Page 149 of Unspoken Truths

Walking over to me, he crouches beside me, making sure to give me space.

“Well, I was not expecting that,” he says. “I made a ruckus with the Kings Society, and someone got to Barrett. Assholes. You’re not going anywhere, Rachelle. I swear on my life.”

His words loosen the knot keeping me from breathing even more, and I gasp in disbelief. No one is telling me I’m being over the top or refusing to believe my words outside of my now ex-therapist.

Choosing the wrong side feels like a bad life choice, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Barrett finds himself having significantly cut his life short.

Next time, fucking believe me.

CHAPTER28

IGNACIO

“No, my daughter doesn’t need to be taken in to be evaluated,” Dad says.

The way he fully adopted Rachelle is awe inspiring. Sometimes, blood doesn’t have a place in these things. I know it doesn’t affect my ability to date her, if she’ll ever give me the time of day.

Well, her mom may castrate me still, that all remains to be seen.

Dad is standing at the front door speaking to the police, his hand wrapped tightly in Barrett’s collar to keep him still at his feet. I don’t know how the Kings Society got their claws into him or found out that he’s her therapist, but it’s one more support thread that’s been taken from Rachelle.

I don’t know if she’ll be able to trust anyone else with her therapy.

“It’s just we received a call from the hospital stating that you’re barring them from the gates,” Officer James says uncomfortably, looking over his shoulder where the ambulance is parked on the street.

“Rachelle?” Dad asks, waiting for her to join us.

Her eyes are swollen, her fingers are twitching with stress, but she’s not having a panic attack currently. She glares at the man at my father’s feet, appearing angry now.

“Ask her any questions you need to, Officer. I’m not hiding her away, but I am going to protect her from Barrett’s thoughtless actions,” Dad says. “I will make sure he can never practice again, and will be taking legal action to strip him of every single penny he has.”

Barrett pales, shaking his head. “See! He’s threatening me,” he complains.

“You told me I was making things up,” Rachelle rasps. “Gaslighting isn’t something that was on my bingo card today, Barrett. I trusted you with my care. I am not suicidal, nor am I a danger to anyone else.”

“Those are the questions I would ask,” Officer James says, deflating slightly. “I take it you’ve had these asked before?”

“I have had some mental health concerns in the past,” she says icily. “I called Barrett to discuss some things, but it didn’t have anything to do with the questions you’d ask. I have a right to speak to my therapist as needed.”

“Of course, Miss,” the officer says, nodding.

Dad has a lot of officers in his pocket financially, and the rest step carefully around him. None of them want to get on his shit list.

“Barrett makes me feel unsafe, as he is threatening me with something he knows scares me,” Rachelle says, shuddering. “This is insider information he received as my therapist. I need him out of my home.”

My heart soars as she claims this home as hers. I know Dad has been discussing leaving with her. Even if I haven’t heard any conversations surrounding it, I know my father and it’s what I would do.

“You heard her,” Dad says. “I don’t care where you dump him, as long as he’s out of my home.”

“I’ll get him booked as being a risk to a minor,” Officer James decides. “It’s a broad enough term that he’ll be at the jail until a judge has time for him. I’ll also block his calls out.”

“That’s against the law!” Barrett yells as the officer forces him to stand, shoving his face into the door frame as he cuffs his hands behind back tightly.

“I’ll worry about that,” the officer mutters. “I’ll tell the ambulance there’s no reason for them to remain here as well. All I see is a very upset young woman who’s been betrayed by her therapist. I hope you have a better night, Miss.”

“Thank you,” Rachelle whispers as the officer pulls away Barrett.

The therapist fights him the entire way, earning himself a punch in the face by the officer. He also slams Barrett’s face into the side of the door for good measure before shoving him inside.

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