Calling my dad, I'm unable to quell the tears, the heavy breathing, the constrictor tightening my throat. “I’m here, baby girl. Have you arrived?” I nod, but he can’t see me. “I need words, Scotlyn.”
“I’m here,” I hiss out.
“Good. Can I speak to Jaxson?” I’ve never heard my dad so civil before.
Staring at the stairs leading up to what I think is the apartment, I gulp. “There’s too many stairs.”
“What?” I’ve obviously confused the man.
“He lives above the barn. There are too many stairs. I need to rest.” A yawn cracks my jaw, and pain explodes along my face.
“Okay, baby girl, okay. Are you at least inside this barn, out of the elements? Easton says it’s supposed to storm tonight.”
“Mmhmm.” For the first time in days, I feel semi-safe.
“Mom’s here,” Daddy says.
“Scotlyn? Sweetheart.” Her voice cracks. “Are you alright?”
“I’m okay, Mama. Tired. Will you sing to me?” She used to do it when I was a little girl and had nightmares.
Her soothing voice filters through the speaker, singing "Hush Little Baby". It was always my favorite song. By the second verse, I’ve placed the phone next to my head as I pull the blanket up higher, and I fall asleep to the sounds of her voice, lulling me into a sense of security.
Chapter 5
Jax
I’m up before dawn again, checking my phone and calling Scotlyn. I’ve filled her voicemail by now and have sent more texts than I care to admit. I’ve contacted the theatre looking for her, but all they tell me is where to send fan mail. They won’t even say if she’s safe or not. I’ve called a friend in the Baltimore PD, but he has no more answers than I do.
As the sun begins its ascent, I know the girls will be up soon, so I get dressed and put their clothes out before going down to feed the horses. I’ve been worried sick about Scotlyn, pissed that I can’t find her, and as the rain comes down harder and the storm rages on, I'm determined to do something about it today. I can’t let this go until I find her again.
As I pull on my boots and coat, I hear Ranger kicking up a fuss due to the storm. Opening the door, I call down to him, “Calm your ass down, you–…Scotlyn?” Red hair peeks out from the blanket I keep on the bench in front of Ranger's stall.
Rushing down the rest of the stairs, I drop beside her, pulling the fabric back and sucking in a sharp breath. Bloodied, bruised, pale. She wasn’t just ignoring my calls; my girl had been fucking beaten.
“Daddy?” I hear Bellamy at the top of the stairs.
“I’m here, baby.” I don’t know which one I’m talking to, my daughter or Scotlyn.
“You found our goddess.” The twins come running down but stop as soon as they notice Scotlyn's condition. “What happened to her?” Bethy sucks in a sharp breath.
“Call Papa,” I tell them as I hand them the envelope and phone in her hand. Slipping my hands carefully under her body, I pick Scotlyn up. Her costume is tattered and torn, blood-stained, and I feel my fury build. My blood boils with rage.
“Papa’s coming,” Bellamy says as they both follow me upstairs. “Nana, too.”
“Stay right here; wait for Nana,” I say as we enter the apartment. I'm unsure what I will find once I take the blanket completely off her body, and I don't want them to see that.
Placing Scotlyn on my bed, she moans painfully but otherwise doesn’t wake up.
“Jax!” my parents call out as they climb the stairs. I hear Mom talking soothingly to the girls.
“I don’t know what the fuck happened,” I mutter when I see Dad enter the room.
“Jesus Christ,” he curses softly so the girls don’t hear him. “I’ll call for an ambulance.”
I shake my head no before he can do it. “She came all the way out here for a reason, Dad. Don’t call anyone yet.”
“Jaxson?” I turn to see Mom in the doorway, her eyes fixated on my girl lying in bed. “She was wearing that when we met her.” Which means she was taken the night of her show. I’ve spent all this time just calling and waiting to hear back from her when she was suffering.