Chapter 18
Ihead home in a daze. Now that I’m out of there, the truth of what I found sinks in, and I know what I have to do, but I drag my feet as I stare up at our house.
Music blasts from inside, and I can hear Taylor and Lauren singing from the porch.
Their out-of-tune voices join in together, and my lips twitch despite the situation.
When I open the door, the smell of baking hits me, which lets me know Taylor had a good day. It’s the only time she bakes.
“Hey, Bex!” they both call, turning to see me.
They are covered in flour and wearing matching aprons.
Sometimes, it’s easy to forget they are sisters, with Taylor acting more like a mom, but in times like this, I remember how young she is.
“Hey, what are you making?” I ask as I sit on the sofa and lean forward, my hands wringing nervously between my parted legs.
“A cake.” Lauren giggles. “Then we are going to binge watch that new show. Taylor said I could. We figured it’s a girls’ night.”
“Sounds fun,” I say, trying to keep my tone normal, but Taylor frowns and turns off the music.
“Everything okay?” she asks as she wipes her hands and leans against the doorframe, leaving Lauren stirring their batter.
“Sure,” I reply, but it must not be convincing because she frowns, and I know I need to get this over with.
I just wanted one more minute with them.
It might be the last time I hear their laughter and I wanted to enjoy it.
I need it to get me through what will come next.
I don’t want to lose myself like I did before, but I probably will before this is over.
Last time, Taylor and Lauren saved me. They brought me back and gave me a reason to keep going.
I need this to be the same, so I need them to be safe.
“Can we talk for a minute, both of you?”
I don’t know what Taylor sees in my face, but she sits heavily. Lauren joins us, smiling before it fades as she looks between us. “What’s wrong, Bexley?” Taylor asks.
“I need you to listen, and I need you to do as I say, okay?” I begin.
“Aunt Bex, you’re freaking me out,” Lauren whispers, her big eyes filling with tears.
“I’m sorry. I just . . . I need you to understand.” I look at Taylor. “I need you to pack and head to Shelly’s at the beach, okay? You need to leave tonight and turn off your phones. Don’t turn them back on no matter what until I come for you.”
“Bexley, what’s going on? Are you in danger?” Taylor asks as Lauren starts to cry.
“I need to do something that might put you in danger,” I admit. “Go pack, please.”
“I don’t want to go!” Lauren yells as she leaps to her feet, and I stare at her sadly. “I’m sorry if I did something wrong. I’ll be better. I promise. I won’t cause any trouble.”
My heart cracks.
“Listen to me.” I grip her hips and tug her into my arms as she sniffles. “You could never do anything wrong, and even if you did, I would fix it.” I hold her tightly as I look at Taylor.
“Let us help,” she pleads, leaning forward. “Whatever is happening, Bex, let me help.”
“Taylor, listen to me. Everything I do is to keep you both safe. I need you to trust me. I can’t be who I need to be if I’m worried about you two. Please, I can’t lose you,” I say as I hold Lauren tighter.
“Is it him?” Taylor asks softly. I never told her everything that happened, but she knows enough.
“Yes.” I won’t lie to her. “It’s him. I need to finish this or we’ll never be safe. He’s the only person who could ever take our lives and home from us.”
A tear slides down her cheek as she reaches over and takes my hand, sitting straighter. “Then finish it, and you make that bastard pay.”
“I plan to,” I promise as I force a smile.
She wipes her face with her other hand, looking up through her lashes at the ceiling for a moment. “Okay then.” Slapping her thighs, she stands. “Lauren, let’s go get packed, okay? It’s road trip time.”
She whines and cuddles closer to me. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I pull her gently away from me and push her to Taylor. “Go.” I grin. “A road trip will be fun. Besides, you love Shelly and the beach.”
Lauren is still crying, but Taylor turns her away and heads upstairs, and I finally slump, burying my face in my hands. This is for the best, but it doesn’t stop the pain. They are my family, the only reason I still live.
It doesn’t take them long, Taylor sensing the urgency of the situation, and when she comes down, I have the go bag ready.
I hand it to her, and she slips it over her shoulder.
“It has enough money to start over in case something happens to me. It also has the deed to this house, passports, IDs, Lauren’s school information, and all of the favors I’m owed.
Call them in, you hear me? Get them to look after you and get out safely. ”
“Promise me, Bexley, that you are coming back,” she demands as she grips Lauren’s hand.
“I’ll meet you at the beach,” I promise, even though it might be a lie.
She nods, and I help her to the car I bought her and load it up before assisting Lauren into her seat. “I can do it myself,” she grumbles, still sniffling.
“I know you can,” I murmur. “Just let me one last time, okay?”
She nods, and I buckle her belt before grabbing her face. “Look after Taylor for me? I’m depending on you.”
“I will,” she replies seriously.
“I love you. You are the best thing to ever happen to me, kid, even when you’re a pain in the ass. No matter what happens, I’ll always be there.”
“Bexley, don’t talk like you’ll never see me again,” she begs.
“I will. I’ll help you learn to dive when I get there, okay?”
“Okay.” She nods, and I tug her into a hug before stepping back and shutting the door. As I round the car, Taylor rolls down her window, her eyes misty with tears she’s trying her best not to let fall.
“Don’t stop until you get there, understood?” I tell her.
“I know the drill. Don’t worry about us, just take care of yourself.” She grabs my hand. “You better get your ass to that beach.”
“I will. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I insist as I squeeze her hand. “Stay safe.”
“You stay safe,” she retorts. “Remember, Bexley, you’re so much stronger than anyone else. End this and find us.”
Nodding, I step back and force a smile onto my face as I wave. I haven’t warned Shelly that they are coming. She’s an ex-prostitute I helped save years ago. I don’t want to leave a trail to them, but she’ll know what to do. She’ll take care of them for me.
Their headlights splash over me, and I keep waving until they are out of sight. When they are gone, I let one tear drop, and my smile fades.
I don’t know if I’ll ever see them again, but I would do anything to keep them safe. I promised I would meet them there, so I won’t stop until I do, unless I’m dead.
I turn back to the now empty house and blow out a breath.
It’s time to get to work.
Honestly, it’s becoming way too easy to break into the Sai mansion.
Lounging back on the silk bed, I wait with my boots purposely messing up the perfect sheets before I start to wonder what terrible things Neo has done in them.
Probably nothing nastier than I have, so I watch the porn I charged to his card, opening all his fancy creams and slathering them over my hands and face.
I also stole a couple of twenties because why not?
I hear the shower cut off and get comfy. Luckily, it doesn’t take long before the door opens. Steam wafts in before he steps into the room, wearing a loosely tied blue robe with his name embroidered on it. His hair is pushed back, and his skin is still damp. He looks good enough to eat.
“Hello, Neo,” I drawl.
“Motherfucker!” he shouts, clutching his robe as he stares at me in shock.
“Wrong, I prefer fathers,” I retort. He blinks at my comment as the door flies open. Guards rush in, aiming their guns at me, followed by Zayn, who’s wearing unbuttoned suit pants.
Zayn chuckles. “You know how to make an entrance. Honestly, why do we have locked doors?” he asks as he looks at the guards. “A bit late now. Fuck off.” He kicks them out and shuts the door as he walks my way.
“How did you even get in here? Can we turn off the porn?” Neo mutters as he glances at the TV.
“It’s just getting to the good part.” I sigh as Zayn chuckles and climbs onto Neo’s bed next to me, both of us watching the TV as she reaches her big finale. “A bit fake, but it did the job.”
“I’d fuck it.” Zayn shrugs.
“Me too.” The TV shuts off, and we both turn to Neo.
“Why are you here?” he asks, his robe tied tightly now.
“Don’t feel the need to close it up on my account. I liked the show. There’s something very slutty about a man in a loose silk robe,” I tease before I become serious. “I know where your brother is.”
“Where?” they both ask.
“Well, I know who has him, and I plan to find out where he is. I just came to let you know so you don’t get in my way.” I shrug as I lift the stolen face cream. “I’m taking this, by the way.”
“Focus. Our brother,” Neo demands.
“There’s no point in telling you since you won’t get to him, but I can.” I shrug as I lean back into the bed. “This shit is really comfortable.”
“How?” Zayn asks, ignoring my other comment for once.
My expression becomes cold as I look between them. “By giving him what he wants—me.”