Evan (Novella): 3.5 (A Carter Brother Series)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Playing with fire, pig,’’ he grits out. With a force I didn’t think he had left in him, he has me by the shoulders and is hauling me across the kitchen, my body smacking hard into the kitchen sink. Cutlery crashes around me, plates and mugs smashing on the floor.

  Rolling to the side, I roll off the kitchen sink and straighten up. Grunting I rush forward, swinging my fists into the side of his stomach. He hisses out a pain at the same time he lands another blow to my jaw, knocking me back a few steps. I soon gain composure and push him against the work bench on the other side of the kitchen, my hands gripping his neck in another tight squeeze. Only this time I show him no mercy.

  Seeing his rugged scar across his face is just another reminder of how scared Kennedy was of him. Images of her bruised face and body flicker through my mind and it just causes my anger to rise.

  “You’ll fucking pay for what you’ve done to my woman and daughter,’’ I growl. The metallic taste of blood invades my mouth and it’s worse than the smell of blood filling the air in the tiny little kitchen.

  “Fuck… you,’’ he chokes out trying to spit at me.

  I laugh throwing my head back and I know I sound manic. I’m crazy. I must be. I hear Harris shout something to me but the ringing in my ears hasn’t stopped, it’s blurred all of my senses of hearing, control, and reasoning.

  When I look back down into the eyes of the soulless man that did this to my life, my world, I finally snap out of it. He needs to pay. And I don’t mean paying from me ending his life. That’s too easy for him. It’ll only cause me to be punished for his wrongdoings. Going to jail because of a fucking loser like him isn’t going to help me get Imogen back to her mother. It’s not going to change what has happened and, as I said, it’s too easy for him if I let him die.

  I throw Damon off me, pushing his limp body back into the counter with a loud thud. Turning around I’m about to question Harris when I see something silver reflect in the kitchen light. It blinds me momentarily, enough time for me to notice Damon raise his hand.

  Even exhausted, emotionally drained and only charged by my anger, I move quickly. My hand dashes out grabbing his wrist in a tight grip. I move forward, shovelling him backwards before taking his hand and slamming it up against the high wall cupboard. It takes me a few attempts before the knife drops to the floor. Once it’s safe I move back and before he can take another swing at me, I rear my fist back, taking one last shot, knocking him out cold.

  He falls to the floor in a heap and I don’t bother moving to check if he’s alright. I just turn to get my daughter.

  Harris is there, his foot on a lady’s back whilst he holds a screaming Imogen in his arms. She looks filthy. The fuckers haven’t even bothered changing her. She’s been lying in a shitty, wet nappy, the stench is nearly making me gag. It’s soaked through her clothes, the stains are visible and my heart clenches.

  She’s still screaming her lungs out, her face is bright red, bordering on purple, but other than that, I can’t see any cuts or bruises. That said, it still doesn’t mean that there isn’t some on her or that they haven’t hurt her.

  I keep my eyes locked with Harris’ whilst grabbing Imogen from him. The second I get her in my arms I’m holding her tight in my arms. She cries harder, the sound breaking my heart. I check her over visually seeing no signs of any injuries which causes me to relax a little. But the smell of weed on her clothes has my body tightening all over again.

  I need to know if the ambulance is on the way, so when I open my mouth to ask, a scuffle on the floor has me looking down. Harris has still got his foot pressed firmly down on who I presume is the mother. I end up giving him a strange look before my eyes rear back to the struggling woman on the floor.

  “She resisted arrest,’’ he shrugs and I can tell he’s not telling me something when his eyes flick to the left.

  “What did she do?’’ I bite out, wishing I could scrap my hitting no women policy just for a second. The woman is wearing dirty, grubby clothes that are far too big for her. I can see bone sticking out everywhere I look, and when my eyes reach hers they look just as cold and ragged as her expression.

  “Look, the ambulance should be outside in a sec,’’ he says, just as I hear the sirens moving closer. I move to the door just as he speaks. “Don’t lose your head now. They’re going to tell you eventually or you’ll hear me inform the paramedic, but she had her hands wrapped round Immy’s neck so make sure the paramedics look her over properly,’’ he adds quickly, looking like he’s ready to strain me if need be.

  “Fuck.’’ I’m torn on whether to hit a woman for the first time in my life, but having Imogen screaming in my arms reminds me she needs to get to the hospital. She needs to be checked over and she certainly needs to come before some dirty fucking scumbag. Damon’s mom will pay for what she did, just like her son.

  Walking out the door two officers come running up the front garden. “They’re in the kitchen. One’s knocked out, one is being restrained,’’ I tell them as I walk straight to the ambulance. I’m about to walk into the back when the male paramedic stops me.

  “Sorry, sir, but you’ll have to wait. We have a patient that is unconscious that we need to deal with first,’’ he says and I see red.

  “No, you don’t,’’ I bite out. “You have a five month old baby that was kidnapped, strangled and filthy; she’s covered in shit and piss. Now get in the front seat and drive us to the fucking hospital.”

  He opens his mouth and although he looks apologetic he seems like the type of guy who hates having his balls handed to him. He grunts under his breath.

  “I’m going to call for another paramedic but I’ll go check on him before I come back,’’ the male paramedic tells us. I want to pull him back, tell him that fucker deserves to rot.

  The female paramedic holds her arms out for Imogen and I hesitate for a second before handing her over. She’s still squirming, her lungs protesting at her hoarse cries. When I found out about Imogen I knew I’d worry every second of every day. I’d be that dad that would be over protective, not letting her date and giving her a curfew. I’d be at every school play, every dance performance, and every sports day. But not once when I thought about our future did I consider feeling this kind of pain. Losing her never even registered in my head, I never prepared myself for it because it never felt like a possibility. I’d die before I let anything or anyone hurt her.

  But today I failed.

  I didn’t protect her.

  Now she’s hurt, she’s screaming and going through God knows what and there’s nothing I can do.

  Not even a week as her father and already I failed in the worst possible way.

  “Can you tell us if she has any medical conditions?’’ the female paramedic asks gently, lying Immy down onto the bed.

  My mind is blank. I know nothing. I know nothing about her medical conditions other than what Kennedy has told me about her birth. She hasn’t said anything about any long lasting conditions.

  Looking up at the paramedic, I scrub my hands down my face before answering her, giving her everything I know. “She was born an addict. I know she had some problems after being born, but I don’t think it’s on-going. I’ve only been in her life for a short while,’’ I lie, not wanting to come across as a prick. I’m worried if I tell them I’ve only been in her life for a week that they won’t let me stay with her.

  “Are you the girl’s father?’’

  “Yes,’’ I nod watching her carefully for judgement, but when I see none I relax somewhat. It’s obvious I’m involved in the law and the fact I’ve just announced Immy was born an addict, I can only imagine what they are thinking.

  I reach out to Imogen and straight away she wraps her hand around my finger and I smile down at her, my heart splitting wide open.

  “Can I change her?’’ the woman asks and I nod my head, feeling tears fill my eyes. I could have lost her. I could have lost her and her mother in the same day. I still don’t know what’s
going on with Kennedy at the hospital, no one has got in touch with me since I left and I don’t know whether that’s good or bad. Just thinking about Kennedy all alone, hurting and suffering in that hospital has my heart beating faster and causes worry to form into the pit of my stomach.

  I watch as she gently undresses her, using wet wipes to clean up her body. When she starts sticking pads to her chest I make a choking sound, my throat closing up.

  “I need you to hold her arm for me?’’

  “What? Why?’’ I ask panicked.

  “I need to get your daughter on an IV. She needs fluids,’’ she explains as she messes around with her equipment.

  Taking a huge breath I grab Immy’s tiny arm in my hand, feeling sick to my stomach as she screams through the needle piercing her skin. The paramedic works quickly and fluently. When she’s done she turns to the front of the ambulance.

  I turn in the same direction noticing for the first time that the other paramedic has returned.

  “We’re good to go,’’ she shouts through, grabbing a few other things off the side.

  “Is she going to be okay?’’ I ask her once the car starts moving.

  “I’m going to leave her unclothed for the time being and wrap her up warm in a blanket. Hopefully now that she’s out of her soiled clothes and is getting some fluids inside her, she will be able to settle. She has some bruising on the side of her neck, finger marks clearly the cause. The doctors at the hospital will look over those when we arrive. Her heart rate is a little high at the moment but it’s most likely due to stress her body is under. Once we have her settled and relaxed, we will be able to tell you more. There are no other clear signs of injury, but we have the best doctors waiting on standby in the ER.’’

  “Thank you,’’ I choke out, watching her move effortlessly tending to Imogen while the car moves steadily through traffic.

  We’re nearing the hospital when Imogen finally falls asleep from exhaustion, her tiny hand still gripping my finger with all its might.

  The closer we get the harder I pray that when I walk into that hospital, Kennedy is awake and ready to greet us. We need her. Imogen needs her.

  One way or another, I’m not leaving this hospital without both of my girls in my arms. In fact, once we’re home, there is no way I’m ever letting them leave me again.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  KENNEDY

  Holy panthers, my head hurts. What is going on? What is that noise? I open my eyes with a struggle. They feel heavy like they’re somehow glued together. Inside I’m panicking, wondering why I don’t feel like I have control over my body. I lift my hand but that too feels heavy. My eyes water behind my eyelids. My tears seem to make it easier for me to open my eyes and when I do I’m taken aback when I find I’m lying in a hospital bed, tubes sticking from my arms and hands.

  My head becomes too heavy to move anymore, and I look up at the dull, cream ceiling wondering why I’m here. What did I do? Loads of scenarios run through my head, but none are making any sense to me. My imagination is running wild with awful explanations but the headache pounding in my head is stopping anything real to form.

  That’s when the pain begins to register. At first it’s just the pounding in my head, like someone has a hammer on the inside trying to smash their way out. My leg, chest, hell my whole body is throbbing in excruciating pain. Touching my hand to my head I feel a bandage wrapped around me and I begin to panic. Needing to get up, I twist and turn in the bed, cries of pain leaving my mouth.

  Even though my body is about to give up, I’m not. I need answers. Just when I’m about to open my mouth, to scream, the door opens to a girl I recognise walks through. She must hear the sound that escapes my mouth because her head snaps up and she gasps. She’s looking at me with a mix of horror and concern.

  In a panic I open my mouth to plead for answers. But in a blinding assault everything comes flooding back painfully.

  Imogen.

  Mel had called me. There was a breakin. Then Imogen was taken. Does anyone know? Has Mel called the police? Do they have her? Oh no! What if she’s still out there and nobody knows? A strangled cry leaves my mouth.

  I throw the covers off me, ignoring the pain that assaults my bruised, aching body. Any other time I’d feel ashamed, embarrassed, knowing she is seeing me at my most vulnerable. It’s not a feeling I’m accustomed too. Especially with someone who dislikes me.

  Sitting up feels like a chore, a painful, miserable chore. The gown they’ve dressed me in has an open back and I feel the breeze hitting my bare skin causing me to shiver. Nothing is going to stop me from getting to my daughter. Even if I have to wander these halls or the streets dressed in only this.

  “Hey, Kennedy, it’s me. Do you remember me? It’s Denny, Evan’s sister,’’ the girl says sweetly and I look up to find tears in her eyes. Why is she crying? Has something happened to Imogen? Does she know something?

  “You need… You need to help me. Imogen… I need to find Imogen,’’ I cry. The pain in my throat feeling so raw, so painful, that it’s beyond any sore throat I’ve suffered in the past.

  “Calm down, Kennedy. Come on, get back into bed. You need to rest. I know about Imogen. Evan is going to get your daughter back, I promise,’’ she says with conviction, her voice stern and full of promise.

  “Why are you here?’’ I ask deflated. I do as I’m told, lying back down in bed. The look in her eyes leaves no room for argument and there’s no way I have the strength to fight with her. Not when I need to save my strength for Imogen. She will need me.

  “Lexi, Evan’s next door neighbour, called me. She’s outside. She didn’t think you’d want her in here but she hasn’t left. She’s worried about you,’’ Denny tells me. Lexi? Outside? And Denny is here. What the fudge have I woken up to. None of this feels real. Not Denny, not Lexi and not being in hospital.

  “Is this real or am I dreaming?’’ I ask her seriously. She giggles just as the door opens.

  “Is there any signs of her wake…Oh, hey, I’ll wait outside,’’ Lexi murmurs quietly, her face flushed.

  “Lexi?’’ I call out, wondering what she’s doing here. Does she know about Imogen or where Evan is?

  “Hey,’’ she calls back walking over to me slowly. She looks tired and worried and her concern shocks me after what she pulled with Evan. But I know if anyone has answers, she will.

  “Where’s Evan?’’ I ask, tears in my voice.

  “He’s gone to get your girl,’’ she says giving me a small smile.

  “He’s found her?’’ I ask, my heart picking up hope.

  “I’m not sure. When I left he was adamant she was at Damon’s mother’s house,’’ she tells me honestly.

  I gasp. My worry in the car about Damon had been right. That breakin was a set up, a trap to get my girl. But how did he know she’d be at Mel’s? It’s not like Mel and I go out and party together. All I know is, if she’s with that monster she isn’t safe.

  His words repeat over and over in my head, the promise he made to sell Imogen and my vision becomes blurry.

  I try to get up again knowing what Damon plans to do to her. He said he’d sell her. He only cares about getting his lousy three grand back. Three grand he willingly gave a drug addict in the first place. He doesn’t care what my baby will be going through. That he’s ruining her life or mine, that he’s destroying two innocent people’s lives.

  “Hey, he’ll find her. He loves you, Kennedy, he loves you both. He won’t stop until he finds her,’’ she tells me and I can hear the sincerity in her voice. She doesn’t look sad by it, only sure of it.

  “He’s going to sell her,’’ I cry out, the pain in my body becoming too much. Denny helps lay me back down, but my body remains stiff, and my tears remain to flow down my face.

  “Who, Evan?’’ Denny asks confused.

  “No. My sister was into some bad stuff. The man she owed money to came over to my house and beat me. He threatened to take Imogen and sell her.’’r />
  “Oh, God,’’ Denny cries, covering her mouth. “You’ve been going through so much. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry for the way I acted. I was being stubborn and stupid. I never meant any of the things I said. None of it was even really about you. My stupid jealousy took over. I just miss my brother,’’ she admits and I reach out and take her hand.

  “It’s fine. I understood where you were coming from. I just didn’t want you to fight with each other because of me,’’ I tell her, feeling my eyes water. “He loves you.’’

  “I know. I just wish I dealt with everything that day a lot differently. Being a mom has changed me in so many ways, but I guess, deep down, I’ve still got that childishness in me. I’ve got a lot to learn,’’ she admits sadly.

  “You were being an overprotective sister,’’ I smile, but it wobbles as more tears fall free. “I’m sorry too, for springing all that stuff on you without warning.’’

  “Since we’re all on the apology train, I want to say sorry too, Kennedy. What I did was uncalled for, but mostly, I’m sorry because I was in the wrong. I saw him happy and I suppose it got to me because I couldn’t find my happy. Deep down I knew I’d never find it with him, but when I noticed he had it, I believed I could have that with him too. It was wrong of me. I’m just sorry I hurt you. You’ve done nothing but be kind to me, whereas, if I was you, I would have slammed the door in my face by now,’’ she laughs, but it’s forced, the smile not reaching her eyes.

  I remember all the times she’d pass judgement when I would open the door. The look she would get in her eyes. Not once did I think she was jealous of the situation. I only saw her jealous of my relationship with Evan.