Page 98 of The Beat of My Heart
A group has formed around us now, and Julia’s mom steps forward, wrapping me in a hug. “Whatever is going on, let us help,” she says.
I’m overcome by emotion. The capacity for love that this family has is overwhelming. “I-I’m sorry, I just can’t right now. I really have to get to Julia, is she here?” I plead.
“She just ran out to the guesthouse to get some clean clothes for this little guy,” Preston says, holding Charlie.
Walking forward, I reach out to touch Charlie’s cheek. “I’m so sorry, Charlie. I’m trying to fix this for you, for us.” Leaning down, I kiss him on the nose. Turning to everyone else, I say, “I’m sorry, I can’t explain right now,” and then take off through the kitchen to the guesthouse.
I’m to our front door in seconds, but I already know she’s gone. My chest aches and I grasp it like someone has stabbed me. That’s when I see it. The note in my father’s handwriting taped to the doorframe.
Trevor,
I’m sorry it had to be this way, but I need to see you, son. I’ll send instructions soon. You know better than to go to the police. I’m not looking to harm her, Trevor, but desperate times call for drastic measures.
Your Papa
I don’t recognize the sound that comes from me as I fall to my knees. What have I done? This will never end. “My Angel, my Julia, my Angel,” I say repeatedly.
Seconds later, I hear feet barreling across the lawn. When I look up, I feel the instant my fear turns to rage.
I will kill my motherfucking father.
I see Lanie hand a baby over to Preston’s mom, Sylvie, and she’s on the ground next to me right after.
“Trevor? What’s going on?” she asks, looking past me to the guesthouse for Julia.
“He took her. My father took Julia, and I’m going to fucking kill him,” I say, clutching the note in my hand. The venom in my voice is toxic to my own ears.
Behind me, I hear everyone talk at once, but it’s Dexter’s voice that cuts through them all.
“Stand the fuck up, Trevor. This bullshit has gone on long enough. Mimi, come get the baby, please. Preston, grab your brothers and take them to the guesthouse. Trevor and Lanie, you too. Mimi, I know you’re worried, but Trevor’s father won’t hurt Julia, that I can promise you. Please just take care of the kids while we fix this.”
“Dexter, this doesn’t concern you. You have a family to take care of, go do that. I’ll fix this,” I tell him.
“Trevor, I have had enough of this shit. For two years, you have done this on your own, but now my family is involved. Julia will be my sister-in-law. She is Lanie’s sister and best friend, and now things have gone too far. I don’t care if you want our help or not because you’re getting it.”
“Absolutely not,” I yell, but Dex interrupts me with a hard shove to my chest.
“Shut the fuck up,” Dexter yells. “Fuck you, Trevor. Fuck you for not coming to us sooner and fuck you for keeping us out. That time is done. We will do this together. Now get your ass into that house and fill us in so we can get Julia home and finally put your piece of shit father where he belongs.”
Hanging my head, I know I can’t do this to him. “I can’t ask you to do that, Dex.”
Reaching his breaking point, Dex reaches out and grabs me by the collar, “Then it’s a good fucking thing you’re not asking,” he says as he shoves me through the front door of the guesthouse, followed by all the Westbrook boys.
Dex goes outside once more to make sure the grandparents are all set, Julia’s parents must be a fucking mess. Storming back into the house like a man on a mission, he heads straight for me. He gets a good right hook in, and before I can protect myself, I’m flat on my ass on the hardwood floor.
“Dexter,” Lanie yells but stops the second she sees the determination in his eyes.
“Start talking, Trevor, or so help me God, you won’t like where we end up,” he says. “And just so you know, the days of you doing this,” he says, sweeping his hands around the room, “alone, are over. We are your goddamn family, and it’s time you start treating us that way. Do not leave a detail out or so help me, Trevor…” he breaks off when Lanie places a hand on his forearm.
The innocent gesture has my gut clenching painfully. “What if he hurts her?” I let slip without thinking.
Taking a deep breath, Dex lowers his voice, “That right there is why you are going to start at the beginning and not stop until we know every last detail.”
With nothing left to lose, I do just that. I start at the beginning, with my mother, and don’t stop until I was in Loki’s office an hour ago. The only thing I leave out is the fact that Preston will soon have a houseguest. I don’t think I can deal with his tantrum right now, and make no mistake, there will be meltdowns of epic proportions when he and Lexi find out about their living arrangements.
As I’m finishing, the front door opens and in walks Seth.
Loki sent him.
