Page 24 of Blackout: Book Two

Riggs had mentioned it to Wolf at the arraignment, but I don’t think he did anything about it. They all left him to rot like a fucking animal.

My thoughts are interrupted as Nico bustles down the stairs with his gun drawn.

“Fuck,” he growls when his eyes landed on me. “Are you okay?”

Tears spill from my eyes as I shake my head. I’m not okay and not because some dirtbag vandalized my house while me and my brother were asleep. Something is wrong with Blackie. I can feel it in my veins, in my heart and deep inside my gut.

Nico takes Danny into his arms and holds out his hand for me to take. We make our way upstairs and as soon as we reach the landing, my brother scrambles free from Nico’s arms and runs to my father.

“It’s okay, bud, Daddy’s got you,” he soothes, turning his eyes to me.

I don’t make an attempt to hide my fear. For the first time in a long time, I don’t want to wear a mask. I want him to look at me and see what this was doing to me. I want him to know if something happens to my husband, I will never forgive him.

Never.

“We’re out of here,” my father declares. “Go upstairs with Wolf and pack some clothes for yourself and Danny. While you’re up there, pack me something for Reina too.”

“Reina?” Wolf questions. “We’re springing her out of the hospital?”

“I’m not leaving her in the hospital where anyone can get to her,” he volleys.

Funny, he didn’t have a problem sending my husband to a place where anyone could get to him.

“What about the memory shit and all that?” Nico asks from beside me. Realizing he’s holding my hand I glance down and wonder when that happened.

“She’s gonna have to do her healing in the comforts of her own fucking home until things are safe,” my father answers as I snatch my hand free from Nico’s.

“Daddy don’t leave,” Danny begs.

“I promise I won’t be gone long,” he says, setting him on his feet. Anger rolls through me as he tousles my brother’s hair like everything is fine…like he wasn’t just traumatized again. “I’m just going to get your mommy and bring her home,” he continues before turning to Nico and ordering him to take Danny out to the truck. Nico doesn’t move, though. He remains glued to my side.

“Come, Lacey, show me where the suitcases are, and we’ll get your stuff,” Wolf coaxes but I don’t move. I watch as he and my father exchange a look. It’s one I’ve seen passed between my father and husband a thousand times. It’s the look they get when the shit is about to hit the fan and they don’t know what the fuck to do about it.

“No,” I defy. “Not until one of you tell me if my husband is okay.”

Again, Wolf looks towards my father but when he doesn’t reply, he takes the opportunity to inform me no one has heard from Blackie. I decide in that moment that I’ve remained quiet for too long. If it’s not my father, it’s my husband calling the shots. Everyone has a say but me. Well, I’m done. My husband may have given up on us, but I won’t give up on him. I took vows and while our love may be damaged beyond repair, he will always be my baby’s father and I will always fight for him.

“These people came into our home while I was asleep. They could’ve killed me, but they didn’t. They left me and Danny alone. They didn’t want us,” I tell them.

“We don’t know what they want,” my father replies, dismissively. “Now, go pack those bags.”

“Fuck that,” I shout. “I wasn’t born yesterday. What if they’re after him?”

My father isn’t used to me having a voice, and he shows it by clenching his jaw and balling his fists angrily. Heaven forbid someone calls him on his shit.

“Nico, take Danny,” he barks. “Now.”

“Come on kid, I brought Twizzlers this time,” Nico hesitates before reaching out to take Danny’s hand. He leans into me and whispers, “Give them hell.”

Lifting my eyes to him, he winks at me before leading my crying brother out of the house. The door closes and my father stares at me with a guarded expression on his face.

“I thought you were done with him. Isn’t that what you said? You were tired of the drugs and all that came with him.”

Leave it to him to throw my words in my face.

“Don’t twist my fucking words,” I spat. “If something happens to my husband, I will never forgive you,” I hiss, poking a finger against his chest.

“Okay, look, nothing is going to happen to anyone,” Wolf interjects. “I’m going to make sure of that.”

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