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“She said…” I opened my eyes, zoning in on my father. “All the time. That the first time he’d hit her, he swore he wouldn’t do it ever again.”
Dad nodded. “But he did.” It was a statement, not a question. “Do you think the brother knows?”
Hope built in my chest at Dad’s words. He believed me. I could see it shining in his eyes. “I don’t know. I…I don’t think so. The way she spoke about her brother doesn’t equate to him knowing.”
“So her husband played Ace too,” Dad tutted. “Ace ain’t gonna like that when he finds out.”
Romeo spun around, his normally expressionless face full of rage. “The fuck? You’re believing this?”
“Son,” Dad started, placing his hand on his shoulder. “I only met the girl in passing once, but even I could see the darkness and pain living inside her. That doesn’t come from just anywhere.” He paused, his attention moving to me. “Your brother needs us, Romeo.”
Silence hung in the air, everyone’s emotions high, until Romeo turned back to face me and asked in a calm tone, “Is she really worth everything that will come our way? We’re going against direct orders.”
I didn’t hesitate. “As worth it as Bailey was to you.” I let that hang in the air, knowing what we’d done and what we’d risked to save Bailey. “I love her, big bro. I love her but I let her down. She’s in danger.” I didn’t want to think about the reality of what she was most probably trapped in, because as soon as my mind went there, I couldn’t do anything else, the rage taking over and turning me into a bull that could only see red.
“We’ll find her,” Dad said, stepping forward.
“The three of us,” Romeo tacked on to the end, moving closer and bringing Bailey with him. I chanced a quick look at her, seeing the sorrow in her eyes. The veil had been lifted, and now she could see clearly, just like I could.
So I pulled my cell out, clicked on Peyton’s name, and shot off a message to her:
Rafael
I’m coming to find you. And as soon as I have you in my arms again, I’m never letting you go.
I hit the send button, and just as I did, I realized that this number was the burner cell that I’d given her. Her usual cell was… I stepped forward, opened the microwave, and there it was, sitting in the middle, exactly where Remy had told me to put it.
“This is the first clue,” I announced, holding it in the air.
I prayed that it would hold the information we needed, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up, not yet, not until I knew her exact location and I was on my way to save her.
* * *
PEYTON
I prodded at the fresh cut on my lip, the bright purple bruise next to it fading into the old brown bruise that was displayed on my cheek, courtesy of Travis’s fist. Every part of me wished it would go back to how it was in those first two days, where I used my silence as a weapon and felt like I held at least one card. But now…now I knew I didn’t hold any.
Travis was in charge. He said when I could leave the bedroom. He told me when I could eat. When I could drink. When I could use the bathroom. When I could shower. He was commanding every aspect of my life, controlling it all. And I was helpless but to let him.
I wasn’t stupid enough not to know it was wrong, that I was in danger. But what was I supposed to do? There was no way out, not unless I left my kids behind. And the thought of them being left to Travis…I shivered. There was no way I was going to let that happen. And besides, I’d witnessed him arming all of the doors and the windows. So even if I wanted to attempt to escape, he’d catch me in seconds.
He wasn’t going to risk that though, not after I’d run in the middle of the night the first time to flee him. He’d gotten wiser and I…I’d lost all of my fight. I’d lost all sense of purpose.
So for now, I’d accept the beatings. I’d accept his rules. I’d play stupid for him. Then when the time was right, I’d be able to get my sons back, and then I could…I could what? Escape? Run away just for him to find us again. Only the second time would be so much worse, worse than it already was.
I was trapped—wewere trapped—with no way out. And I…I was going to die at his hands. He was going to make sure he’d be the one to steal my last breath from me. I knew it deep down in my very soul, and now it just felt like a waiting game, counting down the days, hours, minutes, until he finally lost himself to his rage and went too far.
All the help I was sure I would have was gone. My husband had played every single person he came into contact with, but then, that was what a master manipulator did.
“She’s not good,” I heard him murmur. My eyes widened, my attention focused on what was happening in the bedroom. I hadn’t been able to shut the bathroom door on the account of Travis ripping it off its hinges in a rage two days ago. So it meant I could hear him as clear as day. “She’s getting worse, Ace.”
Worse? I shook my head, rage bubbling up inside me. I’d get in trouble for what I was about to do, but that was my brother on the other end of the line which also meant…
My eyes widened, all of the dark thoughts circulating my brain making way for just one: the boys were on the other end of the phone. “Can I talk to him?” I blurted out.
Travis spun around, his muscles tense as he stared me down, his gaze hitting off every single bruise that he’d given me. At this point, being able to see a patch of skin that wasn’t in a state of repair was unlikely.
He blinked, his jaw ticcing. “I’m busy,” he grunted. “Why don’t you go and take a nap?” He pointed at the bed to emphasize his point, but I wasn’t going to let this drop. It had been nearly two weeks since I’d spoken to my boys. Fourteen days since I held them in my arms. I was desperate.
