Page 39 of Until Kendal
My hands trembled, but I quickly texted my boss.Ellie, I think my dad is at my mom’s. Police were called, but please tell Cobi and Jax for me.
Done,she wrote back.
I swallowed. Maybe I was wrong, but "run" wasn’t my mother’s usual words.
We made it to the winding street, and I pointed to the dirt road. “This way.”
He followed, driving fast, despite the rocky terrain. “Your house is out in the middle of nowhere.”
Memories rushed through me as I stared at the house. All the lights were out. My stomach twisted. This wasn’t normal, but I nodded. “My mom’s house, yeah.”
We pulled to the side, and he said, “Look, Kendal, stay in the car, stay low, and keep the doors locked. Something happened here, and I don’t want you getting hurt.”
My eyes were wide open. If something happened to my mom, it was my fault. Tightness gripped my muscles, but I grabbed his hand before he ran out. “Wait, Joel.”
He tapped my shoulder. “I’m going to get your mom.”
He didn’t understand. I swallowed as I tried to breathe. “My dad vowed to kill me for turning him into the cops for a robbery turned homicide. He’d been on TV. Plus the fact he beat both of us regularly, and I remember every detail like it was yesterday. So no, I can’t stay here without you.”
He nodded. “Stay behind me and listen.”
“I will.” I jumped.
We walked on the grass, and nothing stirred. I took Joel’s hand as we headed to the house, but my hair stood on its ends.
My father was close. I glanced around and saw nothing. But my skin was jumpy. I knew he was here.
We made it to the door, which opened with a creak. The sound echoed in my ears. A second later, we stepped in, and instantly, I spotted men’s boots lying behind the couch. A second later, I heard whispers.
I covered my lips, but Joel put me behind him and jumped forward. However, he stopped and asked, “Jax?”
Ellie had sent her husband faster than I'd assumed.
He moved the towel to the man’s head, and my heart thumped. I wasn’t sure who the stranger was, but he was bleeding.
"Joel, is that your bodyguard you hired?”
“Yeah.”
My entire body froze. My mother was missing.
Jax pointed outside. “Ambulance was called, but I think he’s in the woods.”
My mom was with him. No one needed to tell me. I couldn't breathe. She was all I had.
Without a care to myself, I ran, opened the door, and yelled out, “Dad, come out with Mom. You know it’s me you want, not her.”
I continued forward. My heart pounded, but I refused to care. Joel didn’t need to face the monster I created. Then footsteps to my right caught my attention. Joel and Jax came and stood beside me.
My father had my mother and was dragging her by her hair. “There is the princess, pretending to be good when we both know you’re a worthless traitor.”
I glanced up, and my knees shook. My mother's face was bloody. He tugged her forward like a rag doll. She dragged behind, but I stepped closer. I saw her eyes and knew she’d taken a hit. My limbs shook, but I shouted, “Mom!”
Joel caught me from behind and held me in place.
My father came closer, and tears rushed out of my eyes as I screamed, “How can you do that to her?”
“She thinks you’re worth loving,” my father said. “Your boyfriend doesn’t know you don’t have a heart, baby girl. You’re worse than me.”
