Secrets of Mine (Of Mine #2)

49. Oz

49

OZ

I sink back into the armchair and take a sip of my coffee. I gotta say I don’t think I’ve ever felt more grateful for my family than I do right now.

Layla is curled up next to our mom on the couch, a small smile on her tired face. She’s resting her head on Mom’s shoulder.

Dad’s sitting on her other side, his hands curled around the fluffy socks on her feet. Layla’s wrapped up in an oversized pink Oodie and, without a trace of makeup on, she looks so much younger than I’m used to.

I run a palm over my beard. It has been a seriously long day.

The explosion at the safe house was rough. Even though River and Eli stopped just outside the front door when Jude and I called they didn’t escape unscathed. River’s wrist is broken, and Eli has second degree burns on his shoulder and neck. They were both getting treated at the hospital when we brought Layla in. Those ten minutes before we heard from either River or Freya were the longest ten minutes of my life.

Jude and I had been in chaos, trying to get hold of the SWAT team and trace Freya’s phone at the same time. Then Freya called and told us to come pick her up.

We’d found her kneeling on the pavement a few streets down, an unconscious Layla in her arms. No sign of Zach anywhere.

We’d taken Layla straight to the hospital where she’d woken up shortly after. When the doctor told us she was unharmed, in all ways, my legs gave out and I collapsed into the chair beside her bed.

Layla said she remembered the struggle in the street but after that everything was a blank. Her blood tested positive for a strong sedative so it’s likely they kept her knocked out the whole time, which to be honest, is probably a blessing.

The nurse assured us there were no signs of assault, but the photo Zach sent Freya still haunts me. No signs of assault doesn’t mean he didn’t touch her.

Physically, though, Layla was unharmed, and the doctors said the best thing for her was to go home and rest somewhere familiar.

I’ve spent every second since we walked through the front door thanking my lucky stars that she’s back home. That she’s safe. Both her and Freya are, and none of us are inclined to let either of them out of our sight anytime soon.

We’re all sitting in the living room. It’s a bit of a squeeze, but no one wants to be anywhere else.

River’s got the armchair on the other side of the coffee table and Jude, Eli, and Freya are on the floor, resting their backs against the long couch Layla and my parents are on.

An episode of some reality TV show Layla chose plays on the TV and every now and then she’ll laugh out loud. The soft sound makes my chest expand each time.

I haven’t a clue how Freya got Zach to let them go but I am forever in her debt.

My eyes drop to her. She’s looking at the TV, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. She hasn’t told us yet what happened in the limo, and we’ve all been too shaken, too relieved to press it.

I nudge her leg with my toe, and she glances up at me. “You good?” I mouth.

She smiles at me and nods.

I keep my eyes on her, not sure I believe she’s as okay as she’s saying. Freya was alone with her brother for too long. The brother she’s been having nightmares about for weeks. Before I can press the issue though, Eli waves a hand at the TV.

“Who even signs up for shit like this? No one’s going to find true love on a fucking reality show.”

My mother mock scowls. “Language, Eli.”

Layla rolls her eyes. “Relax Mom, I just got kidnapped, I think I can handle a few swear words.” She purses her lips when we all turn to look at her. “Too soon?”

Freya snorts a laugh then Layla joins in, her small frame shaking and eventually we’re all laughing. Mom kisses Layla on the top of the head, tears in her eyes but a smile on her face. “My wild girl,” she whispers.

“Also, Eli,” Freya starts, leaning forward and looking past Jude to Eli. “You’re kidding right? Because you are exactly the sort of person who would go on a show like that.”

Eli turns, cautious of the bandages covering the left side of his neck, but his mouth drops open in mock outrage. “Seriously?”

Freya’s lip twitches. “Seriously.”

“No but dude, she’s so right,” Jude says. “You’d be exactly what they’re looking for as well, all broody and cowboy-y with your Stetson pulled low.”

“Except I would never apply!”

River rubs his good hand over his mouth. “Huh, strange. I could have sworn I’d seen an application for The Bachelor on your computer when we were teenagers.”

Eli blushes a deep red and we all burst out laughing again.

“Oh my god,” Freya gasps between laughs. “Did you pose with a rose between your teeth?”

River twists his lips, mischief shining in his eyes. “I believe the photo on the application involved a cowboy hat and not much else.”

Layla squeals with laughter and Eli, if possible, goes ever redder.

“I’m going to fucking kill you, Riv.”

River just smirks and takes a sip of his drink.

Freya turns to me. “Please, pretty please can you find that photo?” she begs.

“Oz, I swear to god…” Eli says into his hands.

I chuckle and wink at Freya.

She grins back at me but her smile falls a little too fast for my liking and while everyone else keeps chatting, Freya excuses herself to go the bathroom.

I get up and kiss my sister on the cheek before following Freya upstairs.

I think it’s time we talked about what happened in the limo.