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No messages.
It’s not like Gabriel is required to text me. I’m sure he’s busy at Mason’s. Still, something’s not right. Unease prickles betweenmy shoulder blades. I call the cheap phone Gabriel left with Nate.
He answers, sounding drowsy. “’Lo?”
“How are you feeling?” I’m a little too chipper. Ugh.
“I’m fine.” I hear a sleepy eye-roll in his voice.
I remind him to take his medicine. “With a full glass of water.”
“All right, all right,” he grumbles. It’s lighthearted. I think he likes being taken care of. And I like taking care of him.
It’s sweet. I’ve never imagined myself as a mother, much less a mother of a teenager with a rough past. But that’s what I feel like right now. I’m part of a family. Gabriel said he wanted this, and I do, too.
It feels real already. It doesn’t matter that it’s basically been one day.
A black SUV pulls up to the curb, and I’m instantly on alert. It’s Sunday, and it’s late. Even if I had opened the store today, I would have been closed hours and hours ago.
Lydia climbs stiffly out of the car. She crosses the sidewalk with her head down and her shoulders curved. I run to the door, unlock it, and put my arms around her. “What’s wrong?”
There are tears in her eyes. On her cheeks. “It’s Catherine.”
I don’t bother to tell Lydia that it’s okay. It’s obviously not. “What happened?”
“Dad locked her up. He came home so angry last night. He took her into his office and yelled and yelled, and then…”
I know what she’s going to say. “Oh, Lyd.”
“He caned her.” Lydia lifts her chin. “And after that, he locked her in her bedroom and swore that he wouldn’t let her out. She’s only allowed to have bread and water until she agrees to marry Jacob Chambers.”
Christ. Jacob? He’s not the villain I thought he might be, but he’s too old for Catherine. Too worldly. And even if he wasn’t, she shouldn’t be forced to marryanyone.
It wasn’t even two days ago that I kissed Jacob Chambers in front of our father. He kissedme. Helickedme. It was beyond fucked up, and I’m overwhelmed with guilt.
I left my family, and I left my father, but he always held the trump card.
He’s always had my sisters.
It was easier to think I might be forced during the initiation, that I might die there, than it was to imagine my sisters in the same position. I can’t let him keep hurting them. And I can’t let Catherine face this alone.
“Stay right here.”
I sprint back inside and dial Gabriel’s number. I just need to hear his voice. He’ll know how we can tackle this together. Wehaveto do this together. That’s what we decided last night, and I’m not letting anything separate us.
He doesn’t answer.
I text him.
Elise: SOS. 9-1-1. I need to talk to you.
I haven’t heard from him all day. It’s strange that he isn’t picking up. He’s having an important talk with his brothers, but it’s been hours. Tears run down Lydia’s cheeks, and I don’t know what to do.
I can’t go home. My father might lock me in a room with Catherine, and that won’t help anyone.
Still, I can’t wait around and do nothing.
I call Charlotte.
