Chapter Forty Seven
Bridgette
I don’t remember how I got here; all I know is that I’m lying in a strange room, on a strange bed, having a strange doctor examine me. She gives me a sympathetic frown as she shakes her head.
“It looks like you have some tearing. I’m going to stitch you up, okay?”
“Alright,” I say as she gives me an anesthetic shot.
I wince for a moment before the numbness takes over. I told Maggie that she could be in here with me, but she insisted on waiting outside. She thinks I should be alone to process the fact that I just had all of my control taken from me; my choices violently stripped away. What she fails to realize is this wasn’t the first time, not by a long shot. And honestly, it wasn’t even the roughest he’s been. If I needed stitches now, I definitely needed them after my sixteenth birthday party.
When the doctor is finished, she writes me some prescriptions and tells me she is going to store the evidence. I don’t bother telling her it’s a waste. That my abuser will never face punishment because he’s dead. I killed him, with the help of my girlfriend, that is. The idea of it still hasn’t fully sunk in yet. He’s gone. Officially. Finally. I’m…we’re all free.
As soon as the doctor leaves, Maggie peeks her head in.
“Is it okay if I come in?”
“I already told you it was.” I sit up, pulling down my skirt, like it will provide me some modesty.
“Sky found some clothes for you. Thought you’d want to change,” she says as she hands me a sweatshirt and sweatpants.
I nod. “Tell her thank you.”
Maggie nods, setting the clothes on the bed before sitting at my feet. We both sit there in silence for several seconds, my anxiety ratcheting with each passing moment.
“I’m sorry you walked in on that. That you had to…see that.” I cringe.
Maggie frowns, disbelief in her eyes as she shakes her head.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. I’m sorry my crazy ex did this. I’m sorry…for so much,” she says, shaking her head as she covers her face with her hands.
“He hurt me long before you came along, Maggie. But because of you, it was the last time.”
She looks over to me, like she doesn’t quite believe me. Reaching out, she laces our fingers together as she shakes her head.
“You have to know I’d do anything to keep you safe. Bridgette, you’re my entire fucking world.”
My heart thumps at her words. “You’re mine.”
Maggie smiles sweetly, bringing my hand to her lips as she places a soft kiss to it.
“Do you want to take a shower? Clean up?” she offers.
“The doctor said I couldn’t get my…you know, wet.”
She nods. “That’s okay. One second.”
Maggie disappears through a set of french doors that lead to an en-suite as she begins making noise. The sounds of shuffling and running water are all I hear before Maggie comes out, running a hand through her wild hair. She stops at the side of the bed, offering me a hand as she helps me to the bathroom.
She has a stool set up against the clawfoot tub, the water running as she gestures for me to sit. When I do, she tilts my head back and begins wetting my hair. The warm water feels like being reborn. Like I’m being cleansed. I keep my eyes closed, but the crunchy dried blood in my hair begins to come loose, the faint smell of copper hitting my nose before Maggie lathers her hands with shampoo, scrubbing my head gently.
My neck is practically spaghetti as I sink into her touch. She massages my scalp in a way that has me mewling before washing it away and repeating the step. Once my hair is washed and conditioned, she takes a washcloth, wetting it with warm water before gently cleaning my face.
The tender act has me feeling so relaxed, so…at peace, at least for a little while.
When she’s done, I open my eyes, looking up at her as she wraps a towel around my head. Her sparkling green eyes meet mine as she leans down, placing a featherlight kiss against my lips.
* * *
After I get changed, Maggie and I head downstairs, where all the guys are gathered. Wesley and Ronan are cooking, Liam and Asher are talking off to the side, and Skyla is perched on Vincent’s lap.
“Is it done?” Maggie asks.
“It’s done,” Ronan confirms.
“What did you do with him?” I ask.
“Better that you not know,” Vincent says. “Offense given, it’s just that I don’t fucking trust you.”
“Vincent.” Skyla admonishes, smacking his chest.
I nod. “I haven’t given you much reason to trust me, any of you. I’m sorry,” I say, my eyes trailing through the room before pausing on Asher. “I’m really sorry.”
He stares at me impassively before giving a quick head nod.
“Thank you for coming for us, Sky,” Maggie says, linking our hands together.
She tracks the movement, a soft look touching her face as she nods.
“Always.”
“Who’s hungry?” Wesley asks, bringing over a massive platter of grilled cheese sandwiches and bowls of tomato soup.
I lift a brow at it and Ronan shrugs.
“We’re not exactly culinary stars around here, but comfort food is comfort food.”
“Speak for yourself,” Wesley argues. “Trust me. It’s the best grilled cheese you’ll ever have,” he says with a friendly smile.
I give him a tight one in return as I take a small plate, grabbing half a sandwich as Maggie grabs the other half. She leads me into the living room before encouraging me to take a seat. The others grab their food and go about what I assume is a normal day for them. Liam tries to grab three sandwiches, to which Asher smacks the back of his head. Vincent practically cuts Ronan’s hand off for taking a sandwich Skyla was reaching for before Ronan sets it on a plate for her.
The whole thing is odd. I mean, having five husbands is not anyone’s normal, but their dynamics…it’s not what I would picture it to be like. You’d think everyone would get along, be the best of friends. How can you all share one person and not be, right? At least, not without killing each other. There is also a type of familiar banter, though. An ease, like they all have to be so different to make it work.
Out of all the people in the world, I never would have thought I’d see the day that this…group would be the ones to save me, save us. If Maggie hadn’t called Skyla, I’m sure my father would have died soon like they said, but then what? Calista is off on some vacation with her friends, but she’ll be back, eventually. When she does, she’d just, what? Walk in to find her husband’s murdered corpse in his study? Mine and Maggie’s DNA all over the place? The Elders are untouchable, but just us members? The Brethren can only pay off the police so much. Blatant homicide is not an easy one to pull off.
If it wasn’t for them, Maggie and I could be rotting in a jail cell by now. I still struggle to understand why they’d do it for me, though. Then again, maybe they just did it for Maggie. Whatever the motive, I’m grateful.
Liam comes over to sit by us alongside Asher. Skyla and Vincent also join us before Ronan and Wesley finally take their seats. We all eat in silence before Liam speaks up.
“Alright, I gotta ask. Who’s pitching and who’s catching?”
“Liam!” Skyla balks.
“What? People ask me all the time. I don’t mind answering.”
“What’s your answer?” I ask.
“Why choose, Brenton.” He smirks.
A laugh slips out of me at that as Maggie flips him off.
“I’m not telling you so your pervy ass can whack off to the image of me and my girl fucking.” She scoffs.
He holds his hands up. “Hey, I’m happily married, but if babygirl wants to join in for a little throuple time with you two and I can watch, I won’t say no,” Liam says before shooting a wink to Skyla.
She rolls her eyes at him, shaking her head as Vincent yanks her into his side, like the very thought of her touching another will send him into a jealous fit of rage. Odd considering their dynamics.
“So, what are we going to do about Maryia?” Skyla asks.
“What do you mean, princess?” Asher asks.
“I mean, this is all that bitch’s fault. Bridgette was assaulted. Maggie had to fucking kill a man because of her. So, what are we going to do about her?”
Maggie shakes her head. “This isn’t your fight, Sky. I appreciate it, but I don’t want you dragged into this.”
“Bartlett, we just disposed of a body and cleaned up a crime scene for you. We’re already involved,” Ronan says.
I look at Maggie, indecision warring on her face. She nods and blows out a breath.
“We have to find her, at least talk to her. I just…I don’t want you guys to kill her.”
Surprise hits me. Why the fuck not? It’s not like she wouldn’t deserve it. Oops, there I go again, being out of pocket.
“We’ll find her, go from there. Full name?” Wesley asks, setting down his plate as he pulls out his phone.
Maggie begins giving him every scrap of information she can as his fingers fly across the keyboard. Wesley begins doing his techy stuff as Liam suggests we have a movie night. Maggie and I choose to pass, heading up to the room they set up for us before we crawl into bed. It’s only six o’clock or so, but I think we both need the rest. I can feel my body running on only fumes, and almost as soon as my head hits the pillow, I’m out.
* * *
When I wake up the next morning, the bed is empty. I frown, looking around for Maggie, but not finding her anywhere. Going in search of her, I slip out of bed and walk down the stairs. I find Maggie and Skyla making pancakes, or at least trying to, while the guys watch on in amusement.
“Morning, baby B.” Maggie smiles.
“Baby b? Aw that’s cute!” Liam says. “What do you think? Should we retire babygirl? Call you baby S?” he says to Skyla, wrapping his arms around her waist as he peppers her neck with kisses.
Skyla fake pouts as she looks at him. “But I like babygirl.”
He grins, practically shoving his entire tongue in her mouth. Their impassioned kiss turns so wild, so fast, Maggie has to dive across the island to save the plates.
“Is breakfast like this every morning?”
“Yes,” the rest of the guys answer in unison.
Liam pulls away with an exaggerated smacking sound kiss, pressing a small one to the tip of Skyla’s nose before grinning like he’s won the lottery.
“Alright! Let’s eat.”
We all dish up, scattering around the kitchen table and island. Wesley is telling us a story about him and Ronan in college when Maggie’s phone buzzes on the table. She looks down at it, face paling as she reads it.
“What is it?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. Random number. It says, ‘I know you’re there, Bridgette. You’ve been a bad girl. Daddy would be so disappointed in his special little girl. Time to face the consequences.’”
Realization hits me as another buzz comes through with an address and a time.
“That’s on the outskirts of town,” Liam says, peering over the screen. “2:10PM. That’s oddly specific.”
“What’s the number? I’ll look it up,” Wesley says.
“No need,” I say, staring at the blank wall in front of me as I speak.
“It’s Thomas. He’s back and he knows about my father.”
“Thomas who?” Skyla questions.
“Booth,” I say numbly. “He is…was my father’s best friend.”
“What does he have to do with anything?” Liam asks.
Maggie flicks her gaze to mine, seemingly asking for permission. I won’t lie; it’s kind of humiliating to admit, but I give her a shaky nod as I look away.
“He’s hurt Bridgette…a lot. When you guys came into power, he fled like the cockroach he is.”
“A lot of people did. A shift in power like that is enough to make anyone skittish,” Ronan interrupts.
Maggie nods. “Bridgette was also engaged to him, Harry’s doing.”
“That’s impossible. How could he know what happened?” Vincent questions.
“Are there cameras in the house? Something he could have hacked into?” Wesley asks.
I shake my head, shrugging my shoulders. “Not that I know of. I…I don’t know.”
“Well, one thing is for sure, you’re not fucking meeting him,” Maggie growls.
I lick my lips nervously.
“What if he has evidence, though? What if he goes to the police?”
“I’ll buy them off,” Asher says flippantly.
“What if it’s not enough?” I snap.
“I’ll just kill him,” Vincent says simply.
As if he were listening to our debate, a third text comes through, this one more ominous than the previous ones.
Unknown: If you don’t come, I guess you’ll never know what truly happened to your mother. Make sure you bring Margret as well.
I frown at that. My mother? My mother died in childbirth. There has never been a question about that. What the fuck is he talking about?
“Could be a trap,” Asher says.
“Maybe it’s not,” I say numbly, trying to make sense of the text message.
“You want to go?” Maggie asks, like she’s afraid of my answer.
“I need to,” I answer.
The room is quiet for a second before Ronan nods. “So, we need a plan.”
Yeah. We do.
* * *
My leg bounces nervously as we drive down the road. The guys let us borrow one of their cars, and Maggie follows the GPS, as it takes us further and further out of Salem. When we arrive at the address, I furrow my brows. It’s a house. A very simple, plain home. Nothing that would scream Thomas in any way.
Maggie and I share anxious looks before slipping out of the car. She reaches down, offering her hand to me, and I gladly take it, my heart pounding wildly out of my chest. When Maggie gets to the front door, she pushes it open carefully. The old wooden door creaks, echoing through what we can see is an empty house.
Dusty wood floors, peeling wallpaper, and missing light fixtures surround us. We take slow measured steps together into what looks like a formal living room when we find Thomas and?—
“Mom?” Maggie balks.
Calista greets her daughter with a wicked snake-like grin.
“Hello, Margret.”
Thomas looks down at his watch, smiling.
“2:10PM on the nose. Punctual little things you are.”
“What do you want, Thomas?” I ask stiffly.
He tsks. “Is that anyway to speak to your fiancé, darling?”
“You’re not my fiancé.”
He shrugs. “I have papers indicating otherwise.”
“Baby, I thought you said you didn’t need her anymore,” Calista pouts.
“Baby?” Maggie and I echo in disgust.
Thomas grins, his eyes moving from me to Maggie before he nods.
“I don’t think we’ve ever been truly introduced, Margret. I’m Thomas Booth, but I believe ‘Father’ is more appropriate, given our circumstances.”
My eyes widen as Maggie’s mouth practically hits the floor.
What. The. Fuck.