Chapter 26 #2
The car’s windows and windshield have been thoroughly smashed, the supple black leather upholstery has been shredded, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Spray painted in red, garishly written along the side of the car is the word “WHORE”.
And splayed out on the hood is the worst thing of all, a dead white cat is nailed down to the hood, splayed out and cruelly mutilated.
A cat that looks eerily similar to Indy.
I stare transfixed at the gruesome scene, and a numbness sweeps through my entire being.
But I’m thankful for the emptiness, because it shields me from the panic and despair that has become all too familiar these past few months.
Through the quiet, I can think. I know I need to get help, so I reach into my pocket and dial Don.
He answers on the second ring, his deep voice pushing some of the numbness back, leaving me vulnerable.
“Hey baby, did you need something?”
Keeping my voice as calm as possible, and trying as best I can to mute our bond, I ask for him to text me Brent’s number. I know he senses the turmoil circulating in our mate bond, I can’t completely shut it down.
“What’s wrong, Kinley?”
”Um, there is something wrong with his car, and I need to ask him a question. So can you please send me his number.”
”Shit, Kinley, what car did you take?”
”The BMW, now can I get his number?”
I hear him chuckle, and mutter something about the m6 finally getting out of the garage, but he lets me know he will send it. Murmuring that I love him, I quickly end the call before I lose all restraint I have on my emotions. As soon as the text comes through, I call Brent.
”Well, hello, princess, what can I do for you?”
My breath wavers, and my throat closes in on itself as I try to form the words. Hearing my choked response gets him dropping all traces of humor. “Kinley, what’s wrong?”
”Brent…I-I need…” I can’t form the words, as I continue to stare at the horrifying scene, praying no one else comes up to witness this.
“Where are you, Kinley?”
”G-g-grocery store.”
Brent curses, “Which car Kinley?”
“B-b-bmmm-w.”
”Fuck! I’m on my way. Are you hurt?”
I so badly want to answer him, but I can’t find the words, and it isn’t until I hear his snarl over the phone that I’m spurned into responding. “No…just the cat.”
“What cat, Kinley?”
I zone out, helpless to bring my eyes away from staring into those dead sightless eyes of the poor creature, I can’t get it out of my mind that it could be Indy. As if in a trance I say. “We need to bury it; it didn’t deserve this.”
I hear Brent respond, but his words don’t register. I have to bring that innocent being some semblance of peace; there is something in me urging me to lay it to rest. I’m about to set the phone down, when I pick up on Don’s name being mentioned. “What?”
“Goddess, Kinley, does Don know?”
”Does Don know?” My voice is so monotone.
”Yes, princess, does Don know where you are? What has happened?”
His words are confusing me.
”I’m not sure. Brent, I need to take care of the cat, no one needs to see it like this.”
My voice trails off as I focus back on the gory scene on the hood of the car. The pooling blood contrasts brightly against the black paint of the car, and I can’t seem to make myself look away.
“Shit, Kinley, you better not hang up the phone.”
Setting the phone down on the shopping cart, I walk up to the once beautiful car, and reach out to try and gently remove the small body.
Quietly murmuring to myself that I need to help it, I carefully work to remove each nail.
So focused on my task, I’m completely oblivious to the high pitched wails of a police siren.
Only when strong, gentle hands grip my shoulders does my focus shift.
The beginnings of a snarl quickly die in my throat when no sense of additional threat comes from the figure holding me.
Cradling the lifeless cat in my arms, I turn around to face the owner of the hands that is touching me so gently.
“Aw shit” a deep voice exclaims as they take in the sight of what I’m cradling, blood covering my hands and arms. A deep voice I recognize.
Through the haze of pain and fury, my mind begins to register that Aiden is standing in front of me, gently holding onto my shoulders.
I stare deep into his eyes, letting him see the emotions that swirl in mine.
“I couldn’t leave it like that. How could they? What gives them the right to do this?”
Too many emotions cross Aiden’s face, and I don’t even attempt to decipher them. “When does it stop, Aiden?”
“I don’t know, Kinley; I really don’t know.”
Looking down at the frail creature I’m cradling, I whisper sadly. “Can you help me?
“Yes, hun, I can.”
Gently, he leads me to the back of his work issued car. Popping the trunk, he takes out a blanket and carefully takes the cat out of my arms, wrapping it up before placing it in the backseat.
“Kinley, why don’t you have a seat in my car, and I’ll get you cleaned up a little, ok?”
”Ok.”
My voice is an aching whisper that I almost don’t even recognize.
With medical grade disinfectant wipes, he gently cleans off the blood on my hands and arms. He doesn’t break the silence between us, and for that, I’m grateful.
He is almost finished when quick, heavy footsteps sound behind him.
My beast, who prowls in the back of my mind, instantly knows who it is, the scent and the cadence of their steps a dead give away.
Brent walks into my line of sight followed quickly by Don.
They both stare down at me and all I can do is stare back.
No words come to me; I just stare, taking in their tense postures and the rage that threatens to boil out of them.
My mate and my friend, both my protectors, but they couldn’t protect me from this.
I wish I knew what to say. I’m so tired of feeling like this. I hate feeling scared, angry, and numb.
Don is the first to talk. “Is she hurt, Aiden?” They can smell the blood that still remains on me.
“No, it’s not her blood,” Aiden reassures him.
My eyes continue to look from Don to Brent. I have to say something. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I manage to croak out,“I’m sorry; it was selfish of me. I should have never left the house.”
My lip quivers, and I look directly at Brent next.
“I shouldn’t have taken your car. I’m so sorry, Brent.”
His face is unreadable. He doesn’t speak, he just stares back, looking me over thoroughly to reassure himself that I’m not physically hurt.
I wait for him to speak, but after a moment he nods his head, as if accepting my words, and then walks off in the direction of his car.
His reaction makes me sick, and I can’t help but think that I deserve this treatment from him.
Forgiveness might be too much to ask for.
Seeing that exchange, Don attempts to go after Brent, but Aiden pulls him to the side.
I can’t hear what they are saying, and I don’t even try.
My heart is so heavy, so I do the only thing I can do at that moment, because I can’t keep feeling like a complete failure.
I lean my head back on the headrest and close my eyes.
Shutting out the world for just a moment, so I can try and put some of the pieces back together.
Camden arrives at some point, and all four of them stand in front of Aiden’s car blocking my view. I’m not sure how long I close my eyes for, but some of the haze lifts from my mind.
Any curious onlookers are quickly shooed away. It’s a crime scene after all.
I notice that someone has collected the groceries from the cart I abandoned.
I also vaguely wonder if someone grabbed my phone.
A tow truck arrives at some point, and the operator gets busy loading up the BMW.
The four powerful men continue to look on.
Don’s hand is clasped to Brent’s shoulder.
Aiden and Camden rest on the hood of the car I currently sit in.
I feel so far away from them, so helpless and alone. I don’t belong here. They are good men. I keep bringing them into my messes. My mind continues to spiral down, down into a dark sad place, but I don’t resist, even as my beast snarls at me.
I’m so stupid. They are trying to keep me safe, and what do I do…steal a ridiculously expensive car and joy ride around. I need to get out of here, go back where it is safe and never leave. Then maybe no one else will get hurt because of me. I’m such a shitty mate, such a shitty person.
As if he hears that last bit, Don whirls around, staring at me through the windshield. My eyes refuse to meet his, I can only take in his heaving chest. I don’t even know if I’m blocking him or not. For all I know, I’m blasting my thoughts and emotions at him.
I’m just too ashamed, and I don’t know how to stop myself. I need help, but do I even deserve it?
A gentle whisper caresses my mind, but I push it away.
Fuck…I’m fucking this all up.
My eyes meet his for the briefest moment, just long enough to see the pained look that crosses his face. But then the pain melts away and he turns to speak to Aiden, who gets up off the car and walks around to the driver’s side.
Oh god. Oh god, no, Please don’t let him turn away from me.
My panicked words suddenly stop as I feel him, my mate, push past the block I put up in my mind. His stern, deep voice soothing some of the panic.
That’s enough, Kinley, I can’t let you berate yourself anymore. This is not your fault, none of this is your fucking fault. Aiden is going to take you home to Brent’s and we will all meet you there once we are through here. I love you so damned much, Kinley, do you hear me?
Yes .
I see him nod, and for the first time since he arrived, I truly let myself see him fully. I see his strength, I see his desire to protect me, even from myself. He is truly everything I need.
Aiden getting into the car breaks our eye contact.
Aiden looks me over before he quickly starts the car and drives us away from that scene of hate and despair.
The silence is almost deafening, but I endure it because it’s what I need.
Because deep in that silence, I find the answers spoken to me in a calm and assertive voice.
I open myself up to it. I don’t question why it speaks to me, I just listen to the words that give me what I desperately need.
It pries open that inner strength that I yearn for and the knowledge to accomplish what I must do next.