Page 30 of Redeem
My father curses. “You will pay for that, you piece of shit. You’re lucky I need you, but I don’t need her. Every time you fall out of place, she will pay.”
I don’t turn back around. I can’t, because if I do, I won’t stop until he’s dead. As much as I want that, I won't do that in front of Lily. I never wanted to be this way; I wasn’t a killer. I never wanted to hurt people. But then I killed Adrian. Not that my actions have changed how I feel about taking a life. I try to block it all out, but some days, the visions play on repeat. His body falling to the ground. The light leaving his eyes. I hate it.
Ripping open the closet, I pull out my backpack that’s full of cash for the IDs I’ve arranged for us all and head straight to the door. My father keeps yelling from the kitchen, but I ignore him. We need to get out of here. Lily can’t stay here anymore. He hit her, and I won’t put her in danger. She needs to be somewhere safe.
As my feet hit the hall, a loud bang comes from the kitchen. Lily tenses in my arms, and I move quicker. I have to go past my father to get out. I shield her from seeing him as I head to the front door. I take one last look over my shoulder, catching him standing at the table with a bottle of beer in his hand. Blood runs from his nose and his eyes meet mine. A shiver works its way through my body.
Refusing to spend even one more second in the monster’s presence, I escape with Lily out the front door. Opening the passenger door, I try to place Lily in her seat, but she hangs on to my neck, not wanting to let go.
“Please, Lily. We have to go. Be brave for me until we get to Mad’s place.”
Lily grip loosens. “Maddy?” she asks with tears staining her little face. Her cheek is red where he hit her, and guilt crashes into me.
“Yeah, baby girl. Maddy’s house,” I soothe her as I shut her door.I did this. I allowed him to touch her.
Pulling out my phone, I shoot off a quick text message to Madden, telling him we’re coming before jumping behind the wheel and taking off down the dark street.
I hear my phone go off as I'm driving, but I won't say anything in front of Lily. She’s already scared, and I don't want to make it worse. Or for her to be scared of Madden, because I know what he's going to say as soon as the call connects.
By the time we pull up to Madden’s, Lily is passed out, and I can’t look at her for too long without being struck with so much guilt. It’s going to consume me if I can't get a handle on it.
Madden’s in the front of his place, waiting. He kicks off the wall and stalks over to us. Fuck, if I didnt know the guy, I would be putting my car in reverse and driving away. He looks practically feral. He moves past my door to Lily’s, opening it and peering in to the little sleeping girl. He sucks in a deep breath as he notices her cheek. He runs his thumb gently over Lily’s cheek and she stirs a little.
“I’m gonna kill that motherfucker,” he whispers under his breath to me while unbuckling her while trying not to wake Lily.
As he gently gathers her up, she stirs for a moment, and her little hand reaches out to Madden’s cheek. When she touches the scruff on his jaw, she lets out a small sigh and snuggles into him. She falls back to sleep instantly, knowing her Maddy is here now. We don’t say a word until he’s tucked her safely into his bed and closes the door behind him.
Madden paces the small living room. His father’s not here. If he was, I wouldn't be here. He’s been gone on business for a few weeks. Fuck, would be nice if he never comes back. He’s worse than my own father.
Emilio doesn't even knock; he comes through the front door and pauses, looking over to the closed bedroom door. Madden must have told him on my way over.
He points to the closed door of Madden’s bedroom. “This changes everything. You know that, right? This speeds up the timeline,” Emilio says, raking his hands through his hair.
I look toward the door, not wanting our voices to wake up Lily. She needs her sleep. I look back over at my best friend and put my finger to my lips. Emilio closes the front door and locks it. Not that we need to lock it. Anyone dumb enough to enter that door without an invitation will be dead before they can speak.
Emilio leans back against the wall opposite me, and Madden flops into the worn brown couch.
“Of course I know that. I’m not stupid. I got the cash. I just gotta call my guy and get the shit to go. I can leave without you both. I know this fucks things up, but Lily and I can’t go back.” I let out a loud sigh. “Addie needs you.” It’s true. We can't leave her behind, and we haven't told her our plan.
“No,” Madden says.
We both turn to him.No?
“We just speed this shit up. We just won't finish out the school year. We’ll tell Addie. Give her the choice,” Madden adds.
Emilio starts to pace the room. “We can’t leave with all this shit going on with my father and Izzy...Addie.” He throws his hands up and starts to pace again. “We just need a little bit of time.” Emilio’s eyes meet mine, and I shake my head.
“We don’t have fucking time,” I snap, dropping my head back against the wall.
“She’ll be safe here, you know this,” Madden says. “You set up the security. There’s no way your father is getting into my home without us knowing.”
Emilio comes over and grips my shoulder. “Don't blame yourself, Keegs. She’s lucky to have you. And we will get her away as soon as we have everything squared away.”
I let out a deep breath. He’s right, but it doesn’t stop the guilt and anger from festering inside me.
“Okay. But I want someone with her every moment until we leave. Fuck school. She comes first,” I growl, and both Madden and Emilio nod in agreement.
“Lily always comes first,” Madden states.
