Page 87 of Watched

I stand frozen while he throws a punch across my father’s face and grips his shoulders where I just had, throwing the frying pan back in the cupboard and cleaning my blood from the sink.

Sirens sound in the distance as he steps in front of me. “He swung at me, and I hit him. I threw him into the window. Do you understand me?” I rigidly shake my head. “Yes, come with me.”

He grips my arm, dragging me out of the house to my mother and sisters holding one another in the driveway.

“Rain, you aren’t taking the fall for this,” I plead in a whisper.

He ignores me, stopping before the girls. “I did it,” he says gruffly, holding up his bloodied hand. “He swung first, and I hit second. That’s what you tell the police. Rome stood near the closed door. Tell me you understand.”

They all nod, tears glistening in their eyes.

“Repeat it,” he demands.

“It was you,” my mother repeats in a choked whisper. “The door was closed. You hit second.”

I look to the blue flashing lights rounding the corner toward us.

Indie holds Kilah’s hand tightly. The poor thing shakes like a leaf while the paramedic tightens the straps on her gurney.

I listened while they gave their statements. They opened the door for Mum, then our father stormed in and told them to pack. They’d refused, and he dragged them both upstairs. Kilah fought out of his hold on the last step, and he let go of Indie to hit Kilah, sending her flying down the wooden stairs.

This is my fault. I wasn’t here to protect them from him. I was too busy being selfish, having the best sex of my life.

I should’ve known he was coming.

I should’ve told Rain he needed to take me home.

I was selfish.

I was too late.

I look over my shoulder to see Rain standing with Aaron, Blade, and the same guard always accompanying Aaron, their gazes locked on the officer talking to Mum.

Aaron cleared the street when he arrived, having everyone back in their homes within minutes. Mrs Parker, being the concerned, caring woman she is, proceeded to tell the threatening presence that is Aaron Weston to go fuck himself and threatened to hit him with her cane if he didn’t let me talk to her. I assured her I was fine, that everything was being taken care of. She’s currently sitting in her rocking hair on her porch, drinking a cup of tea, eyes throwing daggers at Aaron.

Hearing a commotion of voices, I turn my head to the paramedics carrying my father’s still unconscious body out on a gurney, the flashing lights highlighting his split lip, bruising cheek, and blood-stained clothes as he’s put in the back of an ambulance.

Me. I did that.

Another of the four officers approaches Rain, pulling cuffs from his belt.

“I’ll be right back,” I say to the girls, guilt rolling through my stomach as I follow behind.

“Behind your back,” the officer instructs.

Rain’s face stays neutral, but I catch the glance he gives me as he turns, crossing his wrists behind his back.

I can’t let this happen.

Reading the guilt written on my face, Aaron stares at me.

“Rain Weston, you’re under arrest for aggravated assault,” the officer announces, the words fading against the pounding in my ears.

“Really?” Aaron cocks a brow at the older male officer. “Aggravated assault? By his statement and the rest, I’d say that’s self-defence.”

“Then he should have no problem making bail,” the officer snips back.

My thumbs rub against my fingers, hidden in the sleeves of the jumper, my split knuckle aching and throbbing as the car door opens and Rain’s put inside. I watch him relax back in the seat, staring at me with a barely noticeable smirk.