Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
KAYLA
“ W e’re not going to stay here?” I wrap my arms around myself, hoping the policeman will say yes. Even a prison cell is better than going back home.
When he shakes his head, tears sting my eyes like I’ve got glass in them, but I’ll be damned if I let them out. Can’t cry. Not here, not in front of my friends or the whole freaking police station.
“All good?” Jess whispers, leaning against my elbow.
My eyes pop open, and I sling her a grin that’s more bluster than truth.
“Yeah, totally. Just relieved we’re not getting the grand tour of a cell tonight.” My attempt at a laugh sounds like I’ve swallowed a fly more so than anything genuine, and I suppress a shudder that has nothing to do with the idea of jail.
She brushes her black curls off her forehead. “Told you guys on the way here not to worry about it. My dad’s connections are ace.” Her dad’s some big mafia hotshot, and if he pulled strings like a puppet master to get us off on nothing more than a hand slap and a fine, it hits me how high up the chain he must really be.
“Your parents have been notified,” the officer at the desk in front of us says with a sigh. “When they get here, we’ll let them sign you out.”
My heart goes off the rails, thumping out S-O-S signals, and the urge to run hits my chest.
“Which?” I manage to force the word past my trembling lips, and the officer raises a dark eyebrow at me. “Um… who’d you call? I mean, my stepdad’s pretty busy.” Like, with a bottle and a half and probably cussing up a storm when he found out I snuck out. “Maybe you should try my mom.” Even though she was going to be working late tonight. I can’t go back home. I-I can’t.
The officer frowns and squints at his notes. “I didn’t make the calls. My deputy did. You’ll have to check with him, but he’s on other calls at the moment.” He gestures behind him to a thin man at a desk, who’s practically bruised under a paperwork avalanche.
I slip away from my friends, trying to keep my panic under wraps. Yeah, they know my home life’s no fairy tale with Gary’s temper and his love affair with booze, but not the horror show specifics. I offer them a quick, strained smile and head for the deputy. At his desk, he drones on about movie plans while I cross my arms over my chest, willing him to hurry and get off the phone.
The bell over the door sounds, and my head jerks up. Instead of Gary, my mom walks in with her eyes red, and she meets my stare in something that doesn’t look like relief or happiness. Her posture tells me this isn’t a rescue mission, it’s a retrieval, and I’m about to get my ass chewed. She marches over to the deputy, glaring at him until he turns red and says ‘thanks’ to whoever he’s talking to.
“Yes, ma’am?” he asks.
“I’m here to check out my daughter.” She doesn’t even glance at me. “Kayla.”
“Mom, I’m sor?—”
“That’s enough.” She turns back to the deputy. “I assume there are papers to sign her out?”
He hands her a file, and she doesn’t even read it, just scribbles her signature on several pages, then hands him her credit card to pay the fine. I don’t ask how much cause I already feel like shit.
“All done.” He hands her back her card. After a nod, she marches over to me, and I swallow the lump pressing into my throat. She jerks my arm, pushing the car keys in my hand. “Go and wait for me in the car. I’ll be right outside. I need a cigarette.” Mom hasn’t smoked in over a year.
With my shoulders cramped from the tension, I say bye to my friends, then head to the car. A tiny, choked sound escapes me when I see Gary’s not here. But he’ll be at home. Waiting.
Outside, the moon hangs full and round overhead, with stars twinkling like nothing’s fucked up like my life. My fingers tremble and the keys jingle as I walk to the parking spot, passing three cops having a cigarette. I slide into Mom’s car, the cold leather of the passenger seat chilling the back of my legs. The thought of chucking the keys into the gutter is tempting, but it would only buy me a few minutes.
Taking deep, shaky breaths, I try to find a smidge of control and not have a breakdown right here. I roll down the window, letting the night breeze carry in the smells of city life and fast food—all of it like a slap of ‘normal’ against my face, reminding me that there’s a world that’s not chained up like I am.
From the glass doors of the police station, I can make out Casey and Jess. Both of them look concerned. I give them a feeble wave and mouth, “See ya,” since there’s no way they’d ever hear me.
A cloud darkens the moon, and it feels like Gary’s shadow is looming over me right now in the parking lot, even though he’s miles away. I start the engine to turn on the radio to get my thoughts to focus on some music rather than all the times I’ve crept around my own home, trying not to wake Gary if he’s passed out on the couch.
Mom’s heels click against the pavement like a countdown to when I have to have my mask in place, play the part she’s familiar with, and not rock the boat.
She slides into the driver’s seat and flips off the radio. Her hands grip the wheel, knuckles whiter than her purse.
“Let’s go,” she finally says, her voice devoid of warmth, like she’s ordering a coffee she doesn’t really want.
“Mom, I…” The words tangle in my throat, and I’ve no idea how to tell her that I can’t go back home. My breaths freeze in my chest, and I feel as if my heart is going to bust out of my chest, like I’m having a heart attack or something. “I-I can’t… can’t go back there… Gary’s been in my room when you’re not home.” I clench my hands on the edge of my black dress, trying to squeeze the words passed the burning lump in my throat. My stomach knots up, and I force myself not to vomit. “Gary…”
She sighs, her expression softening slightly. “I know this has been hard on you, Kayla. Gary’s moving in has been an adjustment for all of us.” Gary seemed to know how to push my mom’s buttons, as though he knew she blamed herself for Dad’s death and had some sick addiction to him.
I try again. “You don’t understand. Gary?—”
“He’s concerned about you, and after what happened tonight, I’m inclined to agree.” She takes a deep breath. “I think… we could all use a little space. It was just the two of us for so long. Having Gary there all the time is a huge adjustment. You spending a few days with Bea will do us all some good.”
A spark of hope ignites in my chest. “Aunt Bea?” The woman was older than sin and didn’t even have a TV or WiFi, but hell, I’d take it. “Sure. Um, how long?”
“A few days?”
“Okay.” I try again to explain to Mom about Gary, but she brushes me off. Right now, I’m going to enjoy the sanctuary of not having him around.
I stare out the window, not really seeing anything. Each passing mile feels like they’re taunting me, whispering, “You’re stuck, Kayla. Stuck in a trap you can’t break.”
T hree days later, there’s a knock on my Aunt Bea’s door, and my stomach is all of a sudden in my throat.
“Dear, can you grab that?” Aunt Bea calls from the laundry room.
I tell myself that maybe it’s a Mormon coming to sell me their religion, or it could be Casey, Danica, or Jess—not that they aren’t grounded like me after getting caught at the club.
I open the door, and my freaking stepdad is standing there grinning at me. My stomach drops. Whatever he says, I’m not going back with him. I’m not going to let him terrorize me or lay a fucking finger on me.
My back is rigid as I say, “What do you want?”
“Have you learned your lesson, Kayla?” he asks as if I’m a damn child and he’s the dutiful father figure.
Fuck that shit. “Nope.” I grin, forcing myself not to run.
“Still defiant, but I know how to handle you.” He winks, and the innuendo makes my stomach roll, but I’m done playing nice.
“And you’re an asshole. Does Bea or Mom know the truth?”
He chuckles and shakes his head like I just said a joke. “Oh, Kayla, always so dramatic.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. Alone. Ever. Period.” My hands ball into fists at my sides.
“Bitch.” He grabs my arm, and I scream.
Before I can scream again, his hand is on my throat. “I’m so going to enjoy breaking you, making you beg?—”
The click of a gun has Gary’s eyes widening. His mask slides back into place, and he steps away quickly.
“Sorry about that, but Kayla was mouthing off, and I let my temper get the best of me.” He gives her one of his dazzling smiles that always makes Mom swoon. “Kayla, get your stuff. We’re going home.”
“Absolutely not.” Aunt Bea doesn’t lower the shotgun. “Kayla will not be going anywhere alone with you.”
Gary’s smile fades, and his face turns beat red. “Sometimes, Omegas need to be reminded of their place. They can get a little too cocky without someone reining them in.”
“How dare you speak about my niece that way.” Aunt Bea stands tall, staring him down. “You will leave now and stay away from Kayla, or I will call the authorities.”
He hesitates, eyes darting between us.
I lift my chin, heart pounding.
Finally he steps back, hands raised in mock surrender, a smirk on his thin lips. He turns and stalks out the door.
I let out a shaky breath as it slams behind him. Aunt Bea pulls me into a fierce hug.
“You’re safe now, dear. I’ve got you.”
I blink back grateful tears, relief flooding through me. Now, I’m not facing this nightmare solo. This time, someone’s got my back, standing right here with me.
The phone rings, and I jump.
“Let me get that. It’s probably your mom coming to her senses.” Bea puts the rifle back in the closet and answers the phone.
I sit down on the couch, my legs shaking. Holy cow. I’d never seen anyone go up against an Alpha, especially not an Omega.
“Yes, this is Bea Addrell,” she answers whoever is on the phone, and I know it’s not my mom. Probably a telemarketer.
Even without Gary taking me back, just being in the same room with him makes me feel like I need a shower. I dash into the bathroom and turn on the shower, letting the warm water cleanse me. After my fingertips are more wrinkled than prunes, I turn off the shower and dry off. I pull a dark navy dress over my head that hits at my knees. Maybe I’ll ask Bea if we can go into town for dinner. A mini-celebration, so to speak.
After I dry my hair, I head into the living room to chat with my Aunt. It feels like I haven’t been so free since my stepdad showed up. She opens the front door with her face pale and instantly, my stomach knots.
“It’s Nexus.” She heaves out a breath. “They’re here to take you to the Facility.”
“What? Why?” I shake my head. “I’m not even close to going into heat.” There’d be signs, right? This has to be some joke. I burst outside, lungs heaving. Bea stares at me as though I’ve lost my mind. And maybe I have. Then she points to the driveway, and I squint, making out a black bus. Holy crap, it’s a Nexus bus parked right here, like some kind of twisted Uber ride from hell.
Fuck . Is this because of the other night? They warned us, promised they’d punish us, but this?
“Now?” I choke out, my heart pounding against my ribs.
“I’ll help you pack.”
When she heads back to the door, I step in front of her, blocking her path.
“What is it? Tell me.”
She meets my stare, and her shoulders slump. “Everyone thinks Nexus is the answer to all Omegas.”
Not going to lie. Rumors are everything from secrets that would make Illuminate look tame to girls being held against their will. What does it matter? I’m trading the devil I know for the unknown.
“I don’t want to go,” I almost squeak the words.
“You don’t have a choice. It’s not like it was when I was your age, and I met your Uncle Jeff when my car broke down.” She gives me a small smile. “But…”
I’d trade Gary for a dozen chances to get away from him.
“But there’s nothing you can do,” I finish, and she nods.
She hugs me, and I stifle a cry that I’m going to be leaving her.
“Will you warn Mom about Gary? Maybe she’ll listen to you.”
“I’ll do more than warn her.” Aunt Bea’s expression hardens, a fierce protectiveness shining through. “I’ll make sure she understands the full extent of what’s been happening. This ends now, Kayla. No more looking the other way.” Her determination is palpable, like a shield she’s ready to wield.
We head back inside, and I can’t help but feel a surge of hope. Maybe Aunt Bea’s intervention can change things, not just for me but for Mom, too.
Half an hour later, I step onto the bus with my heart feeling like it weighs a ton, and the door closes behind me with a finality that sends shivers down my spine.
I tell myself that it’s nothing and not that I’m leaving behind everything I know and speeding into a world of unknowns. Ever since that blood test flagged ‘Omega’ on my life, everything’s been leading to this.
Two enforcers are in the back, and they don’t even glance my way. Not that I expect sympathy or small talk from them. I just thought I wouldn’t be taking this ride now or alone. Are Casey, Danica, and Jess going to be punished like this, too?
The empty seats haunt me. I always thought we’d be going to Nexus together. Now, with everything that’s happened, fear that I’m trading one monster for another claws at my insides.