“Hey, Tinker… thought I lost you for a moment there…” I tell her softly as tears wet my cheeks, the room around us still in a frenzy. I brush the hair from her face, looking her over. Her skin is pale, but I see her pulse thrumming in her neck, which is all I need to confirm I’m not dreaming.
“Hmmmmm…” is all she musters.
“Look at me, baby… Open your pretty eyes for me.”
I sense her dad watching, but I don’t care.
“Sutton…” She says my name, and her eyes flutter a little before closing again.
“Found the suspects. Caught them on foot. Bringing them in now.” I hear the call over a radio as I see the blue and red lights coat the bedroom walls. I pull her close and sag with relief to the floor.
47
Charlotte
I lie in the bed, staring at the bodies next to me, scared to move in case they wake. I’ve been looking at them for about twenty minutes now. Sutton’s sitting right by my bedside and Preston is curled in his lap. They look cute together, the two of them clutching my hand.
Then I turn my head and look back at my father. He hasn’t moved the whole time I’ve been watching. Sitting on the seat across the room, head hung low, staring at the floor. I’ve heard him cry. I’ve heard him whimper. It’s like the grief of losing Mom all over again.
My foot tingles, so I wiggle my toes a little, and his head shoots up. His bloodshot eyes meet mine, and for a full minute, we just stare at each other. The silence is overwhelming.
“I thought I lost you…” His voice cracks, and a tear runs down his cheek. “Tell me I haven’t.”
I swallow, my eyes watering. My heart feels like it’s ripping in two. But he’s my dad.
“Maribel?” My words whisper across the room to him as his jaw clenches.
“With police. I can’t believe it… I can’t believe any of it.” He shakes his head, rubbing a hand down his face. The oil tycoon looks broken.
“You weren’t there for us…” I keep my features schooled, my jaw set, but my resolve is crumbling. I just want my dad back. The one who left when Mom died.
“I wasn’t a good father. You deserved better. Much better.”
I take a shaky breath, letting him continue.
“But I want to try again. I lost your mother. I can’t lose you and Preston too. I will do whatever it takes. Whatever it takes. I promise you.” I see the determination in his eyes, his love for us shining through. There’s a lot of work to be done. My trust in him is completely shattered, but I know he was dealing with his own grief demons, Maribel taking advantage of all that.
I swallow roughly and give him a small nod.
“I love you, Dad…” I can barely get out the words as he rushes to me. Scooping me up tight, holding me close, just like he used to.
“I love you too, sweetie. God, I can’t believe I almost lost you. Lost Preston… I’ll never let anyone harm you again. Ever again. You’re both my everything.” He grips me tight, and I wince a little, my muscles sore, but I hold him back just as tightly. I can’t stop the tears, and I feel my hair growing wet from where his face is buried.
“You’re awake?” Preston’s voice is groggy and Dad pulls back slightly as we both look at my brother.
“Come here, you,” I tell him, and he dives in, the three of us hugging. It feels so nice. So good to be back with our father. It won’t all be erased, and it’ll take time. But I know he loves us.
“Hey, buddy. We’re alright. We’ll be alright,” I whisper to my brother, hearing him cry.
I look over Preston’s shoulders and see Sutton sitting up, watching it all. I love you, I mouth to him, my heart full.
“I love you too, Tinker.” The sound of Sutton’s deep voice has my father pulling back, all four of us wiping our eyes.
“Tinker…” Sutton comes closer, and my dad is silent, giving us room as I turn, looking at the man who does have all my trust. “Hey, baby… How do you feel?” he croons, sitting forward as his hand comes to my face, caressing me so softly I barely feel it.
“Like I have a hangover without the fun of a party.”
“The liver metabolizes the drugs, and it takes time for the body to clear it, rehydrate, and restore normal brain function.”
