"Because she called me." I saw the resignation in his eyes before he passed her off to me.
I left him to deal with the medics as I bundled her into the passenger seat before jumping into the driver’s side and flooring it. I was on autopilot as I made it to the corner and saw Brian's hummer coming from the opposite direction. He made an illegal U and swerved in behind me. I could make out Derrick's blonde head in the passenger side with Tiffany in the back her pixie head between them. Mom and dad were right behind them in mom's Audi coupe.
I didn't look at her, I couldn't I would lose my shit if I did. Hitting the speaker on my dash I called my parent's car.
"I'm here son."
"Dad it's bad, I don't want to take her to the hospital, do you have what we need at the house?"
"If we don't we'll get it son, just drive carefully now, we don't need you getting into an accident."
I hung up and gave a quick glance to my passenger. Fuck butterfly, what did you do to yourself? I wiped my face noticing the tears for the first time. She had been cold as ice when I took her from her father her breathing was erratic like she was fighting for every breath. I didn't care anymore, who did what or why. When he fucked with her she was mine, my responsibility, my woman. Living in my house, sleeping in my bed. Guilty or not she was under my care; because of him she was this broken shell laying half dead in my car.
I'm gonna make that motherfucker bleed.
"You fucked up Poole, I swear on everything I have you're done. I WILL END YOU.”
Chapter 17
I sped through the gates and down the driveway slamming on the brakes like a man possessed. All that mattered right now was getting her the help she needed as soon as I knew she was okay I could give my anger free reign.
My family was one step behind us as I ran up the steps with my bundle in my arms. She felt so fucking light. Suzette was a small girl to begin with she couldn't afford to lose the weight she had.
My dad tried taking her from me but I wasn't having that shit, I followed him to the makeshift emergency room he kept on the first floor cradling her against my chest. I saw Connie out of the corner of my eye with little Jonathan obviously she had stayed behind when the others had followed after me.
There was a madhouse of activity as mom helped dad set up the room, I laid her down on the bed and gently removed the blanket from around her, the sight of my favorite black hoodie swallowing her slight frame damn near broke me. I had to close my eyes against the sight.
"Okay son let me look at her now, you want to step outside or you want to stay in here? If you are going to stay you're going to have to stay out of the way." I didn't say anything, just walked over to the window and stared outside, as they got busy behind me tending to her.
It was more than an hour later when dad was finally satisfied that he'd done all he could.
"It looks like a case of dehydration, exhaustion, and not enough to eat, nothing too major. I started an IV that's about all we can do until she wakes up, but I think she should recover no problem physically speaking, mentally, now that might be another story."
I heard the door close behind him as I stood still before the window, her father and brothers had arrived not too long after we had but I didn't go see about them, my brothers or sisters would see to them. I wasn't feeling very sociable; I flexed my fingers to relieve the pressure of having them clenched so tight for so long.
There was a new type of anger brewing inside of me, anger at this fucked up situation, anger at that fuck Terry Poole, anger at her for putting us in this place that we were in and now anger at myself.
I should've known something like this would happen, I knew her weaknesses and I'd made things worse for her by shutting her out cold. But what the fuck was I supposed to do? I'm the injured party here there were no fucking winners here, except that fuck who was free to walk the streets of LA without a fucking care in the world while the victims of his fuckery suffered.
With one last look at her I stormed out of the room with one purpose in mind payback, it was payback time and I was going hardcore all the fucking way. I met Brian coming out of the study where I could hear dad talking to the Sorensons.
"Get James on the phone, I want to know everything he knows so far, it's time for action."
Brian clapped me on the shoulder and went to do what I asked, my family knew not to fuck with me when I got like this. I was a fucking beast when riled, and I was past motherfucking riled. I was Al Pacino circa 1970 the fucking Godfather pissed, I didn't have five families to eliminate just one fucking cockroach. If that weasel fuck knew what was coming his way he would run and hide, I was about to go Michael Corleone on his motherfucking ass. Fuck with me at your own peril.
"James is on the line bro."
"Let's do this."
Chapter 18
James's face was up on the big screen when I entered the conference room. Tiffany and Connie had brought in coffee and snacks but I wasn't interested. I thought fleetingly of inviting her father and the twins to sit in but didn't want to take the time to get them, besides they all seemed to hold me responsible for this shit so I was going to do it my way. Another reason for my hesitance was I had no idea what the fuck James was going to say. I don't think I could handle being in a room full of people if he told me this shit had been going on behind my back for a while as some were speculating. I had no fucking clue what I was about to hear but I knew it would be nothing good. Regardless of how or why Suzette was in that fucking car the fact that she was sick now in no way negated that fact.
The fact that I planned to destroy that fuck Poole did not mean she was forgiven, it just means I choose to channel my anger in a different direction for now. According to what I found out here today I would deal with her later. If there was any redemption for her I would be lenient, if the other proved true she was fucked, I loved her yes, but I was no ones' fool. Either way she was going to pay for squandering my love on that California side street.
"Morning Gage."
"James." I took a seat at the head of the conference table as the others grabbed chairs on either side of me.
"I would've preferred to do this in person but I understand we have a pressing situation on our hands. I think this thing is bigger than we first thought, there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye."
The fuck?
"What the fuck does that mean?"
"It means that there's more at work her than your Suzette having a fling."
"Spit it the fuck out man what the fuck are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying from what we've uncovered so far this is looking like an elaborate set up. What the purpose behind it is is still not clear, but one thing is for certain. She was targeted."
GET THE FUCK OUT. Heads are gonna roll.
"Come home James we need a sit down."
Chapter 19
I left the room without a word to anyone, it was time to think, that hadn't gone at all as I'd expected. I bypassed the study where my parents were still talking to the Sorensons; they would all need to be updated but not now. First I had to make sure she was safe.
I closed and locked the door behind me walking over to the bed my gaze never left her face. There were dark circles under her eye, her coloring was almost as white as the sheets and I could see the bones in her arms.
Targeted, that word conjured up something vile in me, something deadly forceful. The lion would protect the lamb. My first order of business would be to get her better then I could focus all my energy on my enemy.
Fuck if my mind wasn't in turmoil, I pulled my hair so tight as I sat in a chair next to her bed it was a wonder I didn't tear that shit at the roots. The soft sound of her weeping brought my head up quickly as I rose from the chair.
No she wasn't awake she was crying in her fucking sleep again, the thought of her spending all our nights apart like this brought me to my knees, literally. Taking her hand in mine I tried to give her some of my warmth. Why the fuck hadn't she woken u
p yet?
"Come on Suzette, open your eyes." I tried to will that shit. Fuck I had to remember not to call her that she hated when I did, but I'd gotten used to referring to her that way in my head lately. The anger was still there somewhat but it was a lot more complicated than it had been a day ago.
Put it aside Maddox, one thing at a time. I could do this, I could put my anger at her away for the time being, that didn't make me a chump, it just made me human, something I hadn't felt like in a long time.
I ran my hand through her hair, her beautiful brown hair that was now lifeless and dull, I would have to ask mom or the girls about seeing to that. Maybe not Connie that bitch was a wild card fuck knows where her head was at.
I was growing impatient waiting for her to wake up, I know, I know have a heart Maddox, but fuck if I didn't have shit to do and a fuck load of questions. James wouldn't be here until sometime later this evening in the meantime it would be good to hear her side of what the fuck went on.
I pulled up the web on my cell, for the first time since leaving the cabin I Googled my life. There wasn't much new except our supposed fight over Rex, speaking of which I should probably get him in here that might help. Apparently the douches' wife had forgiven him, well la de fucking da, wonder what she knew?
I'd been fooling myself into thinking I was calmer, I wasn't calm one fuck, the mere sight of that fucker had me ready to chew nails. I think I needed to brush up on my Sun TZU because I'm pretty sure in the art of war you needed a clear head and yes, this was motherfucking war.
I just needed to know all the players as soon as James and his cryptic ass got here I could start strategizing my attack. I had no doubt that I would destroy him if it took every penny I owned I would do it; hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? Well hell didn't even want a motherfucker like me.
I texted Brian to bring the dog which he did, my boy went right to his mama, I had to help him up on the bed to lie next to her. After he realized she wasn't awake to play, he placed his head on his front paws and stared at her much like I was doing. We were both willing her to wake up.
I felt the stirrings of hunger but I refused to leave, at some point, maybe noon mom brought me something, which I left sitting there. Steve and the twins had come by but nothing was said between us, that day would come I'm sure but it wasn't today.
I guess the others had filled them in along with mom and dad because mom when she came in before had this pinched look on her face that she gets when she's royally pissed. Suzette was hers too just like the five of us she had claimed her as well.
She was one of us and someone had fucked with her, if James was right it was deliberate. The whys were supercilious, the die was already cast everyone who had anything to do with this fuckery was going down. I might not be able to kill them with my bare hands, though Poole was getting an ass kicking no matter what, but I would definitely hit the motherfuckers where it hurts. Pond sucking scum motherfuckers.
Chapter 20
I was underwater, why am I under water again? I can't remember, I just somehow knew this was better than the other. Somehow I was breathing quite naturally, there was no angst, no fear, it was safe here, safer than out there. Out there where? Panic, no come back, stay under the water, out there was darkness, out there was pain and fear. The water keeps me safe and hidden. My heart is whole again, there's no more tearing, no more bottomless ache. I snuggled deeper into the abyss at peace at last.
Wait was that a dog? Dogs shouldn't be under water it wasn't safe.
"REX..."
She woke up screaming for the fucking dog at least she woke the fuck up. It seemed like forever since I'd been sitting here.
I gave my boy a good rub down and a doggie treat; he'd done his job. I might look into buying him his own fucking pet store; now for my girl.
She opened those big brown orbs of hers, but instead of their usual beautiful light they were bloodshot and sad. She was looking around kind of lost which was to be expected since she didn't know where the fuck she was.
I eased up out of my chair and went to her, I wasn't sure how she was going to react to seeing me but I was just thankful as fuck that she was awake; she had me worried there for a minute.
"Gage?"
"I'm right here." I walked around so she could see me since her face was turned to the wall.
"Gage?"
"Ssssh, it's okay I'm here." I hugged her lightly as I wiped her tears, her body was shaking really hard and I knew what that meant, panic attack. She grabbed on to me so tight I could feel the bones in her chest.
"Don't leave me please don't leave me."
I fought my own tears as I tried to soothe her.
"I won't, I promise."
Home, that's what the fuck I felt in her arms, holding her again when I thought this would never happen, when I had thought it was fucking impossible. I guess watching the woman you love almost die went a long way to abating anger.
She was my baby, my butterfly, and after I straightened her shit out I would work on forgiving. What? You didn't think I was gonna be a sucker did you? It takes two to tango, the fact still remained that she was in that car. Fuck, would I ever go a day without that shit fucking with my head? Focus dickhead, alrighty then.
"Here drink some water." I held the little plastic straw up to her lips or at least I tried to but she was holding on so tight it was hard to maneuver.
I sat on the bed and drew her into my lap, Rex was happy as fuck, he could give a shit what was going on, his two humans were together in the same place for the first time in way too long in his short life and he was ready to play. Spoilt fuck. I'm kidding that's my boy he'd got his mother to wake up hadn't he?
I finally got some water in her between her sniffles and shakes. When I thought she'd had enough I laid back against the bed with her still cradled in my arms. It felt so fucking good to have her there again damn.
I played with her hair while she drifted off again. I probably should let dad know she had woken up but I wasn't leaving her. Never again.
Chapter 21
I must've dozed off because I woke to her staring at me. I took a deep breath and enfolded her closer to me, throwing my leg over both of hers. Fuck, that's the way we usually woke in the mornings. I tried drawing away from her but she wasn't having that shit.
"Please don't." She burrowed into me like she was trying to crawl into my fucking body. So I held on tighter.
We still had a lot of shit to work out but she needed me, I didn't want her disappearing in her head again that shit was scary as fuck.
It felt good as fuck to hold her like this again and I could pretend I was doing this for her, but I knew it was as much for me as it was her.
I kissed the top of her head as she drenched my shirt with her tears. How the fuck could someone who was dehydrated have so many tears inside? Fuck if I know. I held her through her crying jag rubbing her back in comfort all the while. I'm thinking now wasn't such a good time to talk.
She was so weak she couldn't stay awake she drifted in and out of sleep for the rest of the morning. I had relocked the door a while ago and there was a lot of traffic out there, I had heard first her dad and then the twins trying to get in but I didn't get up to let them in, there was some grumbling and loud voices but I didn't give a fuck. They better not wake her the fuck up, just saying.
I texted Brian to keep everyone the fuck away and I guess he was doing his job because that shit had quieted down. I had my phone on vibrate, I didn't need to talk to any fucking one, the only person I gave two fucks about right now was right here next to me, the rest of the world could go fuck itself. That shit had been buzzing away like fuck for the last half hour though, I guess I should see what the fuck was up, it could be Brian, though I think if it was that important he would've come to the door.
I had a fuck load of text from that O’Reilly broad fuck was her problem? Maybe she was looking for butterfly; fuck if I was going to tell her where she was. Bitch had dropped the fucking
ball, first chance I get I’m firing her ass. It was her responsibility to protect my girls' public image she had done a bang up fucking job now hadn't she? I don't believe in half ass work you failed at your job find another line of work. I wouldn't pay that bitch to walk Rex.
Angry much there Maddox? I probably should cut her some slack, after all my own publicist didn't do much in the way of protecting my ass either. What a fucking cluster fuck.
Chapter 22
Suzette finally woke up for the last time around one, just in time for lunch I was going to force feed her if I had to. Her I V was just about done anyway, time to let dad do his thing. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes with a big yawn and a stretch. Damn she'd lost way too much weight at least my ass was still in tact. What? So I might've copped a feel, or two. It was a whole week and a half since I had any that was a long dry spell for a guy who never went without.
"Gage?"
"Yeah?" I was absently playing with her hair the way I usually did.
"Are you, are we...uhmm." She bit her lip in that way that drove me fucking nuts, I know she wasn't doing it to get me all riled up but damn, I had no control over that shit. Like Pavlov's fucking dog I followed that action until she released it.
"Are we okay?"
"Uh, no." The fuck? I gave her the crinkle brows like she was stupid; how could she even think that shit? Did she think because she had me by the balls I was a pushover? She knew me better than that.
I eased her out of my arms and got off the bed, time to put some distance between us.
"How could you even think that?" She started that sniffling shit again but I was determined this time not to let it sway me. I knew lying down in that bed was a huge mistake. Fuck.
"I don't know, I...I guess you're ready to talk?"
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