My heart aches at the mere thought of her. “My mother is dead. She died when I was fourteen, killed by my father who is a deranged, murdering sicko.” Venom drips from my lips and for a second, I can’t believe I just said the truths I’ve kept locked up for so long.
Patricia doesn’t flinch. Her eyes, which have always held compassion, change, and I can tell she believes me.
“You are the first person besides Cade I’ve admitted that to. When it first happened, I tried to run away and medicate myself so I didn’t have to feel anything. Finally, I got the courage to tell someone. I reached out to one of my mom’s friends.” I stare down into the dark amber liquid, remembering that day like it was yesterday when the doorbell rang…
I hang back, knowing this is it, that there is a God. My monster of a father is going to be taken away. Hewillpay for the pain he caused my mother.
My hands are sweating and my throat is dry as I stare at the police officer’s dark uniform.Over and over, I whisper the chant, “He can’t hurt me anymore.”
“Dr. Davis?” the officer addresses my father.
“Yes?” He motions for them to enter.
Rain pelts the earth behind them as Mary Ann and the cop come inside the building that has never been my home.
“Your daughter, Isabelle, shared some very damning things with Mrs. Channing. She is saying you killed your wife.
“I’ve questioned the coroner and he’s confirmed that she died of a drug overdose and blunt force trauma when she hit the steering wheel from running into the stoplight—”
“I’m so sorry, Donald,” Mary Ann blurts out, ignoring the scowling cop as she wrings her hands. “She came to me, and I had to believe her. I mean, you understand I had to at least call the police. But now, I feel just terrible...”
Hit the steering wheel from running into the stoplight?
No!
That’s not true!
She died here!
I saw him inject her with drugs!
My father sighs and walks toward a tray he keeps with his whiskey on it on a side table, motioning for them to follow. “Mary Ann, thank you for caring for my Isabelle. To be honest, I’m terrified. It’s like she’s had a break from reality and blames me for not being there when her mother died.” He puts a hand to his lips as if he can barely talk then drops it. “My daughter is a very sick girl,” he continues. “Please, rest assured that I know what’s happening and I’ll be keeping her home and getting her the best help.”
Bile surges into my throat as I watch in horror while they both apologize again for disturbing him.
Disturbing him—the murderer of my darling mama.
No. Don’t leave me!I want to scream.You have no idea what he’s going to do to me, what he’s capable of…
But it’s too late. They’re gone.
“Isabelle?” Patricia asks softly, her kind voice making me blink at her as I bring the room back into focus.
“You have no idea what my father’s capable of,” I whisper as I feel myself grow cold. “I can’t go back to him. He’ll kill me. But before he does, he’ll make me wish I were dead.”
With a gentle nod, she moves over to a buffet. “You’d be surprised, dear. I can relate more than you think.” She opens a drawer, retrieves a Glock, and sets it on the table with our tea and scones. “See, I don’t ever leave anything to chance.
“Now, my boys are taking care of this, but I always have my gun nearby.”
It looks so alien amid the trappings of afternoon tea, but I can’t deny it provides me withsomecomfort.
After Charlie and Dolly’s baby shower, where the Russian got past security and almost managed to murder all of us, the Disciples decided the women had to learn to shoot a gun. I can hit a target fifty yards away.
That’s when my phone starts to ring, causing me to jump out of my skin, making the whole table rattle in the process. As tea sloshes everywhere, I groan. “I’m so sorry. I’m on edge and, well, you’re freakin’ amazing.” To Cade, I half scream, “Cade? What’s going on?”
“Belle…”
This is not the time to be wondering how he betrayed me but can sound so gravelly and strong and, God help me,like the man I love.