Page 113 of Pain in the Axe
“I’m gonna get you, old man,” Finn said, flipping the yellow ring toward the targets.
When my blue ring landed on the moving target, I threw my arms up in celebration. Tied one to one, we agreed on one more game.
He elbowed me.
“You look happy, big brother.”
Grinning, I turned, searching for the source of my happiness, but Chloe was nowhere to be found.
When I didn’t immediately see her, my chest constricted. So I picked up the stuffed unicorn I’d won for her and wandered over to the food area. Maybe she’d decided on another snack to keep the nausea at bay. But as I searched, I saw no sign of her.
It was almost dark now, and Jude’s band was warming up for the evening entertainment.
Had Chloe gone to the ladies’ room?
Logically, I knew she was probably just chatting or grabbing food, but my mind immediately wandered to the strange feeling she’d mentioned earlier. Did this have something to do with the people who had followed her?
Chapter 34
Chloe
My heart was pounding as I took off toward my car. That fucking asshole. I would make sure he paid. No one hurt my sister or those kids and lived.
“Just stay calm,” I told Celine. “I’m on my way. Where are the kids?”
A sob escaped her, then a sniffle. “All three are in my bathroom. I told them to lock the door.” Her voice was so shaky, I could barely understand her.
Rage bubbled up inside me. I’d given him the benefit of the doubt, and I’d let my guard down.
I’d come here to help her, to be here for her to lean on. Then I’d gotten so caught up in my own drama that I’d neglected to see what was really going on.
“Just breathe,” I said, channeling a calm I didn’t feel as I sped down Route 16. “And call the police.”
“No,” she cried. “I can’t. It will make everything worse.”
Peering up at the sky, I prayed to my mother to give her the strength to leave him. To finally realize she had to get far away from that asshole and give her children the life they deserved. She needed the police, a restraining order, and an excellent legalteam. I could help with most of that, but not until she took the first step.
“I never thought he could be dangerous.” She sobbed. “Sure, he yells a lot, and he’s always accusing me of the most ridiculous things, but this?”
My hand shook as I gripped the steering wheel. I wanted him dead. My instincts were never wrong, and I’d had an inkling for a long time that he was an abusive piece of shit. She’d never come right out and said it. Had I pushed too hard? Or not hard enough?
“You either need to get the kids and leave the house or call the police. We don’t know if he’ll come back.”
I drove, silent, while Celine composed herself, her stuttering breaths slowing and evening out. “I’m gonna go get the kids,” she said.
Staying on the phone was the best idea, but they needed her. They were probably terrified. “Okay. I’ll be there in ten minutes. Just stay calm.”
“I’m scared,” she said, her voice trembling like it had when she was a little girl.
“Celine, I love you, and I love those kids. Please, I’m begging you, call the police. I’ll stay on the line while you do it. I don’t care what he’s said or done. The line has been crossed, and there is no going back. It’s time to be strong.”
“I don’t know if I can,” she sobbed.
“I have faith in you,” I said. “You’re just like Mom, and if she were here, she’d say the same thing. You are incredible, and you’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. We’re here for you.”
“Okay.” Her voice was reedy and weak. “Love you.”
Relief flooded me. “Love you too.”
