Unbroken

by Riley Edwards

  I wondered if Reid felt the same way? Like it was his fault that Carl had fallen off the coo-coo truck and came after me.

  “I should’ve known. Researched more. It is my job to know. I failed, and you were hurt because of it.” Austin tried to push me away from him.

  “No. You had no way of knowing about Carl. You all thought that the danger was Jimmy. And you took care of that. The doctor said the only thing wrong with me is I may have a concussion. Nothing serious. Nothing that all of you guys haven’t had in the past. I’ll be fine in a few days.”

  Austin’s body stiffened, and the air around us changed. He maneuvered me in front of him careful not to move the blanket still covering my naked body.

  “Ava, you have to find a way to deal with this. I know it is hard. I know because it happened to my sister. She couldn’t deal. JJ needs you, we will all help you figure this out.”

  I cocked my head to the side not understanding what he was talking about. Weirdly I was alright. Maybe, once the relief of being rescued wore off, it would hit me I was kidnapped by a deranged lunatic, but for now, I was okay.

  When I didn’t respond, he continued. “Sexual assault is…”

  “I wasn’t raped,” I blurted out.

  “But I thought… you said in the parking lot…” Austin stumbled.

  “I felt dirty, and used up. Carl saw me naked. He put his mouth on mine. He tried to touch me. No man has seen me with no clothes on since Jacob died.” I closed my eyes feeling even sillier now for my display in the parking lot. “Until yesterday, the last man I kissed was my husband. For years, I hadn’t thought of another man. Never dreamed I’d touch another man. Then, I share this one incredible kiss with Reid. It wasn’t just any kiss. It was life-changing, excruciating, unbelievable. I was afraid Carl ruined that, that he took that away from me and Reid. That is why I said that. You guys saved me in time. He never touched me like that. I promise.”

  I don’t know what compelled me to admit that to Austin. Maybe I was stronger than I thought. Maybe with Reid by my side, I was ready to start living again. What I did know was, it felt good to find a little piece of the old me. The person I was before… Jacob was taken.

  22

  Ready

  Reid

  I watched Ava and Austin from across the room. I was so fucking proud of my woman. There she was being strong for Austin, sensing he needed comfort. She pushed past her insecurities and reservations, and shocked the hell out of me when she opened up to him. In all the years I had known Ava, I had never seen her be so vulnerable.

  So Goddamn strong.

  The same relief I felt washed over Austin’s face. He pulled her into another tight hug and laughed.

  He whispered something into her hair that I couldn’t hear; she nodded and looked up at him.

  “Go. Your man is waiting for you,” he said.

  She didn’t respond, just took the bag Austin held out and walked back to me. Her face open, beautiful whiskey colored eyes shining brightly. Yeah, my woman was strong, and if she had a moment of weakness, I would be there.

  It was definitely time. The cinderblock wall she had built was about to crumble. Not only was it going to crumble but it was going to happen fast. Now that I had a taste of all the sweetness that was her, there was no taking it slow.

  I took her hand again and led her to the bathroom. “I’ll wait right outside the door. Get dressed, and we’ll leave. I know you said you wanted a shower but that’s gonna have to wait.”

  “Okay, Reid.” Without any argument, she closed the bathroom door.

  I caught Austin’s stare from across the room, he still had something on his mind. I gave him a chin lift and motioned for him to come down the hall. I needed to talk to him, but there was no way I was leaving my post. If Ava opened the door, I wanted her to know I had not moved.

  “What’s going on?” I asked Austin when he stopped in front of me.

  “Talked to Dustin and asked him to pull the CCV feed from Lake Street and 5th. He only had access to the last month. But Carl has been down your street at least once a day. Sometimes more. He had to have parked down the block, because when Dustin pulled your outside cameras he’s nowhere on them. Another thing, Dustin looked at the footage again from the night Ava’s house was vandalized. He had to of hacked your system and deleted that day’s recordings.”

  “Motherfucker! How the hell did a fruit loop like Carl Allen hack my system? That is impossible.” There was not a snow ball’s chance in hell Carl hacked it without help. I designed that system myself, and had asked several hackers I knew to try and break through. Only one could and with a great amount of time and difficulty.

  “Don’t know man. But your hard drive was wiped clean. I had Dustin double check. We’re still looking into Eva Martin. So far…”

  I cut Austin off before he could finish. “I guarantee she’s dead. Ava said that Carl was talking to Eva when he had her. Only Ava never saw anyone else in the house. She certainly wasn’t there when we went in. The question is, where’d he stash her?”

  “Sick fuck. Dustin and I will hit his house after I get you to the beach house. Mac said that JJ is itchin’ to see you and Ava.” Austin paused and gathered himself. “When you gonna talk to April? I’d like to go with you.”

  Guilt hit my gut. I told Ava the truth, I would forever be grateful for Rick’s sacrifice. He died protecting my woman. It was only right I did the same in return. April was now my responsibility. A responsibility I would gladly take care of.

  “Damn, Austin, I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do. I have to get home to JJ. He wants his mom. I am so damn torn. My family needs me, but shit man, I have to talk to April.”

  As luck, would have it, Ava opened the door just in time to hear the last of my statement. Dammit. Her face paled and sucked in a breath. “You need to go to April, Reid. She needs you. Believe me, I know how much.”

  “Sweetheart, look at me.” I waited for her to meet my eyes before I continued. “I will handle April. I’m gonna be honest with you. It is killing me that I haven’t already been to see her. But, you and JJ? You are my priority. That might make me a dick, but I have to know my family is okay.” I hoped she understood.

  I glanced at Austin wishing he had the answer. Before we could continue Doc Chesterfield walked into the hallway.

  “Here is the information on concussions, Ava. I know that Logan is basically an expert on head trauma, but I want you to read through this information yourself. Please call me if you get a headache, you feel nauseous, or you get dizzy.” The doctor handed Ava a stack of papers. “And, nothing stronger than extra strength Tylenol.” When he was done talking to Ava, he handed me a single dose packet of Tylenol, a bottle of water, and an ice pack.

  “Thank you, doctor,” Ava said when she took the paperwork from his hand. “Will you bill me for the visit? I don’t have my purse.”

  “Silly woman. Logan has me on retainer. There is no payment,” Dr. Chesterfield responded with a broad smile.

  “Thank you.” Ava reached her hand out. When Doc Chesterfield took it, he pulled her in close.

  “You take care of yourself. Please let me know if you need anything,” Doc Chesterfield said to Ava. He released her hand and faced me. “Logan, Austin nice to see you both. While I appreciate a beautiful woman in my office instead of one of your grumpy men I hope next time I see Ava it’s at dinner.” He winked at Ava and continued, “I’ll expect an invite, and soon. Don’t waste time Logan.”

  Without waiting for my response, Doc walked down the hall disappearing into his office. Crazy old man.

  I welcomed the silence as we drove to the beach house. I needed a few minutes to gather my thoughts and form a plan. I was undecided on what needed to happen next. I was running out of time. April needed to be told.

  Ava was snuggled into my arms in the back seat. I looked up and caught Austin’s eye in the rearview mirror, he was watching us. Tonight had to have taken a toll on my friend. I’m
sure all the fucked-up memories from his sister’s kidnapping and rape flooded his head. How could it not? Another thing I needed to do, was get Austin alone so he could unload.

  “I’ll go.” Austin broke the silence. Ava lifted her head off my chest and looked towards Austin. “I’ll drop you and Ava off at the beach house and go talk to April. Carl’s house can wait,” Austin said.

  At that, Ava pushed herself up further, a scowl marring her beautiful face. “What’s at Carl’s house?” Damn that woman never missed a thing. Not that Austin was real smooth in his declaration.

  “Nothing for you to worry about,” I answered, trying to brush any further explanation aside.

  “He had keys to my house,” Ava announced.

  “He what? How do you know he had keys?” Austin inquired, taking his eyes off the road and looking at us in the rearview mirror again.

  “I didn’t have my keys with me. I left them and my cell phone on the counter when we left for breakfast Friday morning. I wasn’t really thinking straight, and I wasn’t driving. Carl let himself into my house,” Ava explained. “He said we were home.”

  Austin looked at me, damn, he was right. Carl was playing house with Ava.

  “What else did he say about Eva?” I questioned Ava. Something was nagging me. Why now? If Carl had been stalking Ava for years why make his move now, instead of say, two years ago? What changed?

  “He called her a jealous bitch…” Ava trailed off. “Nothing else really. He called out to her a few times telling her to bring me water and clean clothes. Told her to hurry up. That was it. I spent most of my time in the trunk, thankfully. Is Eva real? That’s weird right, him having an imaginary friend named Eva. So close to my name.”

  “Eva is real. She was his girlfriend until a month ago. Her parents are worried they haven’t heard from her since her break up with Carl,” I explained. I didn’t want to give Ava any more detail than that, or tell her Austin’s theories.

  “So, what? She left him, and he snapped and came after me to replace her?” Ava questioned.

  “We don’t know yet, that’s why Austin and Dustin are gonna look around his house. Try and find some answers.”

  The beach house came into sight, and I had to make my decision. “You sure you’re good going to April’s by yourself?” I asked Austin.

  “Yeah, I’m sure. I don’t want to overstep, but man you cannot leave your family. Let me help.” Austin pulled in front of the house and turned his body completely around in the seat. “I owe this to Rick. Without getting into detail, he helped me a fuck-ton. When my head was screwed up, he pulled it outta my ass for me. I promise I’ll handle April with care.”

  “Man, this is not about whether or not I think you’ll handle this. It’s fucking with my head because I feel like I am fucking off my responsibility,” I admitted.

  “You know Rick would want you to take care of your family,” Austin continued.

  “I know you’re right. Ava and I will be around April’s tomorrow. I’m taking her to see Suzie in the hospital then we’ll be over. You’re staying there, right? She cannot be left alone.”

  “Of Course. I’ll check in with you in a few. Ava, I am happy you are home safe and sound. We’ll see you tomorrow. This goes without saying, you need anything you call me. I know your man will take good care of you, but the offer is always on the table. We take care of family.”

  “Thank you, Austin,” Ava whispered.

  I don’t know what the two of them talked about when they were in the waiting room. I really didn’t need to know, I trusted Austin, he was a good friend. I was thrilled as fuck my woman’s circle just grew one more person. He was a good person to have on your side. He needed an Ava, and I hoped like hell when that woman came along, he opened himself up to all the goodness she had to offer. He had deep scars that only the love of a good woman could heal.

  “Thanks, man. Later.” I climbed out of the car with Ava in my arms, using my hip to check the door closed.

  “Sweetheart, I am gonna let you walk. As much as I want you in my arms, I think it is important that JJ sees you walkin’ on your own,” I told Ava as I set her on her feet.

  “Thank you, Reid. You’re right.” She stopped and turned towards me. “I can never repay you for all you have done for me.” When I started to protest, she reached her hand up to quiet me. “I know you don’t want payment, I know you don’t even want a ‘thank you,’ but I need you to know something.” Ava came in close, so close I could feel her breath fanning across my neck. “Life is short. It can be taken from you in seconds. I am done living in fear. I am done being a bystander in my own life. I am just plain old done. I am telling you that to tell you this… I am ready for you, Logan Reid. I cannot promise I won’t screw up. I cannot promise I won’t try and run. But, I am counting on you not to let me go. I will hold on as tight as I can if you promise when my grip slips you’ll be strong enough to hold on for both of us.”

  Those whiskey colored eyes I loved so much were clear and bright, glassy with moisture. She stared up at me with so much love and trust it scared the hell out of me. I prayed to God I wouldn’t let her down. Now that I had her I was scared to death I was gonna lose her.

  Kiss your girl, dumbass.

  I threw my head back and laughed. Before I grabbed both sides of Ava’s neck bringing my face to hers.

  “What’s so funny?” Ava asked.

  “One day, I’ll tell you. But right now, I need to kiss my woman.”

  Before she could argue, I took her mouth. This time, it was slow and gentle. I poured every ounce of love I had into that kiss. There was not another woman out there for me. Ava Kelley was it.

  “Let’s get you inside to the boy.” I broke the kiss but let my lips linger on her mouth.

  23

  Unbroken

  Ava

  “Momma,” JJ yelled as soon as Reid opened the front door.

  His little body hit mine like a freight train, and I stumbled back. Before I could fall, Reid’s strong hand righted me, holding me in place.

  I wrapped my arms around my son and thanked God, the stars, the universe, Jacob, and anything else I could think of for keeping my son safe and getting me home to him.

  “I’m okay, baby.” I plastered a fake smile on my face.

  When my son looked up at me with his big brown eyes, eyes that were identical to mine, he had tears brimming over his lids. Guilt and shame mixed together in one swirling emotion that took hold in my belly. My poor son. He has gone through so much in his ten years.

  “I’m okay,” I repeated. “We are all gonna be okay. I promise.”

  “I was so scared,” JJ cried. The sound of my son crying was more than I could bear. I pulled him down to the floor and into my lap rocking him back and forth. “I heard it, I heard him taking you. Daddy told me not to move. I wanted to go with you, but Daddy told me not to. I’m sorry, Mama.”

  I was speechless. We sat in the entryway of the house for what seemed like an hour. Me holding JJ, and him crying into my neck. I didn’t know what to say to make this okay.

  “JJ, I want you to look at me,” I said. When JJ lifted his face out of my neck, I allowed him to see my own tears. “You did the right thing. You listened to Daddy. I needed you safe so I could worry about keeping myself safe until Reid could come and get me. If you had tried to come out of the room, Carl might have tried to hurt you. Do you understand that?”

  I stopped and waited for JJ to nod his head.

  “You did the right thing. You were brave and smart and waited for help. Momma is strong, and I knew Reid would come and get me. Do you know why I could be strong baby?” I asked.

  JJ just shook his head.

  “Because I knew you were safe and waiting for me to come home. I knew Uncle Mac had you and was protecting you until I could get back to you. I promise you, Jacob, I am okay.”

  JJ’s eyes widened, and I sucked in a breath. I don’t think JJ remembered me calling him Jacob. He was only five the
last time I used his full name.

  I know you are Ava baby. You’re gonna be just fine now.

  A chill rushed over my body, and fresh tears fell over my cheeks. Yeah, I was going to be just fine. We were going to be just fine.

  “Let’s get up off the floor and find a cushy place to cuddle,” I suggested.

  “Are you really okay, Mama? I’m not a baby anymore you can tell me the truth,” JJ asserted.

  There’s my son, quick with the ‘I’m growing up routine.’

  “I promise JJ, I am fine. Reid took me to see a doctor before we came home, even he agreed that I am okay. I have a bump on the back of my head. That’s it. Reid got to me in no time flat, kiddo.” I smiled at JJ.

  After long minutes of him studying my face, he nodded. “Uncle Mac said that Carl was a crazy son-of-a-bitch, but Reid would find you and dispose of Carl like the trash he is,” JJ announced.

  “Did he now?” My eyes cut to Mac. I was so tired, and happy to have JJ in my arms, I couldn’t summon up the energy to be annoyed.

  “Yep. He also said that now that Reid had finally pulled his head outta his own butthole…” JJ dropped his voice to a low whisper. “Uncle Mac didn’t really say butthole, he used the A-word. He would never let anything happen to you. Because you are his woman. And a man always protects his woman.”

  Both men let out a chuckle. Reid walked over to where JJ and I were sitting on the floor and reached his hand down to pull JJ up. “Come on, little man, let's get your Mama off the floor.”

  Once JJ was standing, I looked up, and I had two hands reaching down. One big strong hand that offered me security and protection. And one little boy hand that offered me the sweetest, purest love. I stared at both their hands, then their faces.

  Mine.

  I reached up and took both their hands and pulled myself to a standing position. I had to talk to Mac. Reid might have been the one to save me, but Mac kept my whole world safe so Reid could come and get me.