AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I keep my attention on Charley. His breathing is shallow, the rise of his chest barely noticeable. "He's breathing but barely."
I look over my shoulder to see Jake, Gabriel, and Logan barreling across the yard, heading toward us. All the blood drains from their faces when they arrive and take in Charley's condition and the bloody note stabbed to his chest.
TIME'S UP.
22
EMBER
The entire clubhouse is in complete chaos. The commotion and gunfire woke everyone.
"Keep the kids upstairs!" Logan shouts, sending a few women scrambling to keep the children from witnessing anything. So much blood is coming from the stab wounds in Charley's chest.
"He needs a hospital now," Emerson warns, her voice filled with urgency. "This is not something I can patch up here."
"Oh god, let him be okay," Lisa sobs as she watches Doc and Emerson fuss over Charley.
"Goddamit," Jake hisses. "Blake, Gabriel, help get him loaded. Logan, you ride out with us. I want you at my back. The rest of you stay behind."
With the orders doled out, the guys haul Charley off the floor, carry him out of the clubhouse, and place him in the back of the van. Everything happens fast. The next thing I know, Blake, Jake, Logan, and Gabriel peel through the compound gate. Bella walks up beside me, worry etched across her face.
23
BELLAMY
"I can't believe this is happening," I hear Bella say to Ember. They don't see me behind them, and before they notice I'm here, I turn on my heel and run up the stairs, brushing past Sofia.
"Bellamy, are you okay?"
I dodge the hand that reaches for me and ignore her question. Because I'm not okay. Nothing is okay and hasn't been since I showed up in Polson. Every terrible thing happening is my fault. First, Ember and her sister were kidnapped. Now that sweet old man Charley might die. There is only one way to stop Boner and my uncle Hellhound. I have to go back. I feel sick to my stomach at the thought of going back to California.
When I reach my room, I slam the door and lock it. I can't let anyone know what I'm about to do. I rush over to the bedside table to retrieve a notebook and pen. On a piece of paper, I write.
Blake, I'm sorry for everything. I shouldn't have come here. I didn't mean for all this to happen. I just wanted to be with my brother. I hope you don't regret meeting me because I could never regret meeting you. I love you, and I'm so happy you are my brother. I'm sorry Ember and Scarlett were hurt. Please tell everyone I'm sorry about their friend, Charley. I hope he will be okay. I promise to make things better. I know what I have to do. Please don't be mad.
Love always, your sister.
Bellamy.
I rip the sheet from the notebook, fold it and place it on my pillow, then dig my book bag out from under the bed. I stuff a few articles of clothing inside, along with my medicine. Zipping the bag, I put it over my shoulders and then slip on my shoes. Walking over to the window, I shove it open. I poke my head out and look to make sure no one is around. Luckily my bedroom is on the back side of the compound, and the back deck that extends the length of the building is partially covered by roofing, which is right beneath the window. "You can do this. You have to do this." I psych myself up and slip out of the window, slowly sliding my body down the side of the house, not letting go of the window ledge until my toes touch a solid surface. I step softly to the edge of the metal roof and carefully lower myself to the ground. Tucking my body along the edge of the brick wall, I make my way toward the driveway of the clubhouse until the gate comes into view. I spot Grey on his phone, walking away from the entrance. I use the distraction to my advantage and make a run for it. The gate is closed, but I notice a gap between the bottom of the metal barrier and the ground. Dropping to my knees, I remove my bag and toss it over. Next, I lie flat on my belly and shimmy underneath the gate. Standing, I snatch my bag and run. It won't be long before someone notices I'm gone. I have no plan other than to distance myself from the clubhouse.
24
EMBER
I walk into the kitchen to find Lisa, Emerson, Lelani, Bella, and Alba sitting at the table. Grace, Sofia, Raine, and Mila are elsewhere, trying to calm the kids. Bella has the phone to her ear, a pained look on her face. "Okay," she whispers. "Let me know when you hear something." She hangs up.
"What did Logan say?" Mila asks.
"They just got to the hospital, and Charley is with the doctors now."
Sofia walks into the kitchen and heads to the refrigerator.
"Have any of you seen Bellamy?" I ask, my stomach still in knots from all the tension in the air.
"I thought she was with the other women helping care for the kids." Bella looks at me with concern.
I shake my head. "I just came from there."
