Chapter 29
Cole
After I embarrassed myself with my best impression of a cow, Philomena had the rest of the group join in; only Lacey was too far gone to the giggles to take anything else seriously.
We had a list for what to include in her baby bag and a promise to come back next week.
Emmy, Hayleigh and Daisy met up with her afterwards, treating her to a girls' lunch date.
Which is perfect because I have something I need to do.
Walking to my car, I notice five hulking figures lurking around it. I look at the sky, shaking my head. I can never get rid of these fuckers. “What do you knuckleheads want?”
Archie feigns insult. “What do you mean, dear brother? We wanted to know if you wanted to come for lunch with us.”
I scoot around them, not making eye contact. There’s no way I’m being derailed. “Can’t. Busy,” I clip.
Ethan grabs hold of my arm, stopping me in my tracks. “Not a chance, brother. What’s going on?”
I slump against my car and hang my head. “I’m fed up with looking over my shoulder, fed up with Lacey getting worked up and worried that something is going to happen. So before it does, I’m going to get in there first.”
Rafe shakes his head. “You’re a fucking idiot. You’re supposed to be the smart one.”
He punches my arm, and I not so subtly rub the spot. Fucker punches hard.
“Cole, you can’t go after him. You’re doing it the right way by going the legal way. Anything you do now is going to jeopardise your case against him.” Cas glares at me, and deep down, I know he’s right.
My shoulders slump. “Fuck! I’m so fucking fed up with all this shit.”
“Come on, let’s go eat our weight in steaks and potatoes. Well, not Rafe. Apparently, he’s on a diet and it’s making him testy!” Nate moves out of the way just in time, as Rafe swings his arm, hitting thin air.
“Fuck off, man bun.”
Sheesh, he is testy.
“I need to nip to Lacey’s apartment and get the last of the boxes first, then we can go.” They all stop and stare at me as if I’m lying. “Fuck sake. I’m telling the truth. You can all follow me and help.” Cas jumps into my car, and the rest split up between Ethan’s and Nate’s.
We trudge up the stairs and notice the door to her apartment is ajar. I look back at my brothers and slightly shake my head, a sickening feeling curling into my stomach. Rafe shoulders his way to the front and pushes the door open with a bang.
Something smashes across Rafe’s head. He staggers sideways as none other than fucking Ted walks into the view of the doorway.
He turns, his shallow eyes getting wider by the minute as he takes in the five of us.
His jaw slackens, and his eyes dart between us and finally to the stairs. There is no way he’s getting through.
Shouts from the bottom of the stairs draw our attention, but that’s all the opening he needs before he peels past us and jumps down the stairs, his leg buckling underneath him. We watch, brows creased and shaking our heads, as he gets up and limps off.
“What the fuck was that all about?” Archie looks at me, and I shrug. Then a groan reminds us that Rafe had something bashed over his head, and we rush forward. Only we all rush forward at the same time and become stuck in the doorway.
I finally squeeze through and walk over to where Rafe is. “What did he hit you with? Are you bleeding?” I try to grab hold of his arm to move it, but he swats me away.
“Cole, fuck off. I’m fine, been hit harder than that more than once; I’m used to it.” He must realise what he just said because his eyes widen and he looks away.
“What do you mean you’re used to getting hit that hard?” I wait, but nothing. “Rafe. Explain yourself. Now!”
His shoulders slump. “I…” He blows out a breath. “I fight. For money. And fun.”
“I fucking knew it! I knew that was blood on your jacket when I was doing the washing!” Ethan storms over to Rafe. “Do you realise how fucking dangerous that is? What’s Mum…” He doesn’t get to finish that sentence.
Rafe darts up and gets right in his face. “Don’t you fucking dare tell Mum. I mean it or I’ll tell her who…” Ethan shoves his hands over Rafe’s mouth and glares at him before nodding.
While those two bicker, I take a look around the apartment, and dread sinks into my gut as the reality of what just happened crashes over me.
He was here, in her fucking space where he doesn’t belong and where we shared each other this morning.
Bile churns and burns in my throat before I swallow it down.
“What do you think he was doing, Cole?” Cas sidles up behind me, and I shake my head.
“He seemed out of his mind, like he was on something. He looked desperate.” I muse.
Nate walks over to Lacey’s bedroom and throws the door open before swearing, “Fucking prick.”
We follow him, only to see that her room has been completely trashed.
. The walls have been spray-painted black, the words ‘USED WHORE’ sprawled across the back wall.
What hurts the most is the ripped-to-pieces plush aubergine – the one I won for us – discarded in the middle of the room, the stench of piss wafting in the air.
“I can’t leave her apartment like this. The landlord won’t give her the deposit back. While she doesn’t need the money, this was hers. I don’t want her to know about this.” I hang my head.
“You, Cas and Nate go and meet the girls and make sure they’re okay. Rafe, Archie and I will get the apartment cleaned up and the rest of her stuff out of here after we call the police.” My brothers surround me for a hug, and once again, I am thankful they’re all a bunch of busy bodies.
**********
I drive us over to where the girls are having lunch, and as I park up, I see them through the window, heads thrown back in silent laughter.
“She’s going to hate herself if I tell her what happened.” I don’t want to, but something inside of me insists that I shouldn’t keep this from her.
“You’ve got to let her make her own mind up about this, Cole, no matter how much you want to protect her. If you cage her, she’s going to break free.” Nate trails off. I make a mental note to check up on him; the longing in his voice is clear.
“Cas, has Vik come back to you yet?” I ask, but he shakes his head, his eyes showing how sorry he is that he can’t help.
“What a mess. All because one person is selfish enough to ruin another's life.” Cas says as he looks around the room.
I get out of the car, and my brothers follow.
Lacey spots me through the window, and her eyes light up. This is what it’s all about—her and my Peanut, the loves of my life.
I’m looking right at her and smile, but her face morphs. She isn’t happy anymore. Pure horror is etched all over her face. Time slows as her hands fly to her mouth. I swear tears form in her eyes.
I blink, and the world speeds up again.
Then I hear it.
My brothers’ shouts. The car horns all around us are all beeping—the revving of an engine.
My head turns to the right, but it’s too late. Pain radiates through my leg as the bumper smashes into it. I’m thrown over the bonnet, and my head smashes into the glass, cracking it.
Funny how glass looks like spiderwebs.
Time speeds up once more, and I roll down the back of the car before landing with a thud on the road.
I try to move…But I can’t.
Why can’t I move?
Then she’s here. My beautiful Lacey. My best friend. My everything.
She looks so sad. I try to tell her not to be unhappy, I’m okay, but the words don’t come out.
I want to tell her she’s made me the happiest man of all time, but I can’t move my lips. I try to convey all of that into my eyes, but I feel myself slipping.
I squeeze my eyes shut; there's so much noise, yet it’s muted. I can’t make out what they’re saying.
All I know is I’m ready to be a dad. I’m ready to love them forever.
Why is it going dark?
I can’t see anymore. I hear my name.
Cole…Cole…stay with me…I love you.
I love you, too, Lacey.
I love you, Peanut…