Page 40 of Until Kendal

A chill rushed inside me. Maybe I was worse. His blood was inside my veins.

However, the men on either side of me moved together fast. Then my vision went hazy. Men passed me. I wasn’t sure for a second what had happened. Dust flew in my face. I blinked then realized the police were here.

They had my father on the ground. My mother had rolled. Police stayed on my mother, but I broke free from Joel. The air smelled like my father and whiskey.

I held my mother like she’d held me years ago. The air whooshed behind my head. I turned and saw Joel standing guard over me.

Adrenaline through me, but Joel had ducked from a punch. My father must have lunged at us. Joel twisted my father’s arm behind him, paralyzing him. Jax, Cobi, and other officers took over and cuffed my dad. More police sirens sounded as tears blurred my vision.

Joel spoke to the police then moved my mom and me away. We followed him like he was our angel. He held my mom and settled on the front porch.

As the police dragged my father toward the police cars, my mother cried loudly. And her tears reverberated in my soul. I started to take deep inhales, but my gaze never left my father as the police put him in the car. Prison must have taught him to hate me even more.

Once the police were leaving, Joel called out, “Thank you Jax.”

I tried to open my lips, but no words formed. I nodded.

Jax directed the EMT crew from the ambulance inside. “Glad I came.”

No one spoke as the EMTs moved the bodyguard to the ambulance. At least he was still alive and alert, despite the clear damage to the back of his head.

Once he was gone, I brushed my mom’s side. “Mom, let’s get you in the car.”

The EMT came to check on her, but I knew she would refuse an ambulance. She let him check her nose as she asked, “How’s Bruce?”

The EMT was nice as he said, “He’s in the ambulance and heading to the hospital, where you’re going.”

I saluted, and we quickly agreed to take her. Then Joel helped her into the backseat of his car. He was wonderful. I hoped he wasn’t with me only because he wanted to rescue us. I wondered if I needed to ask him if he truly loved me or loved being my hero.

At the ER, Joel signed where insurance information was asked for, and the nurses were fast. We were asked to step out for a minute for x-rays, and as we did, I wished he didn’t have to deal with the mess of my life.

He whispered, “She’s okay, Kendal. Nothing broken.”

“Just her face.” I remembered how I had lost consciousness after the same thing.

I wasn’t worth all his troubles, but I wished I was free and the type that fell in love. If I let myself, he would be it.

My stomach tightened. “Did we get her bags so we can take her to the airport?”

He shook his head. “The police have your father in custody and he broke his parole rules. I can send someone to get them.”

So it was safe. I reached for his arm, and a spark rushed through me. I told myself to ignore it. “Thank you. Look, can you stay here with my mom while I go get a coffee and clear my head? I need ten minutes.”

He nodded. “Be fast, Kendal. She’ll notice you’re gone.”

“I will. Thank you, Joel.” I walked away, my mind pounding. I wouldn’t have anything if I didn’t get my mind and life together, fast.

ChapterThirty-Two

Joel

Valerie’s nurses wanted to check her nose, and didn't want me in the room. So I stayed outside the door. Hopefully, Kendal would return soon. Twenty minutes had ticked past, and adrenaline rushed in my veins. I’d made a mistake in letting her go alone, though the coffee shop was downstairs.

I paced to relax, then my phone rang. I saw my brother’s name and answered. “Arman, we’re flying to New York tonight.”

“I just signed electronically Kendal’s employment contract.”

I let out a breath. She must be fine, but I stilled. “She signed?”

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