One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

34. Beatrice

34

BEATRICE

The house was quiet when I got home, but two hours later I hear the front door open and close. I carefully open my bedroom door so as not to make a sound and listen to the footstep’s downstairs. If I had to guess, it's Richard and Judge. One footstep sounds like it belongs to a woman—Evelyn? I expected her to be here when I arrived, but she wasn't. It would be odd for her to go anywhere with the men, though.

I close my bedroom door and make sure it’s locked. I don't want anyone coming in. Not with two large, packed duffel bags in the middle of my room. I chew my lip, wondering what to do. If I go downstairs with my bags, there will be a confrontation, which I can do without. Besides, I'll need someone to help me get to Den Hollows. I should have thought of that. Pulling out my phone, I hesitate over my messages with Essex. If I ask him to come, then we will no longer be a secret. I'm not ashamed to be with him, but I'm afraid of what Richard and Judge will do when they find out.

My heart pounds more when I switch from Essex to Ed. I quickly send him a message explaining that I need a ride to Den Hollows. Then I send a message to David asking if he could be here when Ed arrives to keep the peace and remind Richard and Judge that Ed is FBI. What a mess.

With a gasp, I fall back onto my bed and stare up at the ceiling, not sure what I'm going to do. A smile creeps across my face as Essex comes to mind. Whatever I decide to do in the future, I know I want it to be with him. My first love. My last love. It's a bonus that he comes with a large family who all like me.

A light knock on my bedroom door tells me it's Evelyn coming to see if I'm home. "One minute," I call quickly as I get out of bed. I grab a hoodie and pull it on before heading to the door, suddenly feeling cold. I open the door and smile at Evelyn. "Hi."

To my surprise, Evelyn pushes into my room and stops abruptly in front of my packed bags. "Going somewhere?" She turns to me. "What's going on, Beatrice?"

My eyebrows knit together in a frown as I struggle to come up with an explanation for the blank look on her face. "Surely you know I can't stay here. Not after what has happened."

"Your father won't like you leaving." Her eyes sweep over me and become distant. "I'm not sure you'll get out the door."

Irritated, I wonder what is wrong with Evelyn. She's always been in my corner, but lately she seems to be acting strangely. I'll have to find out what's going on with her later, but right now I need to focus on getting out of here. "He can't stop me. I'm eighteen. I have a place to go, so I will be fine." I step closer. "Why don't you leave too?"

"If I leave, who will take care of your father?" She walks past me to the bedroom door, and I grab her arm.

"He's not my father," I say through clenched teeth, letting go. "He killed my mother."

Evelyn swallows hard and takes another step toward the door. "He's just doing what needs to be done."

I shake my head. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing." She disappears down the hall. No doubt she's going downstairs to tell Richard what I'm about to do.

I cringe, hoping to get out of his controlling grip without too much trouble. No time like the present, I think as I grab the two duffel bags and make my way to the stairs. With determination in my heart, I take a deep breath and prepare for the confrontation, trying not to fall down the stairs under the weight of the bags. I make a lot of noise, which draws Richard and Judge out of the office.

Richard's face turns red with anger. "Where do you think you are going?" he hisses in a cold voice.

A tremor of fear starts in me at the sight of these two. I answer with a trembling voice, "I'm leaving.” While he's exchanging looks with Judge, I pull the papers out of one of the bags and throw them at Richard's feet. "I'm not signing this crap."

"You little bitch," Judge snarls.

"Oh, that's a nice name for your granddaughter!" I gain strength knowing that Ed will be here in a few minutes.

Richard puts a hand on his father's chest and takes a step toward me. "You're going to be sorry."

"I'm not the one who killed my mom!" I scream, tears threatening. "You killed her. I hate you both."

The sound of an engine revving up the driveway cuts through the hatred spilling out into the foyer of what used to be my home. Richard moves to block my exit, a smirk on his ugly face. "You'll have to go through me first." He crosses his arms.

The front door swings open with a vengeance, knocking Richard aside with a thud. My eyes shoot up to my hairline at the sight, but I wince when I realize it’s David who did it. Before Richard can get a word in with my father, I chuckle. "Serves you right for standing in front of the door."

David's eyes sweep over me before flicking to his father and then back to Richard. "Ed's been in touch with the local FBI office. I need to make sure Beatrice gets out of the house safely." He clears his throat. "Beatrice, Ed's waiting outside in the truck." He walks over to me and grabs my bags. He catches my eye and motions for me to leave.

"Boy!" Judge growls. "You leave that girl where she is."

David drops the bags and turns to his father. "Fine!" he says to my shock. "Expect several agents to arrive within fifteen minutes to pick her up instead." He turns to me, winks, and heads for the door.

"Fuck!" Richard shouts. "Get out! Both of you."

David pauses, then moves to grab my bags again. I don't catch my breath until we're outside. I burst into tears when I see Essex standing at the back of the truck. I must make some kind of noise because he stops abruptly and stares in my direction. I take off and run into his arms. He catches me and holds me as if he doesn't want to let me go. I smile up at him. "This is a nice surprise."

"I know you don’t want your father to know we are involved yet, but I love you. If you need help, I'm here."

"I love you too." I reach up and press my lips to his. As we stand there in each other's arms, I realize how lucky I am to have him.

A throat clears. "The cat's out of the bag," Ed whispers.

I pull away from Essex's sinful mouth and turn to Richard, Judge, and Evelyn. "I'm moving in with the man I love," I shout.

"Babe, let's get out of here." Essex grabs my hips and shoves me into the back of the truck before following me inside.

Ed jumps behind the wheel when I ask, "Is David going to be, okay? I don't like leaving him."

"David will be fine," Ed assures me as he starts the engine. I don't miss the look he gives David. It's clear that Ed has his doubts, which worries me.

Essex grabs my hand and lifts it to his mouth where he places his lips on my knuckles. "He'll be fine. I'm sure of it," he says quietly. "Remember, David told them it was the FBI that asked for his help."

Nerves flutter in my stomach at what I'm doing. Only in my mind was there a scenario where I stood up for what I wanted with Richard. Of course, he was my father then. Always aloof. He left it to Mom or Evelyn to entertain me as a child. David hadn't taken me places until I was older, and by then I had learned to keep my feelings to myself. Like the fact that I preferred David to Richard. He was nicer and made time for me. I grew up like most children, knowing that their father is supposed to be the one who protects them. Even nurture them. Richard does not have a nurturing bone in his body. Just like his father.

I turn and face Essex, who fills my heart. We haven't known each other long, but it's long enough to know that I can't imagine not being with him. He is my everything, and we met in a store while he was up to no good with his brothers. I frown and tilt my head to the side. "Why were you at the store the day we met?"

His eyes widen in panic before shooting to Ed and then back to me. I roll mine and add, "You can tell me while I'm unpacking in your room." I grin. "You'll have to get rid of all your girly magazines before I discover them."

Essex grins so wide, a chuckle follows. "Baby, I don't need girly magazines. I've got you for that now."

Ed clears his throat and says, "Essex, that's not something you want to say out loud with her uncle in earshot."

Shaking his head, Essex grins as he leans in for a kiss. "I love you, sweetheart."

My heart melts.