Headaches #8
I looked at Nerissa who looked broken, but I felt no pity for her. Darwin sighed, “I should not have had you in here today. Clearly, it’s too soon.” Delana laughed, “Too soon? I’m still bleeding! I want to go home!”
Darwin waved his hand, “You are free to go to your home here. You have no home outside of here now.” Delana told him, “Where I grew up with love in my life will always be my home. I will take my leave.” When Delana stood up I nearly gasped.
Where Delana had been sitting was covered in blood. Didn’t they get her care?! Delana needed to be with a doctor. Nerissa gasped, “Luke, get her to the doctor! That’s too much blood! Delana shouldn’t be bleeding that much.” Now they cared?
Delana laughed humorlessly, “Good. I hope I die and join my little boy. Then my brother will kill all of you.” Darwin was yelling out commands as she passed out. Luke caught her and hissed in fury. A doctor ran in to help.
Darwin grabbed him, “If she dies, I’ll have your head.” Since I was positive Nerissa gave her that drink at his order that would hardly be fair. I was pulled away into Caspian’s living room. I finally broke down and sobbed.
Cython ran in asking, “Odette?” I cried, “It was horrible, Cython! We have to help her. Oh god, what if she dies? It will be my fault. Why would they hurt her because they want Luke with me?” Cython pulled me into his lap and began humming a song that Sassy hummed along with him.
She was devastated like me. More hands were on me, humming the song.
I sat up asking, “Why does that calm me down?” Caspian answered, “We can be very emotional crea…” He cut himself off then corrected, “people. We need our family to balance us. You were upset about grandpa because your song longs for familial acceptance. It’s hard for us not to have that. Now, what’s going on?”
I cried, “It’s so awful there! We have to help Delana. Can we get word to her family they need to get her out? The Merrick’s won’t let her leave and now she wants to die. Actually, she might have died. Delana said her brother would kill them all, but they did it because of me. It’s all my fault!”
Caspian said, “I know Delana’s father and brothers, we will help her. The Merrick’s won’t kill her, that would be suicide.” I explained, “They forced her to have a miscarriage because they want me to have Luke’s first born child. Delana was so upset and I don’t blame her.”
I whispered, “They didn’t even get her to the doctor.
Delana was just bleeding out hoping that she could join her son.
She said he was so small. How could they do that?
My song would never treat me like that. I don’t understand how anyone could be like that.
She was so pale. If she dies it will be my fault.
They refused to let her go home.” Caspian winced.
My big brother told me, “I’ll reach out to her dad, and I have people in the Merrick camp.
I’ll text them right now that I want Delana’s status.
I wish I could tell you this will be quick and easy.
I’d like to have Delana home soon, but that might not be the case.
Luke being her song makes it complicated. Delana went with him willingly.”
I argued, “But now she wants to leave.” Caspian sighed, “He’s not going to let her. I’ll get my people to talk to her. Delana needs to play this smart to get out. She’s grieving right now, and that’s understandable. As I said, we are emotional people. We will get her out, it will just take time.”
I whispered, “What if she’s dead?” Caspian closed his eyes. Trit said, “They will do everything in their power to make sure Delana doesn’t die. They can’t withstand a war with her family and ignite one with ours. They can’t stand against us, that’s why they haven’t tried.”
I snorted, “So she’s a mob princess?” Caspian laughed. Cython said, “For what you would equate her to, yes, she is. Not like our family. We are larger, but her dad is nothing to ignore.” I asked, “Is her family your ally?”
Caspian said, “We are not enemies. Allies are not quite so clearly drawn. You are an enemy or someone we know. We are all quite separated.” I whispered, “That sounds lonely. You should have allies.” Caspian smiled, “I’ll get right on that.”
I needed to change the subject, “I had this weird stare down with my song boy’s toxic ex. She shrieked really loudly, and Sassy doesn’t like her.” Caspian laughed, “Well, she can’t take you on in a stare down or otherwise. Be wary of her.”
I snorted, “I already am. She keeps treating my song boy like he’s her personal tissue. It’s gross.” Trit hissed, “Don’t let her do that, if she tries again.” I nodded, “I’m way ahead of you, big brother.” Trit smiled.
Caspian said, “If she does try again, you could do something about it. Would you like to?” My brothers snickered. I clapped, “God, yes. Do I encase her in cement? Or go after her kneecaps with a baseball bat?” They all laughed.
Caspian chuckled, “No, hum this song.” He hummed a scary, but somehow beautiful tune. I said, “I could do that.” Caspian smirked, “You’ll scare the piss out of her.” I smirked, “Even better.” My brother tussled my hair before I was yanked back.
Caspian yelled, “Do NOT mention this to Luke’s family if they contact you. They can’t know you’re there.” I called, “Why can’t they see me?” Caspian answered, “The dark cannot see the light.” Huh? That didn’t make sense.
I woke up beside Keaton and traced my fingers around his face. My boyfriend opened his eyes. I whispered, “I love you, Key.” He frowned and pulled me close, “I love you too. What’s wrong?” I cried, “I don’t know how to explain it.”
Keaton pulled back, “I will always listen to you, no judgments.” I carefully said, “Luke has a woman that’s like what we are, but it’s so awful. I want to help her, but I can’t. It’s all my fault!” Keaton frowned, “What do you mean?”
I sniffled, “She was going to have their son, but he and his family forced her to miscarry. She might be dead now and I can’t stand it. It’s all because of this deal with my mom. They want his firstborn to come from me and….”
Keaton’s roar shook my windows. I froze, but not in fear, as my head begin to pound. I whispered, “Key.” Ken ran into the room. He got up here fast. Ken cautioned, “Keaton.” My boyfriend was taking deep breaths. I heard that pop sound again.
Now, Keith was here. My boyfriend’s twin came in and tried to pull him off the bed. Keaton snarled at him, “MINE!” Keith agreed, “We know that.” I began to hum our song against his chest which evened Keaton’s breathing out.
I asked, “Keith, how did you get here so fast?” Keith answered, “I was downstairs.” Why? I rubbed my head. Keaton asked, “What’s wrong?” I answered, “Nothing much, just a light headache.” He rubbed my shoulders.
I asked, “Are you ok, Key?” My boyfriend answered, “I’m fine. Luke is not going to touch one hair on your beautiful head.” I kissed his cheek. Keith said, “So, I actually came to go for a run with Keaton.” I asked, “Would you mind taking Tatum?” They nodded.
Keaton kissed me before he left. I got up and looked out the window. His dad, grandpa, and older brother were outside too. Frank looked up and winked at me and shot me a wave. I waved back then turned back to face Ken who had coffee. I took a mug gratefully.
Ken asked, “So, what happened?” I sighed, “Ex drama.” Ken laughed, “I’m going to need a bit more.” I bit my lip, “So, I think my ex is in the mob.” Ken said, “Sure.” Everyone here was so accepting. I sighed, “My mom seems to be in this arranged marriage era.”
Ken snorted, “This is so good already.” I caught the sarcasm then highlighted the rest for him. Ken sat down on the edge of my bed. Eventually he said, “Shit. I don’t think Keaton will be back from that run for a while. I’ll meet up with them and bring Tatum back when she gets tired.” I nodded.
I got ready and went about my day. Ken ended up being right, Keaton didn’t come back until later that night and brought Tatum with him.
So, they must have let her rest somewhere because she seemed fine.
I decided Luke and Delana talks were going to be off limit topics for quite a while.
I didn’t want to upset Keaton and clearly that was too much for him.
The weeks flew by after that. I’d actually felt better on my new pills. I didn’t know how much energy I was lacking. I kept calling the pharmacist, but they insisted nothing but the color had changed. I disagreed because I felt different and I liked it.
The rest of the weeks were surprisingly drama free. Caspian had found out Delana survived. My brother promised he was going to help her and planned to meet with her dad in April. That seemed like a really long time, but he assured me it’s how things work for them.
I was pretty sure her dad would want to know what was going on sooner, but Caspian knew their mob lingo and I didn’t. It felt like I was right though, and they should listen to the outsider on this particular topic.
Before I knew it, spring break was upon us. I took my last test and walked out of school with a smile. Keaton was already waiting in his truck. I squealed asking, “So, what’s the plan?” Keaton smiled, “We are going for a drive.”
I’d already put my bag in his car before school. To my shock, my boyfriend drove to a private airport. I asked, “What did you do?” Keaton chuckled, “I just don’t want to drive. It’s a quick flight, I promise.” I giggled and got out of the truck. This was going to be fun.