on the table, she leans in to whisper something in his ear. Not wanting to interrupt her moment, I peruse the lounge a moment longer. Intrigued by the leather, my eyes linger on the back of the couch and the deep grooves that resemble the hourglass curves of a voluptuous woman. With wide, rolling arms like angel wings, they appear more devilish than anything I’ve ever seen.

  My heart begins to race in my chest as I take in my surroundings. The feeling of being watched is so strong, I have to tamp down the urge to flee the building and get into the first cab I can find. Adjusting slightly, I put Emma back into my sights and find she’s still deep in conversation. My eyes begin searching the lounge in sweeping motions, looking for the source of my panic. Nothing is here. Slamming my hand on the railing, I turn and face the dance floor.

  A sea of writhing bodies stretch across the floor, grinding to the pulsing beat. Suddenly, a tingling begins at the base of my spine, setting me on edge. Frantically, I begin inspecting the room, searching for its origin. I can feel the intense heat from someone’s eyes boring into me from somewhere within the club. As if destiny herself made it happen, my eyes land on the person in question. Standing in the corner, hidden in the shadows, he waits, watching. Clouded by darkness, the intensity of his stare is so unsettling that bile begins to rise in my throat. Pushing off the banister, I turn to run toward the exit as fast as I can. Emma, noticing me by the railing, motions for me to join her on the couch.

  Plastering a smile on my face, I make my way to where Emma and her new friend are sitting. As I approach, her friend stands, offering his hand to introduce himself. At that moment, the smile that spreads across Emma’s face is so incredible it takes my breath away. He has clearly caught her eye, and she’s already smitten.

  Clearing her throat, she introduces us. “Kai, this is Brighton. Brighton, this is my best friend, Kai.”

  Extending my hand, I say, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brighton.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” he replies before placing a kiss on my hand.

  The words roll smoothly off his tongue in his thick English accent. It’s no wonder Emma’s smitten. The man screams sex. Taking my hand back, I sit on the sofa as Brighton asks, “Would you like a drink?”

  “Yes, please. A drink would be fantastic.”

  “What’s your guilty pleasure?”

  “Aberfeldy neat. Make it a double, please. If they don’t have it, any scotch will do.”

  Brighton lets out a low whistle. “Damn, either you had a rough day or you just like to drink the hard stuff.”

  Chuckling, I respond, “A bit of both, actually.” A look of concern immediately crosses Emma’s face as something unrecognizable passes across Brighton’s. Kissing Emma’s hand and taking a stand, he says, “One scotch coming up. Another refill for you as well, gorgeous?”

  “Yes, please.” Pink suffuses her cheeks.

  The moment he’s out of earshot, Emma points her index finger at me and says
through clenched teeth, “All right, Kai, what the hell happened? You were late getting here. I can tell you were spooked by something when you walked over, so what gives?” She levels me with her fierce gaze. Letting out a heavy sigh, I pinch the bridge of my nose as I weigh my options. Emma usually isn’t one to let something go. However, this isn’t the time to talk with her new friend hanging about.

  Releasing my nose, I reply, “Em, I love you but we’ll talk later.”

  Emma presses her lips into a thin flat line as her brow furrows. She opens her mouth to speak but I hold up my hand, cutting her off. “Emma, I promise to tell you. I’m just asking for time. Can we talk later? Please?”

  Inhaling deeply, she closes her eyes for a moment before saying, “Of course, Kai. We’ll talk about it later.” Blowing out a breath, my body relaxes into the cushions.

  “What do you think of Brighton?” Emma asks, catching me off guard. Following the direction of her line of sight, I see her studying the tall man talking at the bar.

  “Um, he seems nice, I guess.”

  “Oh, come on, Kai. He’s hot as hell.” Emma giggles.

  “Go for it. He seems into you.”

  “Seriously, Kai, we need to find you a man. You need to get laid, girl. How long has it been now?”

  Just as I was about to answer that it was none of her business, that smooth, deep rumbling English voice interrupts. “Who needs to get laid?” Brighton smirks as he sets our drinks down in front of us.

  Speaking up, she quips, “Kai does.”

  Blood rushes to my face, heating my cheeks in my embarrassment. Groaning, I respond, “Ugh, my sex life is just fine, thank you.” Grabbing the scotch, I toss the double back in one shot.

  “Whoa, Kai, take it easy. That stuff will go to your head quick, trust me,” Brighton says with a grin.

  “I’m fine. Thank you for your concern,” I snap, looking for the waitress to order another.

  Emma narrows her eyes at me before changing the subject. “What do you say we all go hit the dance floor?”