Page 14 of The Doctor

I told them how Logan had stood by me the entire time. How Mason and Debbie were there for both of us. I wasn’t sure the exact details behind Jake knowing but he’d vowed to keep it a secret. Debbie had taken the secret to her grave. The moreI spoke, the more I saw each face fall in front of me. Anna and Lilly, my other sisters-in-law already knew the story since they did the investigation to make sure Dom was safe during the DeMarchis debacle. If only we knew then that his life would be turned upside down.

My mother had tears streaming down her face but the look in those liquid eyes was one of pure disappointment. Both Oliver and Nick’s jaws were set in stone. My dad was the only one I couldn’t get a read on. Considering I was a Daddy’s girl and only ever knew love and affection from him, I took that as a bad sign. Tears were streaming down my face as well but I didn’t allow myself to give in to the emotions.

By the time I started winding down, I had told them everything up to how my son ended up at Logan’s front door. I mentioned the danger he was in and that he had two little siblings in tow. Before I could ask for the help I needed, my mom pushed herself off the couch and stomped out of the living room. Several seconds later I heard the front door slam.

Ollie glared at me as he passed. “I’ll go and check on her.”

I bent over and grabbed my knees as the first sob escaped my lips. I knew they would be mad. My mother’s reaction was nothing short of what I expected. Still, it hurt and I wasn’t done. I needed their help.

Cassie pulled me onto the couch and knelt down in front of me. My dad pulled me into arms and my sobbing only increased. He rubbed my back. “I’m mad as hell, Rebecca. But I’m here.”

Cassie stood and pulled her phone from her lap. “Do you want me to call Logan? He should be here for this.”

Quickly I shook my head. “Logan is exactly where he needs to be. Those kids have been through enough. I don’t want them to be here until things calm down.”

Nick frowned and scooted closer along the floor. “Aren’t they supposed to be in protective custody or something? How much trouble is he in, Bex?”

“Nicky, I know you’re mad. But you can yell at me later. I need to keep him and his siblings safe.”

Nick nodded and rolled his hand. “Tell me what’s happening.”

I told him how something about the stepdad seemed off to Dom. He seemed to be arguing with someone a few hours before he was murdered. I told him about Dom’s role in all of it and how their safe house was compromised and that he’d heard they wanted to separate him from his siblings.

“Nick, he ran away because they wanted to take away his only family.” I started crying all over again. “I will not let him lose any more than he already has. And I will fight with all that I have to make sure I don’t lose him, fail him, this time. But I can’t do it alone. I need your help.”

My brother let out a long breath. “Firstly, get in contact with the Marshals, find out why this is federal. If he’s in protective custody this early, then he knows more than he thinks. Use our name if you need to. They’ll know he's safe and secure.”

“Should I move him?” I stood and shoved my hands in my back pocket as I started pacing. “Do you think we should move to a safe house out of town?”

Nick shook his head. “That building is the safest place outside of our offices. Wherever we move him will need a full security system. It might be a little cramped but it's safe. If you don’t want to stay with Logan, one of us can camp on his couch. I’m assuming Ollie will be in, even if he doesn’t talk to you.”

“I’m fine staying at Logan’s.” She smiled remembering the argument they had over the sleeping arrangements the night before. “But it should be noted, he will not let me sleep on the couch.”

“Well, of course not. He’s a good man. A smart man. Despite current evidence to the contrary.”

I rolled my eyes knowing I would be hearing comments like that for years to come. “Are you sure I should be making the calls?”

“You’re a Team Leader now. That’s part of the job.” He pulled me in and kissed the top of my head. “The Marshals will want to meet with us, I’ll be there for that. You don’t allow the attorney anywhere near any of you until you have your own lawyer present.”

“Thank you, Nicky. I appreciate this.”

“Let's go and see if Mom has calmed down a little. But this is going to take a long time to fix, Bex.”

I followed him outside. My mother had her head against Oliver’s chest. Slowly, I made my approach. “Mom?”

My mother pushed away from Oliver. “Rebecca, I cannot speak to you now.”

“That’s fine. I need to make some calls to keep Dom and his siblings safe, anyway…”

“Is that why…?”

“Dad will explain everything.” I pulled my phone from my pocket. “He arrived with little more than formula and some diapers. Do you think you can… I mean I have a list.”

“Rebecca, I raised six children of my own. I know how to shop for them.”

“Thanks, Mom. The little girl is four months old and the boy is nearly three.”

“This doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, Rebecca.”

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