Page 63 of Girl Like Me

I storm out of the room, my anger boiling and he doesn’t need me to send him into another melt down.

I throw a punch at the wall, the drywall shattering under the pressure. This is all my damn fault, I shouldn’t have left her to have dinner with the guys one last time. She would have been fine. We would have been weeks away from returning, but now she is gone, all because I couldn’t leave without seeing them before we left. We had something special planned for Maximus’s birthday tomorrow and now this has happened.

Mercer comes into the kitchen. “Any luck?” I ask and he shakes his head no.

“He said his phone goes straight to voicemail but he’ll keep trying and let us know if he gets a hold of him.”

“This is all my fault,” I say, running my hands through my hair.

“Don’t be ridiculous, there’s no way this is your fault. We’re missing something and need to figure it out. Her father seemed fine with our plans.”

“Maybe you’re right but if we had just left, she would’ve been safe.”

“You don’t know that Rory. Someone was clearly out to hurt her and she was no closer to figuring that out. They could have followed you and hurt you both. Let’s just keep a level head until we know what’s going on.”

I nod and we head back into the lounge room, where we all anxiously wait for news.

Hours pass and we have heard nothing. No one answers their phones. The sound of a car pulling into the driveway has us all racing towards the front door. My heart beats frantically, hoping that it’s her and everything will be okay. Rocky pulls the door open and my heart sinks, it’s Echo and a sleek black SUV behind him.

Echo, Chloe and Mossy jump out of his car while JD’s uncle Jarva and two huge men with guns get out of his.

We let them inside and all gather back in the living room.

“Boys I have tried to get hold of my brother but his phone is still off, his flight hasn’t landed yet. My sister in law is a bitch and isn’t forthcoming with information and until I speak with my brother I can’t do anything rash. Bristol is back in the hospital but I have no power there. Bristol, being a minor, means I have no say in what happens. I have my solicitor looking into ways we can fix this but it takes time.”

“And what do we owe you for this information?” I snap, even if it means my ass gets shot.

“Believe it or not boy, Bristol means the world to me. I might work on favours but this is different, my niece is not mentally ill. She may have no memories but there is something going on. First Milo and now her. Someone is keeping something from me and I don’t like secrets within my family.”

“There has to be something we can do. Can we get a message to her, to let her know we are coming for her?” Rocky asks as an idea forms in my mind.

“What about my mum? She is still a patient there.”

Mercer scoffs. “She hates JD and is unlikely to do a favour for the son who kicked her out of her own house.”

“No, but she does like Cindy.” I say, arching my brow.

“Another bitch who hates JD and used her help against us from the last time.” Levi adds.

“I have to at least try.” I say.

“Go and find her, keep your phone on you and don’t do anything reckless.” Chloe says as if she knows me. I’m sure JD has spoken to her about us. I nod, turning and strolling through the door to my car. I dial Cindy as I walk.

“Hello stranger, long time no talk. What can I do for you?”

“Are you home? I need to talk to you Cin.”

She knows me, as much of a bitch as she is, she knows what my life is like, hers isn’t any better.

“Yes, come straight up when you get here.”

I end the call, jump into my car and peel out of the driveway towards her house. She doesn't live far from me and I’m pulling into her long driveway before I know it. I don’t bother parking, I leave my car on the grass by the stairs. If her parents are home they will probably shit kittens but I don’t care.

I take the stairs to Cindy’s wing, two at a time. Her door is open and she sits on her bed painting her nails.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“No, and I need your help.”

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