Finding Sanctuary [Sanctuary, Montana 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Alicia White

  “No,” she said as her body jerked forward, her chest hitting the steering wheel. “He hit us again!”

  “I’m going to kill that fucker!” Mason yelled.

  “Mason…Mason, I need you.” She wanted to cry, but she needed to hold it together for Alice.

  Taking a quick peek at Alice, she was holding her seat belt strap tight and leaning against the seat. Her face was white, and Sophie understood her fear. She felt it as well.

  “I’m coming to you now, just turned onto State Road 47. Where are you?”

  “By the school.” Sophie’s voice shook.

  Loud honking made her jerk her head to the left, and she made direct eye contact with Curt. His lips were pursed, his nose still obviously broken, two black eyes, and his jaw tight. He looked like a monster. Before she could react, he jerked his vehicle left and hit the side of her car. Sophie screamed as she dropped the phone, grabbing the wheel with both hands. She went off the side of the road, before righting the car and getting back onto the street. She didn’t want to stop, but she wondered if that would be the safest thing at this point.

  “We’re okay, Mason. Mom got us back on the road.” Alice’s voice was shaking and Sophie looked over. It appeared that Alice had been able to pick up the phone and give an update. She was grateful for that. She didn’t want Mason and Alex freaking out.

  “Tell him that I hear sirens.” Sophie looked around, frantically searching for Curt, the cops, and Mason and Alex.

  “Mom hears sirens,” Alice parroted.

  “Oh, shit! Hold on, Alice!” Curt rammed their car once more.

  Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Sophie tried to remain in control of the vehicle. The car spun and she turned the wheel, wanting to right it, but ended up off the right shoulder. Slamming on the brakes, Sophie shrieked while leaning left, hoping her weight would prevent them from falling. She was really scared. There was a ravine, and if the car tipped to the right, it would fall.

  Opening the car door, she unbuckled Alice and pulled her out the driver’s side door. Sophie looked around before she started running, needing to get away. She heard tires sliding over gravel and pushed herself harder, practically dragging Alice behind her.

  “I’m gonna kill you, bitch!” Curt yelled behind them.

  Sophie looked over her shoulder and saw a flash of metal glint off the sun. A loud bang shook her, making her ears ring and head pound. Thinking fast, Sophie grabbed Alice and jumped down into the ravine. She twisted her ankle as she went and turned, wrapping her body around Alice’s, pulling her against her chest, wanting to protect her. Her back met the hard ground and the world turned silent.

  * * * *

  Alice lay motionless in her mom’s arms. She stared up at the blue sky and watched as big, fluffy white clouds went by. She heard yelling in the distance but couldn’t quite understand what was being said. Did someone yell my name? What happened? Where am I? Looking down at her chest, Alice unclasped her mom’s hands from around her. She moved off her mom, trying to be gentle so that she didn’t hurt her.

  She sat down next to her mom and picked up her head, placing it in her lap. There was blood on her face and in her hair, but Alice didn’t know what to do.

  “Mom?” Her voice sounded weird. It echoed through her head, and Alice tried to make herself yawn, thinking that might help. “Mom, can you hear me?” Alice shook her, and tears blurred her vision.

  “Help me! Help! I don’t know what to do!” She was yelling. She knew she was, but still she could barely even hear her own voice.

  “Alice! I’m coming to help you!” Looking up, she saw Mason waving both arms in the air. How long had he been there?

  Alice looked down at her mom’s face and started to sob. Her eyes were closed. Mom, please be alive. What’s going to happen to me if you die? She rocked back and forth begging to God for help. Her mom always said prayers, especially at night when she thought Alice was sleeping. She would cry and beg for help. Someone had heard her. They’d ended up in Sanctuary with Mason and Alex. She had Cody. They weren’t alone anymore.

  A shadow appeared over her mom’s body and Alice looked up. Mason, Alex, and a couple of paramedics were staring at them. Slowly, as if in slow motion, Mason reached down and picked her up, as the two paramedics got her mom onto the stretcher. Mason wrapped his arms around her and Alice felt boneless.

  “Alice? Alice, honey, can you hear me? Are you in any pain?” Mason asked, searching her face, but she didn’t know what to say.

  Was she in pain? Yes, her heart was breaking. Her father had finally succeeded. He’d killed her mother, the only person that loved her. Big tears dripped down her cheeks, and she could barely breathe. What’s going to happen to me? Will I have to live with my father? Will I have to leave Sanctuary?

  “Alice. Shhh…it’s okay, honey. Everything is going to be okay.”

  * * * *

  This was the worst day of his life. Mason cradled an unresponsive Alice in his arms as two paramedics carried Sophie on a stretcher up the ravine. Alex was running after Sophie and would probably hitch a ride to the hospital. His responsibility was to make sure Alice was okay. He needed to make sure that Sophie’s pride and joy would recover.

  Another ambulance was waiting, and Mason strode to it. He tried to hand Alice off, but she started screaming, gripping his T-shirt. At that point, he changed his mind. No way in hell was he going to let her go. She needed him, and honestly, he needed her.

  “Alice.” He kept his voice as calm as he could. “Honey, I’m going to climb into the back of the ambulance with you, okay? I’m going to hold you, but the paramedics need to check you for injuries. Do you understand?” There was no response, as she just stared blankly out at nothing. “Okay. I’m climbing in now. We’re going to the hospital.”

  The doors slammed, and he sat there on a bench, holding Sophie’s baby in his arms. For the first time in his life, he felt completely powerless. He should’ve known that her ex would show up. He should’ve been prepared. Fuck, I should’ve made Sophie stay home! What if… Questions ran through his mind a mile a minute, and he didn’t have any answers.

  The doors opened and someone grabbed Mason’s arm, helping him to step down from the truck. Once he stepped foot inside the emergency room, there were doctors and nurses everywhere, people running in every direction. A bed was rolled over to him, slamming into his thighs.

  “Sir…Mr. McLean…Mason, we need you to put the girl down. We have to do X-rays and a full workup.” He nodded and laid Alice down. This time she didn’t fight. She just stared up at him with blank eyes.

  “I need to go with her.”

  “Sure, follow us. You’ll have to remain outside of the X-ray room, but you can stay close.”

  “Her mom…Sophie Miller, do you know anything?” He kept one eye on Alice and the other on where they were walking. He needed to stay alert.

  “I’m not sure about her condition. The ambulance she arrived in pulled up just minutes before you. She’s probably getting a full workup right now. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.” They were moving fast, rolling Alice on the bed down to X-ray.

  He hoped like hell she wasn’t injured physically. Emotionally, that was another thing all together. The poor girl was only twelve and had been through more in her short life than anybody should have to endure. How many different schools had she attended? How much fear had she dealt with on a daily basis? She was more of an adult than a kid. Hell, she was more of an adult than other adults he knew.

  They went through a pair of double doors and pushed the gurney under a huge X-ray machine. Mason quickly stepped out of the room and watched through the rectangular windows. Alice lay there motionless. He leaned his head against the glass and willed her to blink, to talk, to move, anything. If anything happens to you, your mom isn’t going to make it.

  The gurney came toward the double doors and Mason got out of the way as they slammed open. He strode behind, not willing to let Alice out of his sight,
even for a moment. Entering into another room, a few doctors stepped forward and started checking Alice out, doing a full workup. He stood outside the room, pacing, not wanting to get in the way. He needed answers, and the worst thing he could do was interrupt and cause more possible damage to Alice’s condition.

  Several minutes passed, and still he waited. It seemed as if time had stopped altogether. The wait was agonizing. Finally, a doctor walked toward him, a grim look on his face, and Mason’s heart sank. Oh, God, please don’t make me have to give Sophie bad news.

  “Physically, she’s fine. No broken bones and no internal damage. She only has a few minor scrapes, but she does appear to be in a state of shock from the trauma. We’re going to admit her, run fluids, and keep an eye on her.”

  Nodding, Mason shoved his hands through his hair. “Any updates on her mom, Sophie Miller? If Alice hears something good, maybe that will help.”

  “I’ll find out and let you know. She needs to rest.”

  Mason pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He needed help. Reinforcements were needed, and the only people he could depend on were his family.

  “Hello?” His mom’s sweet voice answered the phone.

  “Mom, I need you here at the hospital. Sophie and Alice…” That’s all he could say.

  “We’re on our way. I’ll call your brothers.” His mom hung up, and Mason breathed a sigh of relief.

  The McLean family stuck together no matter what, and right now he needed his mom to sit with Alice, so he could check on Sophie. He wanted to bring some good news to the kid. Taking a deep breath, Mason went inside Alice’s hospital room. She looked so small on the huge bed, the blanket pulled up to her chin and an IV in her skinny little arm. Grabbing a chair, he placed it next to the bed and sat down.

  “Hey, Alice. I’m still here, honey.” There was no reaction, but he kept on talking, rambling on about whatever he could think of.

  “It’s been so nice having you and your mom move in. We—Alex and I—really love having you both around. The house used to be so quiet.” He shook his head, grinning slightly. He thought of how much his life had changed since meeting them both. It was now filled with laughter and love.

  “I’m not sure if you know this, but I was at the grocery store the day you got that horse binder you love so much. You have a heart of gold, kid, and you take care of your mom. I want you to know that Alex and I want to take care of you both now. We will keep you both safe.”

  “Why don’t you tell her that she never has to be scared again? Her father won’t be coming back. Ever.” Alex growled the last word as he stepped into the room.

  “How come?” Alice whispered, and Mason felt relief pour though his system. Poor girl, she just needed to hear that she would never be terrorized again.

  “The police got him, honey,” Alex answered for him. His brother didn’t tell the whole story, and maybe that was for the best.

  “No. They never keep him long. He’s a cop, he’s got friends, and he’ll always come back.” Her voice was monotone, no emotion or feeling at all. She turned then, putting her back to him before sniffling.

  “Alice, I didn’t want to tell you this. I really didn’t, but I think you need to hear the whole truth.” Mason stood and touched her shoulder, trying to console her. “He won’t be coming back. I can promise you that. Your mom protected you. That’s how you both ended up in that ravine. He had a gun, honey, and the police shot him. He…uh…he didn’t make it.” He hoped his words soothed some of the pain and fear without causing her more grief.

  Maybe it wasn’t his place to say anything. He still remembered yelling in absolute terror when he’d heard the gunfire. The cops saw it all as well, and when Curt wouldn’t put his gun down, they fired, killing him. Mason and Alex had sprinted down to the ravine. His heart in his throat, he wasn’t sure what he’d find.

  After a couple minutes of silence, Alice turned over, lying on her back. She stared up at him, tears in her eyes, and he felt like an ass. The man was her father even though he didn’t deserve the title or the honor.

  “It’s finally over? Really over?” Tears leaked down her cheeks, and she gifted him with a sad smile.

  “Yeah. It’s over. No more running and hiding.”

  Chapter 14

  “Alice!” The scream ripped from her throat as she sat up, desperately searching for her daughter.

  She was surrounded by darkness and started to panic. Throwing the blanket back, she scrambled out of bed, her feet meeting the cold linoleum floor. She took a couple steps on wobbly legs, and her arm was pulled back. Using her opposite hand, she felt around and touched what appeared to be an IV tube. Without thought, Sophie pulled it out, cringing at the sharp pain that ran through her arm.

  Shaking, Sophie walked on silent feet, trying not to make a sound. She had no idea where she was or where Curt was. She needed to act fast, before he drugged her more or did something horrid to Alice. Her poor baby. She should’ve stayed at the ranch. She should’ve known that he’d be back. She just hoped that he wouldn’t. This time though, he’d want revenge. He’d want to hurt her in ways she couldn’t possibly imagine.

  The light under the door beckoned, and Sophie went to it. With shaky hands she fumbled around until she found the handle. She turned it as quietly as she could and tried to mentally prepare herself for what she would find. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her side as excruciating pain ran through her. Finally, after a couple minutes, she built up her courage and looked out. It was an empty hallway, doors lining each side, and florescent lights glowed brightly. It took her eyes a few minutes to adjust, watering from the change.

  Where the hell am I? What happened? Where’s Alice. Could she be in one of these other rooms? Leaning against the doorframe, she tried to think. The last thing she remembered was hearing a loud bang and then falling into a ravine. Shit, did I get shot? Oh, God, did Alice? Sophie looked down at herself and realized that she was wearing a hospital gown.

  Hard footsteps echoed, coming closer, getting louder, and Sophie sank back into the room. She leaned against the wall by the door and waited. If he was coming back to finish the job, she needed to fight. She needed to catch him by surprise and run, but where the hell was she going to go. She couldn’t leave Alice behind, but she didn’t know where she was.

  The door eased open, and Sophie started to breathe through her mouth as quietly as she could. A dark figure walked into the room. Once his large frame was standing close to the bed, she took silent steps and made it outside into the hallway. She started to run then, having no idea what her destination was. She just knew that she needed to get away. She needed to get to a safe place.

  Strong arms wrapped around her middle, and she started screaming, kicking, and fighting with all her might. “No! No! Don’t touch me!” Her body was in pain, her throat raw, and Sophie tried to break his hold with all her might.

  “Sophie? Sophie, baby, it’s Mason, love. Please, calm down. You’re okay. Alice is safe. Shhhh.” He was petting her then, speaking in a quiet, calm voice.

  It took a minute for her brain to register that it was in fact Mason and not Curt. He was holding her gently against his chest. Gasping for breath, Sophie collapsed, her legs giving out. Mason picked her up then, holding her like a baby, and she sobbed loudly against his shoulder. She didn’t stop until she felt the bed against her back once more.

  “Don’t leave me,” she cried out.

  “I’ll never leave you. I’m just going to get in bed next to you and hold you.” She felt the bed dip, and Mason’s arm wrapped around her tightly.

  She heard his voice whispering in her ear but couldn’t make out what he was saying. Exhaustion pulled her back under.

  * * * *

  Mason held Sophie close, telling her how much he loved her, until her breathing changed and she fell asleep. He was still a bit shaken by the scene in the hallway. He’d never seen Sophie like that. Using one hand, he brushed her hair away from her face and looked at her
. The light from the hallway cast a halo around her, making her appear innocent and fragile. He vowed for the rest of his life he would do anything to bring her happiness. She deserved nothing but the very best.

  The door opened then, allowing more light into the room. He looked up and watched as Alex came in.

  “Did she wake up? Is she okay?” Alex questioned him frantically, and Mason gave a light nod.

  He told Alex what had happened, detailing her facial expressions and the tangible fear that existed around her. He’d only just left the room, wanting to give Alice an update. Sophie would be fine. She had a few cracked ribs and had hit her head. They wanted to keep her just in case she had a concussion. They would both physically recover. Now he and Alex just needed to make sure that they were taken care of so that they could recover emotionally.

  “I shouldn’t have left. The nurse assured me she’d be passed out for the rest of the night. The pain medication didn’t do its damn job.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up. All that matters now is that they’re both safe. That monster is gone for good. Tomorrow, we’ll take them home.” Alex pulled a chair over to the bed and sat down, stretching out his legs.

  “The nurse will be wheeling Alice’s bed in here in the next couple of minutes. You should’ve seen Mom. The staff is jumping to do her bidding,” Alex scoffed.

  Mason had wanted to bring Alice in hours ago, but the hospital staff refused. He hadn’t wanted to waste any time getting back to Sophie, so he dropped it. After he left, his mom must’ve worked her magic. Nobody said no to their mom. He was glad that she had come to the hospital. They really did need her around to calm things down. He and Alex were both too emotional.

  “Here she is now.” Alex got up and helped them wheel Alice’s bed into the dark room. They didn’t turn on any lights, wanting Sophie to sleep.

  Mason would’ve gotten up to help, but he couldn’t force himself to let go of Sophie. She’d begged him not to leave her, and he wouldn’t. Nobody would be able to drag him from her side. He kissed her forehead, her jaw, and her lips. This perfect, delicate woman was his, and he planned on making her their wife as soon as possible.