Page 169 of Tied to You
Bending, he kisses my head. “We both know the alternative was never an option.” He stands straight then turns, walking to the door.
“Where are you going?” I say in a rush. I don’t want to be alone.
“Nurse will be in soon. I’ll give you time to think.”
“I don’t need time,” I say on a breath, knowing exactly what I have to do.
Dad halts and raises a brow my way.
“I’m coming back,” I can’t say the wordhome, “with you. Today. As soon as they let me out.” He takes a step closer to me. “But I need you to do me a favour?”
“Anything.”
I sigh, rubbing my brow. “I need you to get them off whatever charges they’ll be hit with.”
“No. No way. They’re criminals, Mollie. It’s my job to enforce the law at all costs.”
“I know,” I breathe, realising I’m asking a lot. But I can’t in good conscience leave what I have here, leave everything and everyone, knowing I put them there.
“Only one of them is being charged,” he says, and I look at him. “The man who brought you in here. The other was escorted from the building.”
That’s something at least. “Dad, you have always warned me about men like Dean and Travis. But the men like the one who did this,” I hold up my wrist, my pain evident as I grimace, getting out my words, “they’re worse.”
“Enough.” He’s back by my side, helping me to lower my arm. He hates that I’m hurt.
“Can you get him out?” I need to talk to him. I can’t just leave without saying anything to anyone. If I talk to Janette or Mick, they’ll talk me round, try to make me stay. If I try to talk to Travis, who knows, we might be able to pull things back. I’m simply not prepared to risk my child’s future on a chance ofmight. I can’t stay knowing deep down, Travis never really wanted a family away from the club. I don’t doubt his love for me, but he was right. It isn’t enough.
He frowns, his temples twitching. “Then what?”
“I start my day one.” My future.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Translated; after he’s let Dean stew for a fewhours, he’ll make the call to whoever he needs to.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, darling. You’re my life.”
I watch him leave the room, closing the door behind him. And I cry, letting it all come out.
I would never have bet money on me being here now. I remember the day I left, the day I took a chance on me, I promised myself I would try. I did. With everything I have, I gave it my best shot.
“It’s done. He’ll be out by morning.”
The corner of my lip raises. It is morning. The early hours after our long night, anyway. “And the phone call?”
He hands me his phone. “You have two minutes.”
I really pushed my luck with that one. Once the door closes behind me, I gingerly lift his phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Mollie?”
“Yeah.”
“What the hell’s happening?” His voice is cold. Thick. Edged with fear.
“Listen to me,” I start, my own voice full of regret. “We don’t have long.”
“What do you mean we don’t have long?”
