CHAPTER TEN

 

Come Monday afternoon, I’m glad to be home. My hangover from last night is still pounding away behind my eyes. But it was so worth it.

The adult tobogganing slopes had a fully-stocked bar on the side and, if you can believe it, disco lights. With the weather cooling down, they even had heat lights by the patio. We had fun running up and down with sledges, and drinking in between. The little stunts the boys tried to do were hilarious.

The whole weekend was brilliant, but for me, Sunday was one of the best days of my life. It was incredible. We all had so much fun, and we have the photos to prove it. Ciara, Josh, Trent and Jacob and Hope are going to be furious when they find out what we all got up to.

Now, it’s back to reality, though I am over the moon to be home.

Beau dropped me off at home before leaving to take the evening shift at work. He won’t be finishing until two in the morning. I sort of feel bad he swapped all his shifts with shitty late ones, so he could come along with us.

I mean it when I say I sort of feel bad, because I’d loved having him with us. His sacrifice is appreciated.

However, I wish I knew where we stood. How do I bring up the fact we’ve acted like a couple all weekend? It’s a hard topic to talk about—certainly not something I’ve ever had to do before. I have no idea what to do when it comes to men, especially Beau.

It’s not like I can ask my cousins or sister for help; none of them have had a boyfriend either. They’ve dated, but with the men in our family, progressing past that getting-to-know-each-other stage is hard. Trying to get the guys to understand we’re grown adults is like trying to get blood out of a stone.

With all the secrecy in her life, Hayden is the only one who gets away with hiding stuff so easily, and she still lives with my uncle Max and aunt Lake. None of us know what she does when she’s not with us, or why she sneaks out at ungodly hours. She thinks none of us know, but we’re not stupid. Only her brothers and parents don’t see it. How? I have no idea.

The need to speak to Beau is going to keep playing on my mind. It’s not something we can avoid forever. We need to talk about what happened between us. I want to know where we stand with each other. I mean, are we a couple? I’m hoping the answer is yes, but I don’t want to come across clingy or needy. I’ve had enough friends get dumped because they’ve wanted too much too soon. Sad, but true. I don’t want to ruin what we have, even if that means we’ll only ever be friends.

My lips lift into a smile as I think of how easily we’d fit the role of being a couple. Kissing him had been like a dream, and I thought nothing could be better than spending time with him. It felt like we had been doing it for months, after having known each other for years. It’s eerie how casual and aware we are of each other. I had been at ease the whole time with him, only feeling anxious when we’d been alone in the tent, and that was only because I hadn’t wanted to make a fool out of myself by showing just how inexperienced I am.

I’ve never felt this way about a man before. I’m a dreamer, so when my expectations of the perfect man were never met, I moved on. I may have seemed small-minded to some people, but I never wanted to lead someone on. I didn’t want to give them false hope. It wasn’t fair on them or me. With Beau, he’s beyond any expectations I ever had. He’s more than I ever wished for. It sounds sappy, but it’s true.

My phone starts blaring from my bag by the door. I’m thinking about ignoring it, but Beau enters my mind. It could be him. With that thought, I practically bounce off the sofa and rush over to my bag.

The screen flashes with ‘work’ and for a second, I’m half-tempted to switch it to silent. I still have today off.

However, I wouldn’t be who I was if I ignored it. Animals are a huge part of my life, and if one is in pain, I want to be there to help and comfort them.

“Hello?”

Nina answers, sounding tired. It’s eight at night and we’re normally closed. It feels later though, with autumn passing and the night’s drawing in early.

“Hey, we need you to come in. We’ve just had a walk-in emergency. A dog has been run over and we’re prepping him for surgery. We can’t get hold of Susan. She’s out on Hoo Farm, tending to the pregnant horse.”

I’m grabbing my keys before she’s even finished telling me. “How long has it been since he was run over?” I ask, running down the stairs.

“Not long. It happened around the corner. The car didn’t even stop. A passer-by watched what happened and immediately brought him here. He has a broken leg, and although he’s a chubby dog, he’s underweight and malnourished. We think he’s got internal bleeding.”

That’s good. Well, not good he got run over, but good he was brought in straight away. It’s usually cats we have brought in after being hit by a vehicle, and ninety-six percent of the time, it’s too late for them. They aren’t brought to us in time. It’s sickening how the world can overlook them, labelling them as feral animals. They aren’t. They’re someone’s pets, a part of their family, their life. They become their everything.

If I had the power to change the law, I would. Sadly, I don’t.

“I’m on my way. Keep him comfortable until I get there. Can you get reception to call my mum and let her know I won’t be picking Roxy up until tomorrow?”

“Will do.”

My legs move faster. I need to reach the building in time to scrub up and perform surgery. When it comes into view, I relax a little, my hangover all but gone.

The smell as I rush in is familiar. It’s like a second home to me. Owning a veterinary surgery has been my dream and life goal for so long, I couldn’t picture doing anything else.

The only other thing I’d like to do, which I’m saving up for, is own a shelter for stray animals. We don’t have the funding or the resources at the centre. We just don’t have the room. We’re a small company, started up by me and Susan and a few investors my grandma Mary got for us. I’d met Susan at university, and although she’s a lot older than me, we became friends. Our ideas for our future had been the same, and together, we made our dreams a reality.

I rush in and clean up, putting on my scrubs before meeting my colleagues in theatre, resting my mind so I can focus on one thing.

Saving his life.

 

*** *** ***

 

After cleaning up for the night, I head back into the kennels to check on Buster―a name I granted him when I’d seen the chubby English Bull Dog.

At first glance, I’d say he’s homeless or a runaway. He’s been living off scraps, not the hearty meals an English Bulldog is supposed to have. He isn’t chipped, but it’s still our duty as vets to try and find his owners―if he has any.

“Hey, buddy, you doing okay?” I coo, bending down to open his cage. I run my hand over him soothingly. He whines in the back of his throat, lifting his head into my hand. I giggle, stroking his head through the cone we’ve put on so he doesn’t disturb his stiches. “You like that, huh? You’re gonna be okay. I’ll be back in the morning to check on you.”

His head lifts, his eyes filled with sadness, like he can understand my words. I feel tears build when he whines again.

“I’m sorry, but I gotta go.”

He whines again and tries to stand. This is always the hardest part of my job; walking away. I shut the cage when he struggles and make my way out, turning the big lights off as I go.

We have nightlights inside all the kennels, due to some of the animals being unsettled in a new environment. I’m hoping these additions will settle him when I’m finally gone.

Everyone’s left for the night, so the place is deserted. I’m proud of my accomplishments, but I never would have been able to do it without my grandma Mary’s help. She provided me the funds to kickstart my adventure, along with willing investors. Every day I miss her but having this place keeps her in my memory. It’s like I still have a piece of her with me.

After setting the alarm, I lock up, feeling the chill since I forgot to pick up my coat in my rush to get here. Thankfully, I remembered my phone and keys. The last thing I need is to wake my mum and dad up at this time of night to tell them I’ve locked myself out. I’d never hear the end of it.

The streets are quiet, something I’ve always enjoyed at this time of night. At midnight, the place is no longer buzzing with people, loud chatter or horns honking. It’s just peaceful. Still.

I’m passing Poundstretcher when someone wearing a dark hood steps out in front of me and reaches out to grab me. Out of instinct, I punch my attacker in the face, surprising them. My entire body chills and I scream as I run back towards the centre, hearing footsteps and cursing behind me. I’m nearly back at my building when I’m grabbed from behind, propelling me forward before gravity takes hold and I crash down, fast and hard.

I ignore the pain in my knees and hands as I hit the unforgiving concrete, especially when a hand fists a chunk of my hair and slams my face into the ground.

“Please, I don’t have any money. Please!” I beg.

I’m forced up by my hair and turned to face him—at least, I think he’s a he, going by his shape and strength. I grunt at the rough, jerky movements. I’m barely able to blink when pain, like nothing I’ve ever felt before, begins to throb in my cheek.

I kick out, not hitting anything, my hands doing the same. I’m a fighter; my dad and uncles made sure I was. That we all were.

Nothing could have prepared me for the real thing though. I’ve never been in a physical fight.

“Please, I don’t have any money. Leave me alone.” I struggle to get free, my top tearing as he grabs at it. I roll over, going against everything my family taught me, and try to crawl away. Once again, he smacks my head on the concrete. I’m stunned, my vision blurring and my mind fuzzy. I fight to stay conscious.

“You think this is about money?” The deepness of the masculine voice startles me, confirming my suspicions on my attacker being a male. If evil had a voice, it would sound like the man dragging me around, my shoulders scraping on the ground.

“What do you want?” I scream, still fighting. I manage to get my leg up enough to kick him in the gut, but he comes back with a sharper punch to my chest, knocking the wind out of me.

It hurts, but there’s no way I’m going down without a fight.

Not a chance in hell.

I’m still screaming, my voice hoarse and heavy.

His fingers pinch my cheeks, no doubt leaving bruises. “I told you to call off your dogs. You’re still searching for me. Whoever your geek of a fucking boyfriend is, call him off. Otherwise things are going to get ugly, and not only will I be back for you, but I’ll be back for him too. Killing that dog will just be the beginning.”

My mind is foggy, so his words don’t register. “Who are you? I don’t even know you,” I scream, struggling to get free. My hand connects with his face, but he grabs it roughly and slams it down on the pavement. I cry out in pain, feeling something snap in my wrist. My back slams against the concrete and I choke on air, fighting to keep conscious.

“You know me as Noah Anderson. Now, are you going to call him off?”

My eyes bug out, and I fight harder, needing to get away. There’s no knowing how far he’ll take this, or what he’ll do.

And he hurt Buster? A poor innocent animal. I scream out for the pain he’s put him through, but it’s useless. 

I bend my neck to alleviate the pain of his left hand still clutching my hair forcefully.

“Please, leave me alone and I’ll tell them to stop.”

A flash of teeth under his hood reveals his sneer. I can’t see his eyes, just his mouth and the colour of his skin.

I’m scared, terrified out of my mind, and acting on adrenaline. I need to get away from him. He’s unpredictable.

“Why are you doing this to me?” I scream in his face, tears running down my cheeks. “I didn’t do anything to you.”

He laughs hauntingly. “You bitches are all the fucking same. You’re easy. You advertise yourselves to me. Me! If you weren’t so desperate, you’d realise you had a predator watching you.”

My skin crawls at the venom in his voice. He really believes we asked for it. That we set ourselves up for him to take everything away from us.

“You’re not going to get away with this.”

“Listen up, whore, I already have. Now you need to pay and let me carry on doing what I do.”

I’m taken aback by him calling me a whore and too busy trying to fight against his hands pinning me down to notice his head coming at me.

Everything disappears, including the pain.

 

*** *** ***

 

I groan awake, my face and body hurting badly. I roll to my side and hurl, my limbs weak and shaky.

Everything, from Noah jumping out at me to the last thing he whispered in my ear, plays over in my mind.

I’m beyond terrified. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life.

But there’s one thing Noah didn’t count on. I’m not the type of girl to keep my mouth shut because she’s scared. I can see why there are thousands of women out there that do. A part of me wants to lock myself away and tell everyone to drop it, but I’d never be able to live with myself if he did this to another woman. And he will. It’s just a matter of time.

A noise from the end of the dark alley has me jerking to my feet, crying out in pain. All I can see is darkness and a few shadows.

If he’s there, I don’t want him to hurt me any more than he already has. My whole body, especially my face and wrist, are killing me. I’d rather die than go through that again.

With a battle cry, I turn and run. I run with everything left inside me, even when it pains me to do it. It’s ten minutes to the police station. Ten minutes. I can make it.

I stumble and throw up a more times than I care to remember, but when I make it to the police station, I fall at the bottom of the steps, crying out again as tears fall.

I’m so close.

So very close.

The door opens and a few men and women walk out. With blurred vision, I manage to see them all pause before jumping into action.

It’s his voice that has me dropping my head on the second step.

He’s here.

“Faith? Fuck! Drew, get the car running, we need to get her to the hospital.”

“Beau, we should wait for the ambulance. Mandy called one.”

“Fuck the ambulance. She needs a hospital now!” he roars, making me wince.

“Baby, can I lift you?” he asks gently, watching my expression carefully.

I nod, but it causes me to wince in pain. Everything hurts. Hurts so goddamn badly. I have to bite my lip to stop myself from screaming out when his arms go under me. He notices me tense, and sorrow and regret fill his eyes for hurting me. He lifts me, trying to be as gentle as possible.

“I’m sorry, Faith. We’ll get you to the hospital, okay?”

“Yeah. Call Mum and Dad,” I croak out, before dropping my head on his shoulder and closing my eyes.

 

*** *** ***

 

My eyes drift open and, the minute I see both my parents beside me, they water. My dad has my mum in his arms as she cries quietly into his shoulder.

“Mum?” I croak.

Their heads snap in my direction when they hear my voice. My mum nearly trips over her own feet to get to me.

A heart-breaking sob tears from my mum as she looks down at me with a broken expression. Dad pulls her to his front, looking just as broken as he stares down at me.

“My baby girl. My baby.”

“It’s okay, Mum. I’m okay.”

She looks up at my dad before turning her disbelievingly stare my way. “Okay? You’re not okay! Mav, did you hear our girl? She said she’s okay!”

“I heard, darlin’. Faith, you scared us half to death. Do you remember what happened?”

I nod, tears slipping free. My face stings as they touch raw skin, but I don’t care. I’m just glad my parents are here.

Mum takes my hand in hers, and for the first time I notice it’s in a cast. “It’s broken?” I ask in a hoarse whisper, dread filling my bones.

“Yeah,” Mum tells me, trying to force a smile.

“Can I—can I still operate?”

Dad, seeing where I’m going, places his large hand on my knee. “The doctor said it should heal just fine. There wasn’t any nerve damage. But to be sure, you’ll need to come back and have another scan.”

“I can’t lose my animals,” I whisper.

My job means the world to me. If I lose the ability to perform surgery, I’ll have lost everything.

“You won’t.” Dad says it like he knows for a fact that is the case, but he can’t know. Neither of them can.

Another thought occurs to me. “Beau, he—he brought me here?”

Mum smiles, wiping her tears away. “Yeah, the young man called us on the way to the hospital. We could hear the sirens before he even spoke and knew something had happened to you. He explained everything he could. They just don’t know who did it. He’s outside in the waiting area with the rest of the family. Only two can come in so it’s been me and your father in here. We didn’t want to leave until you woke up.”

“It was Noah.” I try to sit up, but Mum fusses, telling me to lie back down. “No, Mum, it was Noah. The man who robbed me. He said to call off the person looking for him or he would come back to finish the job and hurt them. I know it’s Liam, Dad. You need to warn him.” My voice rises with hysteria and a nurse rushes in.

I remember what he did to that poor dog. I can’t have him hurting anyone else I love. Liam is like another uncle to me, since he grew up with them.

“You need to relax. Let’s take a look at your vitals.”

I ignore her, staring at my dad. “Please, Dad.”

“Okay, squirt. But you need to let the nurse look you over. I’ll go out and get Max to call him.”

He bends over the bed to kiss my forehead before walking out. I’m left with Mum and the horrible nurse, who’s poking me.

“Did he really stay out there all night?” I ask, whispering.

Mum smiles, her eyes shining. “Yeah, baby, he did. The others got back yesterday, preparing to pull something on him, but the minute they got here, saw his bloodshot eyes and how he was covered in blood, they decided to give him a chance.”

“He had blood on him?” I ask, eyes wide.

Her smile falls. “Yeah, girl. Your head was bleeding pretty badly. They’ve had to shave a bit to put in some stitches.”

My eyes water further. I shouldn’t be so vain as to worry over some shaved hair after everything that happened. I should be thankful I’m still alive. But it’s my hair. “Can you see it?” I croak out. My hair is long and thick, something I’ve always taken care of. If I have to cut it off, it will gut me.

The nurse interrupts. “You won’t be able to see it. You also can’t wash your hair until they get taken out. You need to keep them dry. How are you feeling? Would you like some pain meds?”

“My entire body aches, but it’s my head and wrist that hurt the most.”

She nods in understanding. “I’ll go get you some pain meds.”

She leaves us, and as the door shuts behind her, someone knocks on it. Beau pokes his head round, still wearing his uniform, but instead of the vest and all the crap he keeps on his belt, he’s only wearing his shirt, slacks and boots.

“Beau,” I whisper, feeling my pulse pick up at the sight of him.

His expression softens at the sound of my voice. He looks like he’s been in a wreck. The blood on his shirt…it makes my stomach turn. “Hey, your dad said you were awake.”

“Yeah.”

“How did you get past my offspring?” Mum asks, trying to lighten the mood.

He grins. “Aiden and Mark were busy fighting about who got to come in first, so they didn’t even see me and Lily. Lily said to come in first since she didn’t plan on leaving any time soon. She’s waiting for your dad to come back. They said since your awake, you can have three visitors.”

“Sounds about right. I’m just going to let everyone know you’re okay and ask the doctors when you can come home.”

Ahh, my mum thinks she’s being tactful. She’s not. It’s written all over her face that she wants to give us some time alone. And I love her for it. I need to thank Beau for saving me.

“Okay.”

“Love you. I won’t be long. Is there anything you need me to get while I’m gone?”

“Can you get me some water? And I love you too, Mum.”

She kisses my forehead, the same way my dad did, before leaving. I glance back at Beau, forcing a smile through the pain.

It occurred to me on the way to the station that I hadn’t been running towards the police, I had been running towards Beau. The thought not only scared me, but exhilarated me. When I was at my worst, at my most frightened, I’d wanted him. Not my parents, not my brothers or sister… Him.

In my life, family means everything, and Beau coming first… it’s monumental.

“You did good coming to the police station.” My head snaps to attention at the sound of his voice. It’s filled with so much heaviness and grievance.

“I wasn’t running to the police station,” I admit, not understanding why I blurted that out. I’m putting myself out there for a guy I hardly know, but feel like I’ve known my whole life.

I’ll never understand how billions of people walk around every day without knowing a thing about each other, but then you meet one person, just one time, and you can feel like you know everything about them.

It’s how I feel with Beau.

“What do you mean?” His brows scrunch up in confusion, making his tired and spent features look adorable.

I smile weakly, due to the amount of pain I’m enduring, and explain, my voice still a whisper, “I was running to you.”

His eyes flash as he leans forwards, taking my broken hand in his. He runs his thumb across my cast. “What do you mean?”

If we were in another situation, I’d giggle at his repetition.

“I was running to you, Beau. When I woke up, I didn’t want to move. It was like, for a split second I gave up and just wanted to die.”

His grip on my hand tightens, but I reach out with my good hand—hooked up to an IV—and place it over his.

“Don’t say shit like that. I thought I lost you, Faith. When you fell on those stairs, broken and in torn clothes…” He shakes his head, running a hand over his rough-shaven jaw. “I can’t lose you.”

I shake my head at him. “That’s the thing, it was only for a split second. And then I knew I had to get to you, that you’d help me. You’ve got to find him, Beau. He hurt a dog to lure me to my office.”

Tears fill his eyes and he scrubs a hand down his face, looking more exhausted than he did when he first entered.

“I’m so fucking sorry this happened to you. When I started at the police academy, I knew I wanted to help people. I wanted to give victims a voice, a chance at hope, to know they had someone on their side. I failed you last night. We knew he was closing in and making demands. I should have been more vigilant.”

“You couldn’t have predicted what he’d do and when. Like you said, you have a job to do, you help people. I’d never let you, or anyone, stop their lives for him. He doesn’t get that, not from you, not from me, and not from all the other women he has hurt along the way. He knew exactly what he was doing when he cornered me. He thought I’d run and hide with my tail between my legs. But he didn’t count on me being a Carter. We don’t run, and we don’t fucking hide. We stand and fight.”

His expression softens, his lips forced into a small smile. “You really are an enigma, Faith Carter. You were so fucking brave last night, even if you did give me a heart attack.”

“From what I remember, you seemed pretty in control. You got me here. You called my family and stayed with them. Thank you so much. For all of it.”

We stare into each other’s eyes, lost in the moment. Beau blinks, a regretful look crossing his face.

“I’m sorry but I need to get back to the station. I’ve got to give a statement about last night. I just couldn’t leave without knowing you were okay, really okay. I know you’re not, I can see that, but I just needed to be able to hear your voice and see those pretty eyes of yours.”

My cheeks heat at the compliment. “You didn’t need to do that, but thank you. What will happen with Noah now? Have they found him?” I ask before he rushes off to work where I won’t be able to see him.

One’s thing is for sure, I’m not relying on his colleagues to be upfront with me about everything. Beau has been honest from the very beginning of this case.

His eyes harden at the mention of Noah. “We haven’t found him. We guessed where you were attacked last night and traced your footsteps. They found the crime scene and have started asking other store owners for any CCTV they have. A woman named Susan has already brought yours in. Apparently, some kids, a few weeks back, turned your camera from facing your front doors to face the street where you were attacked.”

Yeah, thousands of pounds worth of equipment and somehow, some teenage kids with too much knowledge moved the sensors towards the street and not the doors.

“Did they tell her what the CCTV was for?” I ask, slightly worried. Susan will be going out of her mind and will no doubt be calling Nina. And, well, Nina in a crisis is a nightmare. She doesn’t handle things well if something bad happens to the ones she loves. She’ll be a wreck, even after seeing I’m okay.

“No. We reported a victim was attacked in the early hours of this morning and needed the footage. We’re hoping we can get a description of him, something to go on.”

I wince at that. “He’s white and has a gravelly voice. That’s all I can tell you. He had a hood pulled over his head and eyes, so I didn’t see his face. He also targets women on chat sites because he thinks we’re desperate. He must see us as helpless little women needing a date.” I smile at the memory of my fist meeting his face and my nails scratching his skin. He might not have made much of a deal last night about it, but that shit will hurt this morning.

“Why are you smiling?” Beau asks, looking at me like I’m batshit crazy.

Maybe I am.

But I did fight back, something I’ve always been taught to do.

“I fought back, Beau. I hit him, scratched him. Even before he hurt me. He jumped out of the alley by Poundstretcher. He startled me, so I punched him in the face. It was a kneejerk reaction.”

He forces a smile, his voice hoarse. “Well done, baby. Well done. We will get him. I promise. I won’t rest until we do.”

“I know―”

“She’s my fucking sister. I want to see her,” Aiden booms from somewhere outside my door. It bursts open to Aiden and Mark fighting their way in, getting stuck in the door-jam when they try pushing through together. I giggle a little.

Lily follows behind them more quietly, looking utterly worn out and distraught. She’s not slept, I can tell. And from the way her hands keep fiddling with her dress, she’s clearly having one of her anxiety episodes. I’m guessing being at the hospital isn’t helping. She’s never liked them since she was in one for a while when she was saved by the police.

“Boys,” I snap, but it comes out hoarse.

They stop, each having the other in headlock as they turn to me, their eyes wide and filled with dread.

My eyes flick to Lily, who is still standing in the hall with tears running down her face. She looks so tiny and lost, and it’s breaking my heart.

“Lily, baby, come here.”

She doesn’t unfreeze, her eyes never leaving the injuries on my body. I’m glad they put me in a gown and under a sheet, because I’d hate for her to see what I can only guess will be a mass of bruises on my body. But being in here and not being able to go to her is torture. She needs me. She needs—

“Lily,” Mark calls softly, stepping over to her. “Aiden, can you go get Maddox?”

“No, I’m not leaving either of them. Ever again.”

Beau chuckles, but respect flashes across his features. “I’ll grab him. I need to get back to the station before I get fired.”

“Fired?” I ask, panicked.

“I’m joking. I’ll be back later.” He leans over my body and kisses my forehead. I savour the feel of his cool lips on my burning skin, feeling relief course through me.

“See you later.”

His eyes rake over me once more before he reluctantly leaves.

My attention reverts back to Lily who has stepped into the room, even though my heart feels like it left with Beau. He’s gone and already I have the need burning inside me to cuddle next to him, to hear his voice.

“Lily, girl,” I call again, my eyes feeling heavy. But I need to know she’s okay before I pass out, this time from exhaustion.

“Lily,” Maddox calls gently, stepping inside the room. He ignores me on the bed, and I know it must take some strength. He wants to concentrate on Lily, and if he sees me he’ll lose his mind, like my brother Aiden is seconds away from doing. He still hasn’t looked away and it’s unnerving. His eyes and expression are hard, his breathing laboured, and his hands are clenched into fists at the side of his body.

Hello, meet The Incredible Hulk.

“Maddox?” Lily’s soft whisper calls.

“Yeah, it’s me, Lils.”

“He hurt her badly. Really badly,” she chokes out, tears running down her face.

Mark walks over and takes the seat Beau had been sitting on. “She was holding it together outside, but we knew this would happen. It was only a matter of time. She was ready to explode. We didn’t think she’d follow us in without Mum with her.”

There’s guilt in his voice, and I reach out to take his hand. “She had to see me, Mark. There’s no covering this up.” I gesture to my body, making him grimace.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” Aiden suddenly shouts, storming out of the room, but not before we get a look at his face. Tears were running down his cheeks and the veins in his head were pulsing.

Mark looks torn on what to do. I make the decision for him. “Go after him. I’m not going anywhere.” My attempt to joke is met with a narrowed gaze.

“I’ll sort him out and be back. Don’t go anywhere. I love you.” I give him a dry look then stare down at my body. “Ah, yeah. Won’t be long.”

He leaves as Maddox eases Lily into the room, sitting her down on the bed. “See, she’s… awake.”

He grits his teeth when he sees me for the first time. I’m sure he was about to say I was fine, but stopped himself before he could, getting a good look at me.

“Lily, I’ll be okay. I promise. I remembered all the moves our dad and uncles taught us. I got away,” I lie. I don’t want to tell her I passed out, having no idea if he had left or stayed somewhere in the shadows. It will only make her worry more.

“Really?” she breathes, sitting closer.

I smile. “Yeah, punched him right in the nose and everything.”

“I’m sorry this has happened to you. I’m sorry I can’t be stronger for you.”

My heart breaks at the sound of her own resentment. “Lily, you are one of the strongest people I know. Never doubt your worth or strength. You are our everything. You hold us together.”

“She’s right, Lils. Look at how many times you’ve saved your brothers from Faith trying killing them, or your brothers killing each other. You organise our little getaways, so we can all be together. You’re strong, Lils. You don’t see it yet, but you will.”

Maddox runs a hand down her hair. He loves her like a sister, like he loves Madison. But most of all, she’s his best friend.

“I hate seeing you like this,” Lily tells me, her eyes full of sadness.

“Me too. I promise I feel fine, just tired.”

“We’ll let you get some rest. Mum and Dad are going to stay here until the doctors release you. I’m going to head to yours and grab you some stuff, then head to Mum and Dads to do the same.”

“Your too good to me.”

“We love you, now get some rest.”

She kisses me much the same as everyone else, only lingering longer, before walking to the door, where she waits for Maddox. He leans down and kisses my cheek before moving towards my ear.

“I promise you, Faith, once we find the fucker who did this, he’s going to wish he never fucked with a Carter.”

My throat closes with emotion as he leans back, showing me through his eyes how much he means it. The conviction and determination are there, bold as day.

I just hope none of them get into trouble.

But as he leaves, closing the door quietly behind him, a sick feeling fills my stomach.