John
I heard the yell as soon as the bitch closed the door on me. She didn’t care that I threatened her; she stood in the doorway with a sultry look on her face as she eyed me like a piece of meat. Not to mention her daughters did the exact same thing. It pissed me off that they lied to me, that they acted as though they had no idea who I was looking for. I knew I had made a mistake in coming here as soon as I mentioned the store yesterday. The look on her face can only be described as sinister.
When she closed the door and let out the yell, I stopped on my way to the car and looked up. I’m not sure why I did; I glanced up just in time to see that bitch Talia grab Yoreli by her hair and yank it hard. I grit my teeth as I try to fight the urge to burst into the house and grab Yoreli and get the hell out of here. But I’m rooted to the spot as Yoreli’s eyes catch mine. I hold her gaze, letting her know that I’m here.
Talia backhands Yoreli and I watch helplessly as she falls to the floor, Talia bends down and I lose both of them from view. I know I should go in there, but I can’t. I know that Talia would cause a ruckus. I turn on my heel and go back to my car. I’ll have Zeke look further into Talia and her estate. I’m sure that he can uncover something. I doubt that bitch is on the up. Hell, she’s assaulting her step-daughter; there’s no way that she’s fucking legit.
Once I’m in my car, I make a call. “Zeke, find out everything you can about Talia Maine. I want the works. Everything you can uncover, I want to know,” I say as soon as he answers the phone.
“Yes, boss. I’m on it; it’s going to take me a couple of weeks to delve that deep,” he replies instantly.
“Thanks. Anything you find out, I want to know asap.”
“Sure, boss. What’s this woman to you?” He’s curious. I get it. I’ve never asked him to delve into anyone that wasn’t a client before.
“She’s hurt someone that means something to me,” I reply. “Let me know if you find anything.”
“Will do, boss. I’ll work it around the job. If she’s so much as getting a ticket, I’m going to know about it.”
I believe him; he’ll ensure that it’s done. “Thanks.”
Once I end the call, I call my father. I’m going to need him and Mom when I get her out of that fucking house.
“John, is everything okay?” he asks as soon as he answers the phone.
I grip the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles white with the strain. “That fucking bitch is hitting her, Dad. I saw her with my own fucking eyes. She backhanded her. It took everything I had in me to walk away.”
“Son…” Dad begins slowly. “If you had gone into th
at house, it would have made things worse. We’re going to get Yoreli; we’re going to make sure that she’s safe and when we do, we’re going to ensure that that woman will never be able to harm her again.” The anger in his voice is palpable. If that’s how he’s sounding, I’m wondering just how fucking pissed I sound.
“I have Zeke looking into Talia; he’s going to let me know when he finds anything out. I hate being in the dark, Dad, and I fucking despise leaving her with that woman for another day.”
It’s not who I am, I protect people. It’s what I’ve always done and yet, Yoreli is so fucking far out of my reach that I can’t breathe. I need her like I need air.
“I know. We’re going to get her. You’ve got mine and your mother’s support, and if you opened up to your brothers, they’d have your back. Just let us help you; you don’t need to do this on your own.”
“Dad, I’m thirty-three. She’s what? Eighteen?” It’s been over two years since I last spoke to her. She was fifteen, almost sixteen. To me, the age difference doesn’t bother me; the reaction I have to her is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. I’ve been with my fair share of women, both older and younger than me, and no one has caused a reaction from me like Yoreli has.
“Anyone has a problem with it, it’s there damn problem,” Dad grouses. “I knew Paul better than anyone. That man loved his daughter fiercely and while he may not like that you’re a lot older than her, he wouldn’t be able to deny that you’re a good man. One of the best. He’d be proud that you’d be the one to love his daughter.”
Fuck.
“I’ll talk to them. I have a feeling that once we get her out of there, that bitch isn’t going to let go of her. I’m going to need them to keep her safe when I can’t.”
“I’ll talk to your mother; she’s been worried about you. When I tell her, she’ll be relieved and want to do whatever she can to help Yoreli.”
“Thanks, Dad; I’ll be expecting her call.” He chuckles because we both know that as soon as he tells her, she’ll be calling me wanting to know everything, thinking that my dad left things out.
“Don’t worry about your brothers; they’ll want what’s best for you.”
I’m not really sure about that.
“Call me when you know more, son. I want to know as soon as you do.”
I roll my eyes at his demand but know that it’s coming from a good place. “I will. As soon as Zeke calls, I’ll let you know. I’ll call the boys over to my house and explain things to them.” It’ll be better telling them all at once rather than making individual phone calls.
“That’ll be best. That way they’ll be able to see how serious you are about her. I’ve got to go; your mother is glaring at me trying to figure out what we’re talking about.”