Page 123 of Wildest Dreams

“Mom?” my voice is soft as I approach. Turning her head to look at me, I see the sadness that is painted over her face and my heart hurts.

“You okay?” and I don't miss the way a heavy sigh wraps around her question.

“Can you help me with something?” I ignore her question as her brows pinch, eyes searching my face.

“Sure,” she nods, pushing up from her seat and following me into the bedroom.

I shouldn't be driving,but it's fine. My casted leg is not even on the gas. I needed to get to Dixie. Hudson had text me and told me that she was on her way to The Boot. My phone screams in the cup holder of my truck. I want to ignore it, but curiosity gets the better of me. The sky is dark, the odd street lamp dim. My phone continues dancing in the middle of the truck and I finally sweep it into my hand and see Riggs' name.

“Yeah,” I groan, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

“It's Dixie.”

The way his voice rasps, breathless and urgent causes my heart to flatline in my chest. I ignore everything else, pushing the gas to the floor and driving as fast as I can, my eyes widening when I see why Riggs is calling me.

Panic claws at my throat, and I am desperate to get to her.

Desperate to know if she is okay all whilst silently praying that she is.

Nothing can happen to her.

Not my Dixie.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

DIXIE

Iam curled on Sunny's sofa feeling sorry for myself. Guilt lashes against my skin like a whip, never letting up, my skin bleeding.

Sunny hands me a warm cup of tea as I sit up, blankets wrapped around my shoulders.

“You doing okay?” she asks, rubbing the top of my arm, head tilted to the side. Her short brown hair is glossy, bright blue eyes that pop against her pale skin. She seems to have her shit together, she is slightly younger than me and I feel kind of envious of her. I shouldn't. She has worked hard and life hasn't been great to her but she never gave up.

“Not really,” I roll my lips, bringing the hot tea to my lips and softly blowing. “I am mentally exhausted, my heart aches so heavily in my chest. I hate that I left them all, but I was so terrified. The four-week mark had hit, and at least if they got there and saw that I am not there anymore then they'll come for me, and not the boys. I would have never forgiven myself if anything had happened to the Rivera boys,” I shudder at the thought. I sigh before taking a mouthful of the sweet tea and hum in appreciation. My eyes lift from my lap as I look around at Sunny's apartment. It's above her coffee shop, it's cosy. Warmcreams, sage curtains, oatmeal carpets. The layout is mainly open planned apart from the two bedrooms and bathroom. Her kitchen and lounge flow, it works. She has bookshelves lining the back wall and a small television that sits on a corner unit. Large sash windows make the small room feel that much bigger as she overlooks the quaint little town of Lovelock Bay.

“Babe,” her voice is soft, pulling me from my thoughts as she perches herself on the edge of the oak coffee table.

I blink at her a few times.

“You do realize that Lucian and Wallen have been detained?”

My eyes widen, heart jackhammering in my chest.

“What?” I barely whisper.

“They gave a fraudulent autopsy report as evidence...”

A high-pitched ring pierces through my ears, the blood rushing through my veins before it pumps loudly in my ears, slowly drowning out the ringing.

“No,” my chest rises and falls quickly.

“The judge is arranging a hearing to go through Clay's estate... and because you have Lainey...” she trails off as she slowly slips the mug from my hands and places it next to her on the coffee table before she clasps her hands over mine.

“You've won, Dixie,” she whispers, smiling from ear to ear.

“I didn't know... I...” my voice stammers and the breath catches at the back of my throat as tears prick behind my eyes.

A knock at the door has me jumping and Sunny's brows furrow as she looks at the door. Dropping my hands, she stands and I palm the tear that runs down my cheek.

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