27. Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Savannah
S ince Mason’s call, Declan has been tense, and I know he’s worried about whatever they found in Derek’s hotel room.
Upon entering the station, Declan confidently walks past the counter and continues towards the back, where he is greeted by the friendly lady working there. As soon as Mason opens the door to his office, his facial expression reveals a deep sense of anger and frustration.
“Vannah, I’m so glad to see you are okay,” Mason says, giving me a side hug that feels stiff, like he doesn’t want to touch me.
There are seats placed in front of his desk that he directs us to sit in.
“Savannah, Declan, I thought we could convene in my office rather than the interrogation room given the… delicate nature of the evidence.” As he explains, he flashes me a quick look.
“Mason, spit it out. I’m tired of waiting,” snaps Declan, his patience running thin. “What the fuck did you find?”
Mason picks up a remote control and turns off the light in the room. A projector shows a video on the wall. It takes a minute for me to make sense of what we’re looking at. When I realize, my hand flies up to my mouth in shock.
“Oh my God, it’s me. He taped me.”
Mason chokes up. “Savannah, you don’t need to watch this, but had I not shown my brother, he’ll kill me.”
On the screen, I observe as Derek walks into the room with four other guys. I recognize them from his unit at the police department. “Why the hell are they in my bedroom while I’m sleeping?”
One man pulls up the covers, and Derek pulls the panties I have under my shirt off my body. “No, please don’t let this be what I think it is.”
They leave the covers pulled away from me and pull the T-shirt up around my chest, exposing my breasts. One man climbs on top of me. “Turn it off,” I scream. “Fucking turn it off.” I jump to my feet as bile rises in my throat. Rushing over to the trashcan beside Mason’s desk, I crash to my knees and vomit.
After emptying the contents of my stomach, I gaze at the screen, and watch as one man gives way to another, then another, all engaging in rough sex with me while I moan with what sounds like pleasure but remain unconscious. Hesitantly, I glance over at Declan. His wide eyes shimmer with unshed tears, and his body trembles with a sense of devastation. Gently, the tears begin to roll down his cheeks, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and heartache. I look away and vomit again. The next thing I hear is Declan screaming and breaking things.
Trembling, I crouch over the trashcan, my heart pounding, as Declan’s rampage unleashes chaos. With a violent sweep of his arm, he sends everything on Mason’s desk crashing to the floor, the sound of shattering glass and splintering wood filling the room. With tears streaming down his face, he lifts the chair, his movements slow and heavy with the weight of his grief, before crashing it into the wall.
Tears well up in Mason’s eyes as he silently surveys the broken remnants of his office, the heartbreak he feels toward his brother’s pain evident in his expression.
With a heavy heart, Mason finally beckons to his officers, who are hovering by the door. As they forcefully handcuff Declan, I catch him glancing at me with wide, crazed eyes, his face pale and drenched in sweat.
I tremble, paralyzed by the fear of what I’ve just witnessed. It feels like we are both defeated, our spirits crushed under the weight of Derek’s cruel actions. I doubt we’ll ever recover from this. We are both irreparably broken, like shattered glass, unable to piece together our fractured selves.
As the officers take Declan to a cell, for his own protection, until he calms down, Mason crouches down to address me, despair and sorrow carved on his face. “I’m so sorry to both of you. I didn’t think telling you what was on that tape would help any more than showing it to you. When you are ready to talk about it, I’ll need you to answer some questions, Savannah, so we can press charges. I’m going to sit in the cell with my brother. I can’t leave him alone like this. I’ll bring him back in when he’s calmed down.”
Being such a small town, the Magnolia Falls sheriff and police department is together in one small building. Even with Declan being in a cell down the hall I can still hear him raging.
During the tape, I had forgotten Mason was in the room and that he had probably watched the tape before we got here. My cheeks heat and I stare at the floor in shame, not able to meet Mason’s eyes. Tears continue to flow down my face, leaving damp trails on my cheeks. Derek’s actions have utterly blindsided me. How could he have stood by and watched those men lay their hands on his wife, the woman who bore his child? I knew he was a monster, but this is just depraved.
The sounds coming from down the hall, presumably where Declan’s cell is, make me feel like throwing up again, but instead I get to my feet. I follow his voice until I see Declan in a small cubicle of metal bars. Declan’s voice trembles as he cries, “I can’t unsee this, I can’t ever unsee this,” while desperately rocking in the chair the officers have forced him into. As he cries, his chest heaves with each ragged breath.
His eyes, wide with horror and rage, dart around the room, probably looking for an escape. The handcuffs dig into his wrists, leaving imprints on his skin as he futilely attempts to free himself. Mason is standing in front of his brother with his hand on his shoulder. He’s trying to comfort and calm Declan, but I’ve never seen the two brothers more devastated. Even Mason’s cheeks are wet from seeing the pain his brother is going through. Looking back at Declan, my heart breaks that he saw me in that state on the video.
The chair beneath him creaks under his restless movements, groaning in protest as he rocks back and forth. It’s as if he hopes to find refuge in the rhythmic motion, a desperate attempt to shake off images that have seared themselves into his memory.
I can’t bear to look at him or Mason, overwhelmed by self-disgust, and I can only wonder what they must be thinking. They both heard me moaning like a whore, like I enjoyed being raped by those men. It’s clear from the words that just came out of Declan’s mouth that he can’t bear to look at me anymore, without feeling physically ill. That video will forever change Declan’s perception of me. God, how foolish I feel for daring to let hope seep into my heart. It’s obvious now that I’m not the kind of woman he deserves.
The air in the room feels heavy, constricting my lungs with each breath. Beads of sweat form on my forehead, as if the walls themselves are emitting a suffocating heat. I can’t help but feel the pressure intensify as the walls inch closer, threatening to crush me. Panic rises within me, my heart pounding against my chest as I desperately search for a way out. But the room’s claustrophobic grip tightens, mocking my futile attempts at freedom.
Time seems to stretch, each passing second feeling like an eternity. The walls pulsate with an unsettling energy. In this nightmare, my mind races with a whirlwind of terrifying thoughts. Everything in my vision is distorted. I have a sudden and desperate need for a breath of fresh air.
My heart pounds in my chest as I race through the station, the sound of Mason’s shouts echoing in my ears. The urgency to escape grips me tightly. I can’t bear to meet anyone’s gaze, feeling the weight of their judgment.
Snatching Declan’s keys from the table, I bolt out of the station, desperate to put distance between myself and that horrifying scene.
As I pull out of the parking lot, the screeching tires and the crunching sound of gravel fill the air. I have to escape, to get away from here before Declan lays eyes on me again. With reckless abandon, I navigate the curvy road too fast, constantly over correcting as tears cascade down my cheeks.
I rush back to Declan’s cabin, trying to make it there before Mason can bring Declan home. Using his house key that’s on the same keychain as his truck key, I hurry inside. Grabbing a bag, I start haphazardly shoving the things that belong to Kenzi into it, deciding I’ll only take the things that belonged to her from before and nothing that Declan paid for. Only having a few pieces of clothing that Declan didn’t pay for after my house was ransacked it only takes a minute for me to pack my things. I lay Declan’s keys on the counter and grab my own. Throwing everything into the car, I rush out. I’ve got way too much baggage for a man like Declan to ever want to see me again. I’m damaged goods; I know that now.
I get to Declan’s mother’s house as quickly as I can. Running up to the door, my chest heaving, my eyes puffy, and my face red, I knock and wait. Kate opens the door, and as soon as she sees me, her face falls. Her eyebrows are clenched together. “Savannah, what’s wrong, sweetheart? You look awful.”
“I’m okay, I need to get Kenzi, Kate. We are in a hurry, so please, give me her and I will talk to you later.” Kate stands and instead of calling my daughter, she lays a hand on my shoulder.
“Savannah, where is Declan? Calm down, sweetheart.”
“Kenzi!” I yell. “Let’s go, honey. We have to get going.”
“Mama, we go? Where??”
Bending down to her level, I grab her and hug her. “It’s a surprise, Princess. Let’s go.”
Kate walks up to stop me. “Please, Savannah, I don’t know what’s happened but wait here for Declan. We can help you.”
“Declan never wants to see me again, Kate. He’s disgusted and he’ll never look at me again. I’m pretty sure he hates me. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but my daughter and I have to go somewhere else. There’s nothing left for us here now. I will send you extra money to cover the next few months’ rent, while you search for a new renter; it’ll cover the cabin cleanup costs too. I’m so sorry to leave it in the mess it’s in.”
I pick up my daughter and run out the door before Kate can try to stop me again. Knowing Declan won’t be far behind, and I don’t want to cause him any more pain by having to see me, I buckle Kenzi in and jump into my car.
The beauty of Magnolia Falls and the precious memories of Declan and his family will forever hold a special place in my heart, but it’s time to move on. Derek has found out where I am, and Declan is done with me. I should have stuck to my plan to have nothing to do with men .
Taking the winding mountain roads much slower this time, with Kenzi in the car, I drive through town. There’s only one way out of Magnolia Falls. Right past the sheriff’s department. Forcing myself not to look over at the parking lot, in case Declan is there, I continue to drive with my eyes on the road in front of me as a single tear runs down my cheek.
My chest tightens as an intense ache pierces through, confirming that my heart is indeed breaking. Declan, with his charming smile and kind eyes, is the man I dreamed of marrying, ever since I was a little girl. One that takes care of you. I’ve never had that before. Thoughts of love enter my mind, every time I think of Declan. My God, I love Declan Walker. The thoughts are so loud and clear in my mind that I don’t know how I didn’t realize it before now.
Looking in the rearview mirror, I notice Kenzi has fallen asleep, not understanding that our lives are going to change again. I wipe away the tears, trying to regain my composure, but the ache in my chest persists. I don’t think it will ever quit hurting. As the road stretches ahead, I can’t help but notice how it symbolizes my journey of moving on with my life. The revelation that I love Declan more than I’ve ever loved any man makes this even more painful.
With another glance in my rearview mirror, I spot a sleek car emerging behind me, its blinding headlights illuminating the road. The distinct markings of a sheriff’s deputy adorn its exterior. In frustration, I mutter, “Fucking Mason.” Suddenly, vibrant lights burst into action, casting an eerie glow on the surrounding area. The blaring of sirens fills the air, and an anxious knot tightens in my stomach as the realization hits me—this arrogant jerk is pulling me over.
As I pull over on the side of the road, I don’t even bother to look in the mirror, but I roll the window down, ready to tell him off. My heart races with anger, and I can feel my muscles tense, ready to confront Mason, who seems to be determined to push my buttons. The scowl on my face deepens as I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white.
No, fuck this. I’m not sitting here like I’ve done something wrong. Without hesitation, I unbuckle my seat belt and exit the car, slamming the door shut behind me. The cool breeze brushes against my flushed cheeks, but it does little to calm me, in fact, my breaths become shorter, punctuated by the rising fury within me.
As I approach the other vehicle, my eyes narrow, focusing solely on the driver who dared to provoke me. The anger within me blurs my vision, blocking out everything except for the target of my frustration. I feel my body heat, my skin prickling with a combination of rage and indignation. My voice trembles with intensity as I unleash my tirade, the words flow out like a torrential downpour.
“Dammit, Mason, who the hell do you think you are using your badge to pull me over? Now that Declan doesn’t want me anymore, are you going to become an asshole to me?”
As the words leave my lips, I can feel a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion wash over me. The release of my pent-up anger provides a temporary sense of relief, but the toll it takes on my body is exhausting. That, on top of all the trauma I’ve been through today, and I feel my shoulders begin droop and a heaviness settle over me.
In this moment, I realize that while venting my frustration may have temporarily provided relief; it is now time to face the aftermath of my actions. Mason is probably going to arrest me for talking to an officer like that.
Looking up, expecting to see Mason coming at me with handcuffs, it’s not Mason that I see. It’s Declan, and he looks livid. Has he come to tell me he’s finally had enough of me? Is he going to hurt me? No, Declan would never do that, surely.
“Don’t you fucking move,” Declan commands and takes big strides towards me. The tone of his voice lets me know he’s not playing around. I freeze, not knowing what to do .
“Declan, I have Kenzi in the car. I’m getting out of your hair, and I didn’t take one item that you bought for us. Please, just let this go.”
“What the fuck do you mean you didn’t take the things I bought?”
“I mean, I didn’t take the clothes that you bought and paid for. Based on what you saw, I understand if you want nothing to do with me. I’m sorry you thought I was a better person than I actually am. I didn’t mean to mislead you. It’s the truth that I was completely unaware of the existence of those tapes or the events that unfolded. I never lied to you. All I had were fleeting memories that I thought might have been mere dreams. I mentioned those memories to you, but it was beyond shocking to be confronted by the reality of what he did to me.”
“So, you were taking off, taking Kenzi with you?”
“Well, she is my daughter. Of course I was taking her with me.”
“You mean you were fucking taking her away from me. I’m sorry, Savannah, but I can’t allow that to happen!” As he yells, I can feel his hot breath on my face. Declan is raging. “I told you; Kenzi is mine. She’s just as much mine as she is yours. Her sperm donor might not want the responsibility, but I do.”
He looks above my head. “Mason, let us kiss our daughter goodbye before you take her home, please? ”
“I got you, Dec. When are you going to be home?” Mason inquires.
“I don’t know that yet, but we’ll be gone as long as it takes.”
He walks over to Mason, taking the now awake Kenzi into his arms.
“Deckin. Me miss you, Deckin. Luv you.”
Declan pulls her into an even tighter hug, and when she pulls back, he looks her in the eyes. “I love you too, Princess. Me and Mama are going to go on a trip, but you are going to stay with Kate and Mason, okay?”
“Yay.” She claps her little pudgy hands.
“Make sure Uncle Mason plays princess with you.” Declan grins with a look of mischief on his face. He knows exactly what Kenzi is going to do to Mason.
I hear Mason murmur, “Asshole,” as he strides over with Kenzi’s car seat, taking it towards his squad car.
“What are you doing, Mason? Give Kenzi’s car seat back. I need that.”
Declan interrupts, “No, you won’t be needing that because Mason and Mom are taking Kenzi for us. You need to kiss our daughter goodbye, Savannah.” I spear him a look, telling him I’m not doing what he says. “Now, Savannah.” His voice comes out gravelly and rumbling.
I don’t understand why, but he’s pissed off at me. Seeing the tapes I’m sure set him off, but he should be happy that I’m leaving town. To appease him, I kiss and hug Kenzi and tell her goodbye. I trust Mason and Kate with her completely, but my body trembles. I’m nervous about being alone with Declan. With no idea what he wants, I don’t know what to expect.
Once Mason and Kenzi pull off, a loud bark from Declan startles me, and I jump. “Get your ass in the car now.” I walk back to the driver’s side of my car.
“The other side, Savannah. I’m not playing games with you, little girl. Get your ass into the passenger side and don’t try anything, because I’m already on the edge.”
“You don’t get to order me about my own car, Declan.”
“Oh yes, the fuck I do.” He bends at the knees, picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder. I scream and start hitting him on the back.
As Declan smacks my ass, a sharp sensation of pain rushes through me. “Stop it, woman, before I give you a real spanking.”