Page 16 of Hidden Heir

“What the fuck, Ant,” I mutter, slipping back into the hallway. The driver stands at the door and shoots me a bored look that melts into concern.

“Are you alright?” he asks.

I nod quickly. “Sorry, yes. Sorry. Let me get your money.”

“You know what, don’t worry about it.” The man waves one hand in the air. “You look like you’re having a night from hell.”

“I got it!”

“Forget about it.” With that, he turns and heads back down the steps toward his taxi. I watch him go, then shut the front door and lock it.

“What the fuck Ant?” I yell, barreling into the living room. “We have to get the fuck out of here now and you couldn’t even…”

Words fail me as I spot Ant on the couch. His eyes are hooded and a needle dangles from one limp hand.

No.

There’s no way he was shooting up while in charge of my daughter. No way he chose drugs while I was facing torture and assault to pay offhisdebt.

“You bastard!” I scream, launching myself at him. As soon as I make contact, I pound my fists against his chest. “You bastard! What the fuck are you doing?”

Ant looks at me without interest then smiles slowly. “Brooke! You’re back already?”

“You were supposed to be watching her! Caring for her!Protectingher, you selfish dick!” I scream, hitting him againand again. Ant barely registers it, and a suffocating wave of hopelessness washes over me.

Ant is no help. If anything, he’s a danger. I know I should kick him out but what the fuck am I supposed to do? He’s my brother. If I kick him out he’s as good as dead.

Sobbing, I climb off of him, wincing as Tiff’s tears reach a loud crescendo.

“You fucker,” I weep, kicking Ant’s leg.

“Sorry,” he slurs. “You don’t understand. I was scared and you were gone?—”

“I was gone because I was trying to save your pathetic ass!” I sob. “What the fuck is wrong with you, Ant? What thefuck! I can’t believe you even let me go!”

I have to get out of here somehow.

I claw at the dress, removing it from my body as quickly as I can then throw on a pair of joggers and sneakers along with a sweatshirt. I pull Ant’s pathetic ass up from the couch. I know I only have a small window of time where he’ll stay awake so I use that to drag him through the apartment and out to my car. It takes strength I didn’t know I had to get him against the car, open the door, and shove him into the passenger seat. By the time he’s buckled in, he’s out for the count but still breathing and still with a pulse.

A part of me is almost disappointed, sadly.

Panting, I head back inside and gather my screaming daughter. I grab my phone, purse, and her bag, then sprint back to the car. Nothing I can say or do will calm her down right now. I have to swallow my fears and be strong for her.

“I’m sorry baby.” I weep as I wrestle her into her car seat. Mommy loves you and she’s so sorry about all of this. I know it’s scary. Please know that Mommy loves you so much.”

She fights me as I wipe her face and kiss her forehead, and despite the instinct to do more to comfort her, I know I don’thave time. Once Tiff is secured, I climb into the car and start driving.

I have no destination in mind, and the rules of the road are an afterthought as I drive as far away from my apartment as I can.

Get away. Just get away.

It doesn’t matter where as long as it’s far away from my apartment.

Adrenaline keeps me on high alert, every nerve ending in my body firing. I keep an eye on Tiff with glances in the rearview mirror. Ant is still passed out beside me. I’m constantly checking all mirrors making sure we’re not being followed. As I’m driving, thunder explodes overhead and the skies open up.

Within minutes the windshield wipers are flying full power across the glass, but I can still barely see the road. It adds yet another layer of stress, the only upside being that I’ve become so focused on the road that my tears dry up.

I drive too fast over a pothole, causing the car to dip suddenly before bouncing and jolting violently. My heart breaks when Tiff yells for me out of fear. I wrench the steering wheel to try and realign the tires but I overcompensate and the car skids. I have no control as the wheels lose their grip on the slick roads. In half a second we go from driving normal to spinning across the road. I slam on the brakes and the car screeches to a halt as we crash hard into a telephone pole.

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