Chapter Sixteen #2
Her laughter sings through the air as I sling an arm around her shoulders and lead her in the direction of where the race is being held.
Despite the lighter moment, I can’t help but be watchful as we move through the crowded bodies. I take in each person, wondering if I’m looking into the face of our enemy.
“Alice!”
The sound of her name stops us mid-stride. Turning around, we find the nurse from the hospital pushing through the crowd toward us.
“Linda?” Alice gasps in surprise. Releasing my hand, she runs to meet the other woman, the two colliding in an embrace. “I had no idea you would be here.”
“I could say the same about you,” Linda says, breaking the hug to frame Alice’s face. “You look wonderful, honey. So happy and healthy.”
“I am. Thanks to Braxten.” The look she sends my way has pride inflating my chest.
The nurse glances over at me, her usual glare nowhere in sight. “Maybe I was wrong about you after all, Braxten Creed.”
I feel like telling her she was wrong, like so many other people in this town, but I remain silent because I don’t need her or anyone else’s approval.
“Are you here alone?” Alice asks. “You’re welcome to join us, if you are.”
“Oh, that’s sweet of you, but I’m here helping out a friend,” she says. “I’m headed over to their station now. But how about we get together sometime for coffee and catch up?”
“I’d love that.”
“Then it’s a date.” Smiling, she pulls Alice in for one final hug. “It’s so good to see you, honey.”
“You too.”
“You have my number. Give me a call and we will set something up.”
“I will.”
After a wave goodbye, Linda continues to her friend’s station while I grab Alice’s hand and hurry over to the race, knowing I am probably in big shit with my niece.
We end up making it just in the nick of time. The announcer, Peggy Dixon, is already introducing each participant. Hannah stands at the far end of the line, nervously searching the crowd for us.
Relief fills her expression the moment she spots us. Hurry! she mouths, frantically waving Alice over.
Alice releases my hand, her feet already on the move, but before she can get too far I snag her wrist, yanking her back for a quick, hard kiss.
“You got this, Wonderland.”
A sweet expression takes over her face. “Thanks.” Without wasting another second, she dashes off, taking her place next to Hannah.
Walking over to the crowded sidelines, I find my family front and center, and slide between my father and Justice.
“You doing okay, son?” my father asks, grasping my shoulder.
“Yeah, Dad. I’m good.”
Considering the day is almost over, I’m assuming the bastard won’t be making his move, at least not today. I’m not sure whether to be thankful for that or pissed off about it.
Peggy Dixon begins stating the rules while one of the organizers ties the ankles of each pair together. When he makes it to Alice and Hannah, the two of them grab hands, looking as anxious and excited as the other.
Justice doesn’t seem to fare much better. He’s so goddamn jittery next to me he looks ready to crawl out of his skin. “If these assholes know what’s good for them, they will back off and let my girl win.”
“Stop,” Ryanne laughs, giving her husband a playful elbow. “It’s just for fun.”
That may be true, but I know how much my niece wants that first place ribbon so I’m with my brother on this one. It’s also my woman’s first race and I refuse to accept anything less for her.
“The first couple to the finish line will not only win the ribbon, but also a hundred dollar gift card to the best restaurant in town.”
“Let’s gooo!” Hannah fist pumps the air as if she has already won.
It sends laughter across the crowd.
Peggy lifts the air gun above her head, signaling the countdown. “On your marks…get set…go!”
Hannah and Alice jump at the bang then leap off. They laugh hysterically, wobbling all over the place as they fight to keep pace with the others. It takes them a minute, but they eventually find their footing, their moves in sync as they keep their arms wrapped around each other to stay steady.
“That’s it, you guys,” Ryanne yells out. “Keep going!”
It’s a close race, Alice and Hannah neck and neck with another duo, contending for first place. Just beyond the halfway point the other couple falls, putting Alice and Hannah in the lead.
“Yes!” My brothers and I cheer in unison.
My father and Gwen clap their excitement while Ryanne overshadows us all, encouraging them on to the finish line.
They break through the ribbon, claiming first place. Cheers and applause erupt through the park, my family being the loudest of them all. Alice and Hannah hug in victory as the rest of the contestants filter through.
Just as they are taken up on stage to claim their prize, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I pause at the private caller flashing on the screen, something that should not be able to come through this line.
Suspicion quickly forms. “Creed,” I answer, covering my ear to smother the noise around me.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the infamous Braxten Creed.” A distorted voice fills the line, taunting the rage I have buried in my soul. “It’s been a long time.”
“How the fuck did you get this number?”
My brothers and father snap to attention, the hard edge of my voice putting them on alert.
“Let’s just say I’m a resourceful guy.” Arrogance coats his tone. “It was a great race, wasn’t it? So intense and action packed, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.”
Even though I figured as much, I hate knowing how close he is right now.
My gaze locks on Alice and Hannah before I make eye contact with Justice. He picks up on the signal and heads for the stage while my father keeps Gwen and Ryanne close.
Knox pulls out his phone, dialing Craig just as I go on the hunt.
I push through the crowded bodies, my gaze volleying back and forth as I search for anyone on a phone.
“I gotta say your niece is cute, Creed, a real go getter. I like her.”
The goad sends my fury to a dangerous level. “Mention her again and I’ll cut your fucking tongue out before I drain the blood from your body.”
“Oooh, struck a nerve,” he chuckles, the mechanical sound cackling in my ear.
“Let’s talk about Alice then, shall we? She looks so beautiful and full of life out there.
Tell me, is she still as innocent as when I gave her to you, or have you and your brothers corrupted her like you have every other whore in this town? ”
My jaw locks, teeth grinding so hard I fear they are about to crack. “We’re not talking about her either. This is between us. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Now, that’s where you’re wrong. She is just as much part of the plan as the rest of you.”
“And what plan is that?” I ask, continuing to search through the mounds of people, catching one passerby on his phone. Grabbing his shoulder, I fling him around.
“What the fuck, man?”
When I realize it’s not him, I back away and head in another direction.
“Why revenge, of course,” he states matter-of-factly. “It’s something I have waited for, for a very long time.”
“Yeah? Well, I have my own plan for vengeance so why don’t we cut the shit and save ourselves some time. You tell me where you’re hiding and I’ll come kill you because we both know that’s how this is going to end.”
Another snicker rings in my ear. “You always were the cocky one. It’s something I used to admire about you.”
“That so?”
He hums through the line.
“I would love to join you on this walk down memory lane, but since you’re too afraid to tell me who you are, I am going to have to sit this one out.”
“Afraid,” he repeats, amused. “Is that what you think?”
“Damn straight and you should be. You have no idea who you’re fucking with. If you did, you would have never waged this war.”
“Oh, trust me, I know exactly who you and your brothers are,” he assures me. “I looked a long time for you all. If it wasn’t for the little town scandal involving your family a few months back, I might not have ever found you.”
“Why wait any longer?” I come to a stop, offering myself up. “We can finish this here and now.”
“Nah, that wouldn’t be as fun, but I must say, I’m surprised you haven’t figured out the connection yet.”
I grunt. “Yeah, well, your little riddle sucked.”
“Did it? How about this:
Fallen down the rabbit hole, the queen of bleeding hearts.
Wonderland is in peril, with life set to self-destruct.
Burning barns and bludgeoned souls, death is knocking like days of the ol’. ”
The Alice in Wonderland reference proves just how close he has been watching, but it’s the mention of burning barns and bludgeoned souls that sends the organ in my chest plummeting into a sea of dread because it can only refer to one thing.
One moment.
One night
My feet become lead as realization sets in.
“You’ve made the connection, yes?” he asks at my silence.
“Maybe,” I grit, hating how thick my voice sounds.
“I think you have.”
“Why Alice?” I ask. “She has nothing to do with that fucking place or that night.”
“Isn’t that the million dollar question?”
The cryptic response has me reaching my breaking point.
“Enough with the games, motherfucker. Reveal yourself and let’s finish this.”
Heavy breathing hums through the receiver. “Find out who she is and you’ll find out who I am.”
The deafening click of the call ending leaves nothing but dead air passing back and forth in my lungs.
The haunting memories from my past trample through my mind like an angry bull. A past I had hoped I would never have to revisit. One that we all will now have to face.