Page 56 of Hateful Union

I hear her sharp intake of breath. I used to call her Mama when we lived in Manchester, but when I was taken, she took a step back, fearing that she’d lose me. She also moved us here to Spain. “Baby—” Her voice is shaky. “He’s mad, Ray. I’ve never seen him this angry before.”

I close my eyes, “He knows?”

“Knows what? What’s going on?” she demands, her voice rising.

“I had to stop him, Mama, I couldn’t let it go on. I told the police about him.”

My confession is met by silence.

“Told the police, what?” Her tone is sharp, but I ignore it. “Ray?”

“I have so much evidence, Mama, so much. He’s hurting too many people, I couldn’t sit back and not do anything.”

“Raylee, Christ. Okay, do not talk to anyone.” Her words have an urgency to them. “I’m on my way, listen to me right now, you do not talk to anyone. No one, Ray.” I’ve never heard her sound so stern before. “I’m coming to you, I’m going to make sure that you’re safe.”

“I don’t think you can,” I whisper, my throat lodging with fear. “He already knows. The cop I was talking to, he’s on Daddy’s payroll.”

“I’m leaving the house now, I promise you, Ray. I’m coming. Please, don’t talk to your father or brothers.”

I swallow hard. “I’m not at home, I’m…”

She cuts me off, “I know where you are, I’ve got a tracker on you. Don’t worry, your father doesn’t have one. I always check.”

Tracker? What the hell? “Mama, what’s going on?”

“I promise, when I get there, I’ll explain everything. Just hold on,” she promises and ends the call.

I swipe away some of the tears that have fallen and instantly hit Malcolm’s number. “Hey, baby,” he greets me cheerfully.

“Mal,” I whisper, my voice hoarse.

“What’s going on?” he demands to know, I hear hushed voices in the background. “Raylee, what’s happened?”

I quickly tell him what I’ve found out and what Mum said.

“Fuck,” he groans. “I’m on my way, baby. Please do not answer the door until I get there. My men are there, Christian is talking to them now, more are going to be on their way.”

“He knows,” I whisper, afraid that he’s coming for me. If Mum knows where I am, then surely Dad does too.

“Baby,” he returns in a whisper. “You’re killing me, gorgeous, I’ll be there within twenty minutes, sooner if Christian stops driving like he’s a fucking grandma.”

I smile, God, he always knows how to make me smile. “Okay, I have to tell Gabby what’s going on. She’s talking to her dad at the moment.”

“I think today’s the day we get the answers we’ve been waiting for,” he tells me and I really hope he’s right. “Stay safe, baby, I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay, you too, love you,” I reply instantly and then freeze.

Fuck! What the hell? Why did I say that?

His breathing deepens. “Fuck,” he growls. “Love you too, my golden girl.”

I close my eyes and let his words wash over me. My tears falling thicker and faster, but not from fear, from happiness. “I really do,” I whisper, needing him to know that it’s not said in the heat of the moment.

“I know, baby, I do too. It’s going to be okay,” he promises me.

“I know, I’ll see you soon.”

“Soon,mo stór.”

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