“Y-yes,” she murmurs, nodding. “I love you, too.”
It takes everything in me to tear my body from hers. Anger consumes me from head to fucking toe. I slip out of the room and into a hallway where my brothers are waiting. The next several hours are going to be the longest goddamn ones of my entire life.
“This fucking sucks,” I snap and turn toward the exit doors. “Let’s go before I change my mind and go back in there to break that sick asshole’s neck.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Landry
I’m buzzing.
High from their touch and taste and growly voices.
If I had more time, I’d savor it. I’d sink into a chair, curl my knees up to my chest, and replay the last hour or so of bliss I had with my guys.
I don’t have time.
Dad is here and, based on his increasingly urgent pounding on the door, he’s losing it.
Sucking in a calming breath, I exhale, and then make my way to the door. Once I’ve unlocked it, I open it, unable to look him in the eyes for fear he’ll see right into my brain.
Some secrets need to stay hidden.
Some secrets belong just to me.
“What have you done?” Dad growls, grabbing on to my shoulders and shaking. “Answer me!”
I stare at his fake busted lip, refusing to make eye contact. His boxing gloves are gone, and he digs his fingers into my flesh, no doubt bruising me. The scent of liquor hangs thick in the air.
“Go find your sister and then we are leaving.” He releases me and takes a step back. “I can barely look at you.”
Good.
I hope I disgust him.
And, after tonight, I won’t have to look at him anymore, either.
Slipping out the door, I make my way back to the party on wobbly legs. Ty is sitting on a chair near where I left him while Della climbs all over him messing with him from his feathered hat to his quiver of arrows. From far away, because of her wolf costume, she looks like an overgrown puppy.
She’s having so much fun. I hate to have to ruin this night for her.
“Everything go okay?” Ty asks, studying my expression.
“He’s making us leave.” I chew on my bottom lip. “I saw them. I…I…I wish they could take me with them right now.”
Ty tickles Della and she rolls away from him before finding something else to interest her. He stands, taking my hand.
“I know, but just stick to the plan. It’ll all be over soon.” He bends down and pecks me on the cheek. “Stay strong.”
One of Dad’s security guards shows up, scowling at me. “Mr. Croft is waiting in the limo for you and your sister.”
Right.
Time to face the music.
Let the countdown begin.
* * *
Della’s hands move a mile a minute as she tells me about the friends she made, the food she ate, and how Ty isn’t a dummy like Sparrow. It warms my heart how much she enjoyed herself. I’m once again thankful for Ty and his friendship. He’s a good guy and one day he’ll make a woman—just not this woman—very happy.
Dad sits on the other side of the limo, downing mini liquor bottles one after the other. I’m hoping he’ll get shitfaced enough he’ll just pass out. I’ll deal with tomorrow when it comes, but I’d love to take a hot shower and curl up in bed, reminiscing about my seeing my guys.
As soon as we arrive at our building, I scramble out of the limo with Della. Dad remains behind. We hurry inside and make it onto the elevator, not waiting for our father. Eventually, I manage to get Della into our apartment and convinced to take off her wolf costume.
Still no Dad.
I think I dodged a bullet.
Only a few more hours…
After running Della a bath, I find her some pajamas and lay them on her bed. I want to change out of my costume, but that might mean running into Dad. I hide out in her bathroom, helping her wash her hair and get it all brushed out. Usually Sandra helps with these things. Tonight, I gladly take on the task.
I want to see Sully, Della signs after brushing her teeth.
I frown and reply back, Me too.
Sparrow is a dummy but he can beat Dad up for us. Della grins like this is the best idea she’s ever had. And Scout can make us pancakes every day forever!
Her excitement is catching. I wish I could give this happiness to her. Where every day is pancakes and silliness and chasing around Heathen.
We’ll be back with them soon, I promise her. I miss them.
She hugs me and my heart melts. Della is feisty a lot of the time, but at her core, she’s sweet and loving. This kid deserves a much better life than the one she was dealt. Dad alluded to her not being his kid, which explains a lot about his treatment toward her. I wish Mom were around to ask her who the real father is. Maybe if we knew, we’d have a chance of him helping us on our quest to escape.