Page 52 of Crossroads of Innocence
Laura rolled her eyes. “Don’t start.”
Matthew fixed his kind, brown eyes on her. “Stop lingering in the doorway. Get in here and give me a hug. It’s been way too long since I’ve seen you.”
Emotion lodged in her throat, and for the millionth time in her life, gratitude swelled inside her at her brother’s ability to make her feel wanted and loved. She hurried across the room and leaned forward, falling into his open arms. Tears welled in her eyes, and she let them fall. Let herself feel safe and comforted and home.
He kissed her forehead. “It’s so damn good to see you, but you’re killing my side.”
“Oh, no,” she said, standing and covering her mouth with her hand. “I’m so sorry.”
He laughed through the grimace on his scruffy face. “The pain was worth it. Trust me. I’ve waited a long-ass time to be in the same room as both of my little sisters.”
Her mouth went dry, and she couldn’t help but stare around the room and take a second to appreciate where she was. With family she loved. Who loved her back. She still had a long road to go with Laura, but at least the obstacles were gone for now. She’d find a way to move forward and repair their relationship.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to come back,” she said, meaning it to her core.
Brandon pushed an extra chair next to the one he’d vacated and gestured for her and Laura to sit. “We’re just happy you did. Is Wade not with you? Does that mean the guy who beat up Matthew was caught?”
She waited for Laura to take a seat before lowering herself onto the hard cushion beside the bed. “The guy who attacked me and Matthew is dead.”
“What?” Three voices rang out in unison.
She winced and held up her palms. “I don’t have a lot of details yet. All I know is he was in a car accident and was found dead early this morning.”
Laura reached for her hand. “Oh my God. I hate being glad someone was killed, but I’m happy he can’t hurt anyone else, and the danger is over.”
“Me, too.”
“So what now?” Matthew asked, worry still pinching his scratched brow. “Back on the road? Another new adventure waiting for you far from Pine Valley?”
“Nah,” she said, shaking her head. “I think I’ll stick around for a while. Maybe forever.”
“Well, isn’t that nice.” Her father’s deep baritone echoed inside the room. He leaned against the door frame, his broad body blocking her exit.
All of Jude’s muscles automatically stiffened. She darted her gaze around her, sweat dotting her hairline. The room closed in. Her heartbeat increased by the second. She swallowed hard, needing to get the hell out of there. Needing to run.
Laura tightened her grip on Jude’s hand.
“Dad, now’s not the time,” Matthew said. The beeping on the machine hooked to him sped up.
Brandon rushed to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him.
“Time for what?” Jenson crossed his arms over his chest. “Seeing all three of my wonderful children? I need to tell your mother to get in here. She won’t want to miss this. Who knows when we’ll all be together again.”
“No, not the time to interrupt us with your own agenda,” Matthew said.
Jenson scoffed. “Agenda? I’m just a father who’s happy to see everyone back where they belong. Well, mostly.” He narrowed his gaze at Brandon before aiming a sickeningly sweet smile on Jude. “I always knew you’d come limping home one day. Wanting me to hold your hand and fix all your problems. Needing that attention only drama and trouble can bring.”
His comment finally snapped something inside her. She summoned all the courage she had and rose to her feet, body trembling. But she wouldn’t let him see her fear as she marched forward and stopped in front of him. “All I’ve ever needed from you is to stay the hell away from me. I made a mistake by running all those years ago. By abandoning people who loved me. I didn’t know any other way to survive you and all the toxicity you brought into my life. But I’m not a child anymore. Not a little girl who doesn’t know how to handle my problems. You, father, are my problem and I choose not to engage with you. Not now. Not ever. I will not let you drive me from my home or my family ever again. So please, get the hell out of my way.”
Straightening to his full height, he sneered down at her. “Or what?”
She chuckled and shook her head. “Seriously? Or nothing. You have no power over me anymore so there’s no reason to try.” She swung her gaze over her shoulder. “I’ll be back.”
Smiling, Matthew and Laura nodded.
Turning back to her father, she strengthened her resolve, shoved passed him, and walked out into the hall. Leaving her bully behind her. She refused to look back, refused to see his reaction to finally standing up to him, because she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. Her cooked-spaghetti-like legs carried her quickly to the end of the hall.
A doctor in green scrubs stepped out of a room and collided with her.
