Secrets Behind Those Eyes (20 page)

I hear Brandon behind the door. “Fuck
you Dustin!”

I look at Dustin and motion that we
are going to knock the door in. I whisper for Annabelle to get at
the bottom of the stairs and be ready with her phone. Dustin and I
back up and slam into the door a couple of times before the hinges
finally give. Brandon is on the other side still trying to keep us
out.

As we finally get inside it’s all a
blur, I feel so much rage. I see Scarlet tied to a chair that has
been knocked over on the floor. She’s a bloody mess. I hear
Annabelle scream.

I scream for her to call 911. I turn
to see Brandon and Dustin having words. Words aren’t going to cover
this. I walk over to Brandon and start beating. I don’t stop until
the police and the paramedics are pulling me off of him.

I look around the room to see Dustin
crying holding Scarlet, I guess he’s untied her from the chair. I
see the cops holding Annabelle. She’s panting in anger. I see
Kelsie’s had the hell beat out of her and I can only imagine it was
courtesy of Annabelle. The paramedics look at Brandon and determine
he can see the doctor at the county jail for the few stitches he’s
going to need and to set his broken nose. I honestly think they
just didn’t want to deal him. I run over to Scarlet. “Baby I love
you please open your eyes. Let me see those beautiful
eyes.”

“Sir, she took quite a beating over
several hours it sounds like. Let us just get her to the hospital
to get checked out.”

I nod. “I have to go with
her.”

He nods. I look over at Annabelle.
“Here’s my phone and the keys to my jeep. Call Cade, Whisper and
Gable tell them what’s going on and to meet us at the
hospital.”

She nods through tears. “Okay. Do I
need to call your Dad or anything?”

“No he’s out of town. Call Nelson ask
him to meet me too.”

She nods. I look over at Dustin who
looks lost and scared. “Dustin ride with Annabelle please.” He nods
as they are shutting the ambulance doors.

~*~*~

The ride to the hospital felt like it
took forever. Once we got to the hospital I was shuffled to a
waiting room while the checked Scarlet out. I’m worried because I
couldn’t get her to wake up the entire ride here. I talked to her,
but she was beaten so bad, I’m worried. Her eyes were damn near
swollen shut. The paramedic said her arm is broken they just don’t
know how badly, they had to have it x-rayed. I am so
angry.

I look up as Whisper comes running in
the waiting room door. Tears are pouring down her face. “Annabelle,
Ryder what is going on?”

Annabelle hugs her. “We are waiting to
find out. They said her arm is broken they just don’t know to what
degree.”

Whisper walks over to me. “Oh Ryder
you know I’m not for violence, but I hope you beat the hell out of
that boy.”

“Oh I did. I’m pretty sure that
Annabelle took care of Kelsie too.”

She sits down and shakes her head.
“Why would they do this to her?”

Dustin sits down beside her and starts
to explain the last few years. Which is a good thing it makes time
pass a little faster. We have found out they are doing surgery on
her arm along with her nose. She has a cracked cheek and a couple
of cracked ribs.

A few hours later Cade comes bursting
in.

“Ryder. What the hell is going on man?
Where’s Gable?”

I stand up and do the guy hand shake
half hug. “She’s in surgery.”

Whisper looks like she’s seen a ghost.
She stands up and walks over to Cade putting her hand on his face.
“Your face looks just like his.”

“Well I damn sure can’t help that. I
would if I could. You must be Gable and Scarlet’s mom.”

“Yes I am. Gable is still stuck in
Seattle, they are fogged in but I told him just to stay put since
we know now that she’s not in critical danger. He’s coming home in
a few days anyway.”

“What about the son of a bitch who did
this to her?”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “I beat
the shit out of him, until the cops and EMT’s pulled me off of him.
Little Annabelle over there did a number on the girl that was
helping him.”

“So was this the asshole who ran her
off the road and had been harassing her?”

I nod. “Yeah, best we can put
together.”

Annabelle stands up and walks over.
“So you are the brother I’ve yet to meet. Wow you’re even more
handsome than Gable.” She giggles and then sticks her hand out.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Annabelle. Scarlet’s best
friend.”

“Good to meet you. Glad you took care
of a little girl justice on that other bitch.”

She smiles. “Thanks.”

“Trust me, one day you’ll get to meet
my wife and my step-sisters and you’ll understand.”

Suddenly the door opens and a doctor
comes in. Whisper and I make our way over to him. “Ms. Johnson. I’m
Dr. Hagan. I’ve reset her broken bones. She’s going to be asleep a
little longer. Even when she wakes up we’ll probably give her some
more meds to put her out for a while. She’s going to be in some
pretty bad pain. All the inflammation from the beating she took,
along with the pain from surgery is going to hurt like the devil
when she wakes up.”

I look at him. “Thank you. What about
her arm? Will she have full motion of it, I mean she’s an artist?
I’ve watched her sketch and paint with both hands but I know she’s
prefers the hand that is attached to the broken arm.”

“With physical therapy and time yes.
Luckily she’s young and that will help.”

“Thank you so much.” Whisper hugs
him.

“If you would like to go visit her now
a couple at the time will be fine.”

I look at him. “Where can I stay
tonight? I’ll be staying with her.”

The doctor looks at Whisper. She
smiles. “Yes I’m sure Ryder will be staying with her as well as
myself.”

I look at Nelson. “Will you please let
Cade follow you out to the house and show him inside to the guest
room?”

Cade steps over. “You don’t have to do
that man. I can grab a hotel room.”

“No it’s no big deal. The house is big
and empty without Scar and I there.”

He nods. “Okay I’m gonna go check on
Scar. Then I am kinda tired so I’ll take you up on your offer. But
I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”

We make our way into her room and
Whisper starts crying when she sees Scarlet’s face. She brushes
Scar’s face. “Oh baby.”

I walk over to her. “Whisper, you are
exhausted. Why don’t you let Annabelle take you home and I’ll stay
here. Come back tomorrow after some rest.”

She looks into my eyes and nods. “Okay
I guess so.”

After everyone visits I sit down
beside Scarlet. “Baby I know I fucked up, please wake up and
forgive me. I love you and I need you. Open those beautiful eyes
and let me see them.”

Chapter 33

Scarlet

I feel like my head is going to
explode, I feel someone rubbing my hand. I try to move my arm and I
can’t move it. It hurts. “Ouch.”

“Baby.”

I try to open my eyes, but it’s too
hard. “I can’t see. Ryder?”

“Yes baby your eyes are swollen pretty
bad, just get some rest. The doctor said some of the swelling will
be down tomorrow.”

“Did they get him?”

“Baby, I beat the shit out of him and
Annabelle kicked Kelsie’s ass. I’m so sorry. I love you.” I feel
him kiss my face. “I love you so much. I was so scared when Cade
called me.”

I try to clear my throat. “Cade called
you.”

“It’s a long story the nurse is here
to give you some meds. Get some rest, I’ll be here when you wake
up.”

“You will?”

“Baby after everything from today. I
may never let you leave my sight again.”

“I love you too.” I drift back off to
sleep.

I wake up and am actually able to open
my eyes a little. I can see Cade, my Mom and Annabelle standing
there. “Hey.” I keep looking for Ryder.

My mom smiles. “I made him go
downstairs with Dustin and grab a bite to eat. He was worn out, but
he wouldn’t admit it.”

I’m confused. “With
Dustin?”

Annabelle chuckles. “I know you’re
confused, but Dustin is who led us to you yesterday.”

Cade steps over to my bed. “Little sis
you have to quit scaring the shit out of everyone like
this.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for my little sister.
Yesterday was one of the scariest days of my life. I have to say
one of because Daria’s damn near given me a heart attack a few
times.”

A sudden movement from the door
catches my attention. I look up to see Ryder. He crosses over to my
bed. “Hey pretty girl. I’m glad to see you awake and able to open
your eyes a little.”

I nod. “Yeah. I feel kinda lost about
the past couple of days.”

“Don’t worry we’ll get you caught up
in time.” My mom says from the corner of the room.

Ryder smiles at me again. “Right now
all you need to know is that you are safe. Brandon and Kelsie are
in jail. Now just focus on getting better.”

I look around the room. “Um can I have
a minute alone with Ryder?”

Everyone nods.

Ryder looks at me with fear and
uncertainty in his eyes. “Baby if you are going to break up with
me, now is not the time. I may just turn into a
stalker.”

I chuckle even though it hurts my
tender face. “No. I just want you to know I understand we both said
some things to each other and we have some talking to do, but right
now I don’t want you to leave my side.”

He smiles. “Oh thank God. I was afraid
you were going to wake up and say ‘Get out of here dickhead and
never look my way again’ because I know that would be what I
deserve after how I treated you the other day.”

“Hey we both got wound up and if I’d
saw you talking to an ex and then hugging them, I would’ve probably
lost it too. I’m sorry I brought up your past. I shouldn’t have
done that.”

“It’s okay. I should’ve given you a
minute to explain rather than just blowing up. I would want someone
to give me a minute to explain and the benefit of the doubt. As far
as my past goes, I wish it had been me that told you. But truth
being told I probably would’ve chickened out and Nelson knew that.
I know he would never tell someone I didn’t trust.”

“I know but I shouldn’t have thrown it
at you like that. We both just have insecurity issues we need to
deal with. I think we both have some abandonment issues. While I
was in and out during the time that Brandon had me tied up, all I
could think about was that I might never get to see you again. That
I may tell you how sorry I was. How much I love you.”

He leans over me and kisses me gently
on the lips. “I would give you a lot sexier kiss but your lips are
pretty bruised. I’m going to let everyone back in here so I don’t
risk your safety.”

I look up. “Risk my
safety?”

“Because if we don’t get some people
in here I’m going to try all of the positions that hospital bed
offers. I will fuck you until everyone in this hospital knows
you’re mine. But right now you have guests and you are bruised. I’d
be afraid I would hurt you. But just so you know I want
you.”

Fuck now I’m turned on and wet. My
mother, brother and friends are about to walk in here. I have to
find a way to calm myself down. Too late my mom is walking through
the door, just a talking. “Well Scarlet, the doctor says you can
get out of here in the morning.”

I smile. “That sounds
great.”

Ryder steps up. “She’s coming to stay
with me. Y’all are welcome to come see her anytime, but there are
more people out at my house. There is me, dad, Nelson, Naomi and
Nana Pearl. So she won’t be alone.”

My mom looks up at him. “I’m not sure
about that Ryder.”

He looks at her. “I am. You have to
work, Gable is touring for another week, Cade has to go home or so
and Annabelle has school. At my house there are people in and out
all the time and with Brandon being arrested there is probably
going to be press hounding her for a statement. I can control
security at the farm.”

“Momma it’ll be okay. I’ll stay at
Ryder’s. He’s right there is someone there all the time without
even trying. Plus that way I can be near my Button I miss
him.”

My mom shakes her head. “Leave it to
you to try and show reason for your argument with a pet
cow.”

“Look the farm is beautiful so while
I’m recovering I can sit out back and sketch all day, with my good
hand.”

She nods. “I understand and I didn’t
think about reporters. But I’m going to be out there daily to check
on you.”

“I’m counting on it.” I am really
hoping. My mother has always been kinda flighty when it came to
Gable and me. She was more about free love and doing whatever we
want. Sometimes you just want a real mom.