Chapter 10 Natalya
Thad is alive.
I’ve never been so relieved and horrified at the same time. The wounds. His suffering. I’ll never forgive myself for dragging him to Raven’s Crest. It’s not my fault, but I feel horrible.
The recurring thought in my head, that won’t stop, is that I’ve been obsessed with the Hillside Stalker.
His killing spree. The rumors about a cult following.
But it just seems so stupid now. I never could have imagined that my brother would become a victim of someone copying Rayford Allen or picking up where he left off. It makes me sick to think about it.
Thad doesn’t deserve any of this.
He’s not had a chance to say much because he’s on several heavy painkillers. The doctors informed us of his injuries. Thad has a broken arm, sprained ankle, and laryngeal trauma. There are so many cuts and bruises on his body that he’s going to have scars—a lot of them.
He’s being sedated for now to help promote healing and reduce the stress on his body. I hold my dad’s hand as we sit beside Thad’s hospital bed. We’ve both cried.
Now, we’re just waiting and hoping that Thad won’t have long-term effects and will fully heal. But it’s likely he’s going to need therapy after this. I can’t imagine what he’s gone through or how terrifying it must have been. He was all alone. The thought makes me want to cry. Again.
Dad’s eyes close, and he finally sleeps. If my worry has kept me up, I can’t imagine how my parents are feeling. Dad is exhausted. He needs to rest.
I slide my hand free and walk to the doorway. I need to stretch. I’ve been sitting too long. My body feels tired, but my mind is wired.
I just need a quick walk to shake this off. As I leave the room, my thoughts shift to Hayride. He’s sent me a text and a cryptic message about needing to talk. I don’t know if that’s guy-speak for “we’re breaking up” or “I can’t live without you.”
I hope it’s the second option because Thad is going to be hospitalized for a while, and I need to be here for him. More than that, I still want to see Hayride. We’re just beginning to explore this thing between us, and I don’t want that to end.
“Natalya?”
I turn around and see none other than Granny Jo from the Butter Bliss Bakery. “Hi.” What is she doing here?
Granny Jo lifts the pink box in her hands. “I’ve got a special delivery.”
Oh. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”
“Of course. Is there a place we can talk? Alone?”
That’s an odd request. “Sure. The family waiting room is empty.” I gesture to the right, where I can see through the glass windows. The blinds are open. No one is inside.
“Perfect.”
She follows me inside, and I shut the door. Granny Jo sets the pink box on the table between us as we take a seat. “How’s your brother?”
“Okay. He’s got a long road of recovery ahead of him.”
“I’m so sorry, honey. I can’t imagine how awful this has been.”
“Pretty awful,” I admit, trying not to cry. “I appreciate you coming by. It means a lot.”
“Well, it’s also partially selfish.”
“I don’t follow.”
“I’ve got something for you. A gift.” Granny Jo reaches into the giant handbag she brought with her and pulls out a rolled-up piece of parchment paper. It’s a cream color and thick.
I don’t have a clue what it is or its significance. “What is that?”
“A family tree. Yours, to be exact.”
Huh?
“Mine? The Scotts?”
“Yes, of course.” She hands it to me. “Open it.”
I slide off the purple ribbon wrapped around the paper to keep it closed and slowly unfurl it. It’s much bigger than I expected and extraordinary. The meticulous detail is mind-boggling. Generations of Scott family members fill the enormous tree, which glitters with golden leaves.
“Wow.”
“Isn’t it stunning? Serena has always been a gifted artist.”
Serena? As in, Madam Serena? “What do you mean?”
“She made this. For you, actually. That’s what her note said.”
A note? How could she write one to me before we ever met?
“I don’t get it. We don’t know one another. I just met her the day she died.” This doesn’t make any sense.
“Look at the tree, dear. It’s all there.”
I sigh as I stare at it, flattening the paper against the table in the light.
My name is at the bottom in beautiful penmanship.
To the side, Thad’s name. Above us, our parents, Hank and Devorah.
It goes up and up, branching again and again as the tree fills with names, all the way to the top, where I see the first person in the tree. Her name is Margaret Scott.
“Wow,” I repeat, because there aren’t any other words. I’m sufficiently mind-blown.
Granny Jo points to a name in the middle. Martha Scott. And another name. Serena Scott.
“She’s my ancestor.”
“Yes.”
“She knew I was coming to Raven’s Crest. That’s why she said I’ve returned. Serena kept calling me Martha.”
“She was a bit eccentric.”
“This is crazy. I’m a descendant of a Salem witch.”
“You are,” Granny Jo confirms. “And one of the most powerful lineages.”
“Powerful?”
“A discussion for another day.” She smiles. “Enjoy your gift. We’ll talk soon.”
The older woman leaves me alone in the family waiting room. I don’t know how long I sit there, studying and staring at the Scott family tree, until I hear a soft knock.
Looking up, I see Hayride. “Hi. Come inside.” I roll up the parchment as he enters and tie the ribbon around it to keep it safe and clean. As he joins me, I place it onto the pink box from Butter Bliss Bakery.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He sits in the chair next to me, reaching for my hands. “Something I want to say to you.”
“Okay.” I’m a bit nervous, but it doesn’t seem like he’s about to say something that will upset me.
Hayride looks a bit uncomfortable, but only in the sense that he’s got something on his mind and maybe doesn’t know quite how to say it. Either way, I know it’s going to be fine.
“I’m just gonna come right out and ask because I’m no good at explaining shit I feel when I’m nervous.”
Aw. How adorable.
“Tell me.”
“You’re it for me, Natalya Scott. I feel you, right here.” He pauses to tap his chest over his heart. “And I know we haven’t been together long, but it doesn’t matter. Not to me. I know that I want to be with you, only you, so I need you to end my torment and say you’ll be mine.”
I blink, processing his words. It’s not a declaration of love, but the closest to it. And do I need that? Words that aren’t backed up by meaning? No. I’ve had that.
I want to feel something deep and intimate. A bond that’s more than sex. Something more than words can ever describe.
I think I can have that with Hayride.
“Well?”
My answer is easy. I lean forward and kiss him.
When he tugs me onto his lap, I wrap my arms around his neck. I hear him pull on the cord, and the blinds close.
“Is there a lock on this door? Because I’ve never had sex in a hospital.”
Scandalous.
“Pretty sure we’ll get caught.”
“Isn’t the idea of it a turn-on?” He’s teasing me.
“I don’t know about that,” I laugh.
“Just remember, Hayrides aren’t just for fall, my gorgeous girl. They’re a special treat available year-round.”
The arrogance of this biker. He’s so damn cocky.
I love it.
“Just remember that my father is here and he’s in the room with Thad.”
Hayride groans. “There goes my erection. No need to worry now.”
I can’t help giggling.
Everything really is going to be okay. My brother isn’t missing anymore. I’ve found a guy I’m beginning to fall for. And it’s autumn, one of my favorite times of year, in a town where Halloween and all things spooky are embraced.
Raven’s Crest is a place where I can make a home instead of wandering, never finding where I feel like I fit in. And Hayride is making the transition easy.
I think I can finally let a little happiness in and embrace it.
THREE DAYS LATER
“DAD SAYS YOU’VE GOT a boyfriend.”
It’s the first thing Thad says to me as he wakes up, groaning as he moves into a comfortable position. His voice sounds froggy and raw, raspy in a way it never has before now.
I don’t draw any attention to it. “My prince charming in a town known for carnage,” I laugh, reminding him of what he said to me at the Mayfield Inn.
“Is he a good guy? Treat you right?”
“The best,” I firmly say, “and yes, he does.”
“Then I’m happy for you, Nat.”
“Thanks.” I reach for his hand and hold it, not knowing how to express how sorry I am that this happened. “Thad,” I begin, and sniffle as the sting of tears burns my nose.
“Hey,” he chokes. “Don’t start crying. I’ll never get you to stop.”
He’s not wrong. I’m trying as hard as I can to hold it together. “You’re so brave. I can’t believe you cut that rope yourself.”
“Had to,” Thad says, holding my gaze. “I needed to survive. All I could think about is you alone in Raven’s Crest and maybe getting taken next. I wasn’t gonna let that happen, Nat.”
“I had protection. Hayride took care of me. “
“I didn’t know that, but I’m glad you did.”
“Me too.”
It’s silent for a few minutes, and we just sit, absorbing all that’s happened.
“Is Rashell the one who hurt you?” I finally ask, too curious not to seek answers. “If you don’t want to talk about it, we don’t have to,” I rush on before he can reply.
“It’s okay. Yeah. So, she gave me her number, and I thought she was hot for me. Ya know? Kept flirting and talking to me. When you went into room 1307, I started walking around the thirteenth floor. I bumped into her by the staircase.”
“She’s an employee. A new hire at the hotel,” I inform him. “Did Rashell tell you that?”
“No. She kissed me and suggested we skip the rest of the tour. I almost agreed, but then I thought of you. Didn’t want you to worry. I told her no.”
Wait. “Then how and when did you leave?”
“Rashell said she’d wait but asked me to take the elevator down with her because she lost her purse and wanted to ask the front desk.
” He shivers and clenches the blanket before he releases it.
“When we stepped off the elevator, two guys were waiting. One of them hit me over the head. I woke up in a fucking barn.”
Oh, God. “Wasn’t anyone around? Any staff?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they had help.”
“Well, it’s bullshit.”
“We both agree on that. I’ll be a lot more cautious in the future.”
I hate that for him. “That sucks, Thad.”
“The whole fucking thing sucks, Nat.”
There’s a knock on the door to the room, and we both look up to see Boomer. “Mind if I come in?”
My brother nods. “Sure.”
“Heard you were awake. Thought I’d see if you were up to answering a few questions for me.”
“To be honest, I’d like to give you all the details so I can move on with my life.”
Boomer pulls out his phone. “I’m going to record this. That okay? It’s a lot faster and easier than taking notes.”
“Go for it.”
With Thad’s permission, Boomer begins. “I’d like you to tell me about Rashell first.”
“Pretty. Big blue eyes. Dark brown hair. Curvy. Her smile won me over until it twisted into something evil.”
I shiver as I listen to Thad recount the events from the moment Rashell kissed him until Hayride rescued him.
There are things that happen to us out of our control, horrible, terrifying things, and they try to steal the security, happiness, and comfort we feel in life. They tried to steal it from Thad.
But my brother is a fighter. He’s not letting that evil win.
If he can show such bravery and strength after such an ordeal, I’m going to support him every step of the way.
Boomer stops the recording after my brother finishes speaking. The air is heavy with the words he’s spoken.
Thad lifts his chin, staring into Boomer’s eyes. “Nail these motherfuckers, Sheriff. Make sure they can’t ruin any more lives.”
“That’s the plan. I’ll get back with you soon.” Boomer turns in my direction. “They’ll be dealt with, Nat. Justice is always served in our town.”
The ominous promise hangs in the air as Boomer leaves, proving that Raven’s Crest is no ordinary town. The sheriff works with the Kings of Anarchy MC. They’ll eliminate every threat. An attack on the tourists or the townspeople is an attack on the club. I heard Hayride say those words.
And nobody fucks with the Kings.