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“It’s just me!” Bella appeared at the top of the stairs.
Ari’s knees turned to rubber.
They’d given her a key for a situation just like this. And she’d used it. She was safe.
But was Rita? The kids? Grayson?
“Did Neil show up?” Damon asked.
Bella shook her head. “It was my father.”
“What happened?” Ariana hurried to her, wrapped an arm around her, then guided her to the living room. They sat on the couch, Bella shaking.
Damon wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. “Do you need anything?”
She stared at her nails and shook her head again.
Ari turned to him. “I think she’s in shock.”
He knelt and looked into Bella’s eyes. “Do you want us to take you outside and get help from the police?”
“No! I don’t want my father knowing where I am. I’ll be fine. This is just what happens when he freaks out. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
Damon exchanged a worried look with Ariana before turning back to Bella. “You feel likethison a regular basis?”
“When he freaks out.”
“What do you mean by ‘freaks out?’”
Bella pulled some hair from her face. “When he yells, calls me names, makes threats. That sort of thing.”
“That’s normal?” Ariana asked, unable to keep the disgust from her voice.
“Yeah.” She pulled the blanket tighter around herself. “Can you see if everyone is okay across the street? I need to know they’re safe.”
“I’ll check.” Damon stood. “We didn’t see any ambulance, so I don’t think anyone is hurt.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you need anything before I go?”
“No.”
Damon squeezed Bella’s shoulder then gave Ari a quick kiss before heading outside.
Ariana turned on the TV and found a lighthearted movie for a distraction. “I know you don’t need anything, but I’m going to get you something to drink. Water, coffee?”
Bella shrugged and pulled her knees against her chest, shivering.
“How about hot chocolate? That’s always comforting.”
“Okay.”
Ariana put some milk on the stove to warm. She went to the front of the house and peeked out the blinds again. Now there was only one cruiser out there, and a small crowd had gathered. Damon stood on the sidewalk talking with Grayson. Rita and the kids were on the lawn with an officer.
They were all accounted for. Relief washed through her. Whatever had happened was over.
For now.
