Chapter Eight.
Falcon
I was barely holding on. Myka had recited the whole nasty, bloody story in a monotone. It had to be hurting her, but she kept going. Damn, that was brave, and that wasn’t something I’d credited her with. Then Myka shocked me further and held Cate’s eyes.
“This time, Elianna, stop Dawson from escaping justice. What happened before was a total shitshow, and the sheriff rightfully deserved to lose his job. Don’t fail Jayes,” Myka said desperately.
“The former sheriff was in the Beauregards’ pocket, as everyone is aware. Myka, I’m not.”
“Good. I don’t want to keep returning here. It’s no fun,” Myka murmured. She winced, and I pressed the pain relief button into her hand.
“Press that and it will help.”
“No, I’d rather be alert in case Dawson breaches hospital security,” Myka refused.
“Myka, I’ll assign a deputy to the door,” Cates said.
“No. Your department is stretched as it is,” Myka replied.
“Hey, I’ll have two prospects here in thirty minutes. They’ll not let anyone in,” I announced and walked away. I quickly explained to Calamity what I needed, and he assured me there’d be someone there within half an hour.
“…Elianna, I want the book thrown at them,” Myka was saying when I returned. “They’re going to come for me. I couldn’t defend myself when I was fit. I don’t stand a chance now.”
“Myka, you can’t back out,” Cates stated.
“I didn’t last time. Your office failed me. And if Dawson had waited a week, I’d have been gone. I’d planned to leave,” Myka said quietly.
Cates reared back, surprised. “Myka, you were leaving?”
“I’ve suffered six years with Dawson. Anyone sane would want to run. I discovered people who help those like me.”
Cates cocked her head, and Myka shut her mouth.
“You’re not telling me?” Cates asked.
“No. Because I’ll need them to get Jayes safe.”
“Myka, I swear The Beauregards will go down,” Cates promised.
“Those three? Yes, but what about the remainder of their fuckin’ psychotic family? Elianna, you and I are both aware they’ll come for me. I want to be somewhere secure when they do.” There was real fear on Myka’s face. “I don’t want Jayes growing up to be like them.”
“How will I contact you?” Cates asked.
“You can’t, that I know of. These people might let me check in once a month. That’s something to discuss with them,” Myka said.
I felt a kick in my gut when I realised Myka was still planning on running. Unthinkingly, I turned quickly, and Myka flinched back, unable to control her reaction. Slowly, I held my hands in the air so that she saw them.
“Sorry, it’s instinct,” Myka murmured.
“It’s fine. You have other options than the rescue team,” I used, for lack of a better phrase, to call the Parks. I wouldn’t out them. Cates probably was aware of them, but I wouldn’t risk their security.
“No, I don’t. They’re it for Jayes and me,” Myka said with a little steel. She closed her eyes. “I’m tired.”
Cates and I exchanged worried glances. Myka needed to stay and fight, but I heard the fear in her voice and saw it on her face. People could not control terror. And Myka had suffered enough. But the pang in my chest screamed that Myka leaving was a mistake.
I headed to the clubhouse still riled from the confrontation with Skye and also pissed at what Myka had told me.
Cates had left her to rest, and my conversation with Myka had been postponed as she swiftly fell asleep.
My phone pinged, and I glanced down as I entered and paused.
Steel stood on a platform holding two gold and two silver medals.
That fucker! Those should have been mine.
The following few photos showed Nova, four golds and a silver. A smile crossed my lips as the next one was a video. Nova was absolutely kicking the shit out of Sue-Ellen. I only remembered her faintly, but I recognised Nova’s iron control. Nova thoroughly outclassed Sue-Ellen.
‘There’s a story here.’ Steel sent with the message.
Yeah, there was. That cunt had broken my twin’s heart.
Steel forwarded several other videos, and my smile brightened.
In every event, Nova destroyed her. Nova had fought her in submission holds that hadn’t even lasted a minute.
For ground fighting, Nova controlled it clearly, and in hand-to-hand combat, the bitch was outmanoeuvred each time.
And in the weapon display, it was obvious who was more skilled.
Nova’s final medal would have been for best competitor of the tournament. If I hadn’t known what she’d done to Nova, I would have felt sorry for her. Steel sent another text.
‘They were bragging this twat up as Nova’s main competition. I’ve told the ref they all need drug testing.’
I laughed. Trust Steel to say something like that.
‘How is she?’
‘Kicking ass and taking names.’ Steel replied instantly.
‘Any idea who the asshole is?’
‘No. But I beat the crap out of everyone just in case it was him.’ Steel said with a wink.
‘Keep digging, brother. I want a name, and Nova won’t give me one.’
‘Everyone’s pretty tight-lipped, but I’ve noticed some animosity towards Nova. There’s more than just getting her heartbroken here.’
‘Dig,’ I ordered.
While I was part of the community, I split my time between the swimming world. I recognised people in Nova’s world, but Steel had more contacts. He would find out what happened.
I entered the clubhouse and was grabbed by Rosie. “Jayes is waiting for you. We’ve kept him distracted, but he’s missed you.”
“Thanks, Rosie,” I replied and headed for the corner. Jayes sat quietly and smiled uncertainly as I approached.
“Hey, little man. Did you have fun painting?”
“Yes, I made several pictures. Miss Penny said I could keep them for Mommy.”
“Yup. Are they drying?”
Jayes nodded and leaned forward. “Can I have some water, please?”
“Yeah, haven’t you had one?”
Jayes shook his head, and guilt kicked in. “Why not, dude?” Before he could answer, I shouted at Matteo. “Hey prospect, get a drink and snack for Jayes.”
Matteo changed direction and headed to the kitchen.
“How long am I staying here, Mr Falcon?” Jayes asked.
“Falcon, Jayes, drop the mister. Until your mom is better. She wasn’t well, and she’s in hospital healing now. She’ll be out soon. It won’t be long until you can see her.”
“Is Daddy coming home?” Jayes whispered.
I wanted to say no. But I’d no clue if Myka was strong enough to refuse Dawson. Although after what he and his brothers put her through, if Myka took him back, she was a fool. She had support around her; she just had to utilise it.
“Hey!” Matteo said, placing a plate and cup in front of Jayes. Thank God for prospects! Matteo had saved me an awkward answer.
“Calamity is opening the pool for the kids later this evening if Jayes wants to join them,” Matteo suggested.
“Fancy swimming, Jayes?” I asked.
“I don’t know how.”
“Then I guess it’s going to be your first lesson!” I teased, and Jayes bit thoughtfully into a sandwich.
Sadie shrieked as she flew through the air and into the pool.
Ghost laughed as she surfaced, spluttering, and headed back for the side of the pool immediately.
Because of my shoulder, I couldn’t throw the older kids about, but I was in the water messing with Jayes.
We were in the shallow end, and Jayes had already picked up how to float.
I’d removed his soft cast, as being in water wouldn’t harm his ankle. He was now learning the front crawl. We’d been in the pool an hour, and Calamity, Hunter, Klutz, and Texas had hauled out the grills and had burgers, ribs, kebabs, and sausages cooking.
I grinned. This made me happy. This was what being in a club meant.
I chuckled as Malachi argued with his mother, and Rosie bounced a ball on his head in retaliation.
Malachi shouted for Calamity, who told him to respect his mom.
Rosie sat back down, looking smug. Unlike the Rage Hellions, there wasn’t a clear line in the sand between Legacy and Princess.
Calamity and I had made it very plain that wouldn’t be tolerated here.
No, instead, Satan’s Spawn—yeah, that name had stuck—worked together to get revenge on school kids that pissed them off.
Daisy led Harper, Shannon, Isla, and Sadie, as they were all in the same age group.
Nathan, Gregory and Faelea had declared themselves too old for shenanigans.
Which was a load of crap; I knew the three of them had targeted a teacher they didn’t like recently.
They’d saran-wrapped her car and coated it with honey.
Below Sadie was Lilah, now six, and the others fell between Lilah’s age and Nathaniel, who was just a few weeks old. But yeah, I could imagine it when they got old enough to cause chaos. And as much as I wanted to bitch about it, I also yearned for it.
“Falcon,” Savage muttered, and I turned my head. Damn! Jayes was sticking close to the edge of the pool, but, fuck me, he was flying. His arms were perfectly coordinated, and he was swimming like a fish. He reached the other side, and I swapped a glance with Savage.
“He’s got skill,” Savage murmured.
Jayes turned to me with a triumphant smile. An hour ago, Jayes hadn’t been able to swim.
“Yeah. That’s talent,” I muttered. And it was—raw and powerful, and it needed nurturing. Jayes was finally laughing and acting like a normal child. He splashed the water in glee, and I beckoned him to return. His strokes were messy and choppy, but he certainly was shifting through the water.
“Look, Falcon! I’m doing it.”
“Keep going, Jayes!” I encouraged.
Jayes stopped next to me. His confidence was amazing. Most kids freaked out, but Jayes clearly was at home.
“Well done!” several of my brothers called, and Jayes turned shy.
“Take the praise, kiddo, you earned it,” I said, and Jayes beamed at me. Christ, had only Myka ever praised him?