Protect Page 21

  “Hello?”

  The only thing I could hear was sobbing. Uncontrollable sobbing.

  “Cam? Why are you crying? What’s happened?”

  I felt Jen shift next to me and found her eyes on me when I looked at her, an expression of concern on her face.

  “Brent,” my sister wailed. “He took them. He took my daughters.”

  A cold chill ran up my spine.

  “What? Who did?”

  “Sid and his brother. They… they forced their way in and took them. They were screaming and crying, but he didn’t care. My daughters, Brent! My daughters are gone.”

  I jumped up. I was going to kill Sid. He didn’t heed my warnings and he was going to fucking regret the day he decided to mess with my family.

  “Listen to me very carefully, Cam. You’re going to phone the police when I hang up, do you understand? I’ll be there as soon as I can. I don’t care if you don’t trust them, you need to report him. He can’t be allowed to get away with this.”

  She sniffled down the phone a few times.

  “Okay,” she sobbed. “Okay. You promise you’ll be here?”

  “I promise. I’ll leave straight away. We’ll get them back.” If it was the last fucking thing I did. “Promise me you’ll phone them.”

  “I promise.”

  “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

  “Okay. Thank you, Brent.”

  I think that might have been one of the only times Cam had ever thanked me in her life.

  “Phone the police, Cam.”

  I hung up and stuffed my phone in my pocket. Jen was up and by my side, putting a hand on my arm.

  “What happened?”

  “Sid took the girls,” I told her as I started towards the door. I had to get to my sister’s. I had to help her.

  Jen tugged on my arm, pulling me to a halt. Why the fuck was she stopping me?

  “Where are you going?”

  “To Cam’s.”

  “Then I’m coming with you.”

  I wouldn’t stop her. Hell, I fucking needed Jen there with me.

  “Okay.”

  I tried to start towards the door again, but she stopped me.

  “Brent, slow down. Look at me.”

  I shuddered, feeling tension coiling inside me. Cam needed me. Her daughters needed me. I looked at Jen, her blue eyes searing into mine. She reached up and cupped my face, her expression so soft and loving. It made my heart fracture.

  “You can’t go rushing off like this, okay? I know Cam needs you, but we need to make sure we have enough stuff to be there for as long as it takes to find them.”

  My shoulders drooped. She was right. I needed to be with my family for as long as it took to resolve this.

  “They’re my nieces,” I choked out.

  “I know. Shh, it’s okay, come here.”

  She pulled me to her and hugged me tight. Her warmth settled into me. She radiated with understanding and comfort.

  “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, rubbing my back. “I’m right here with you. I promise.”

  Then she let me go, kissing my cheek and giving my arms a squeeze.

  “Come on, go pack your things and we can go after that.”

  I nodded. Jen waved to Dante and Liora who were both staring with wide eyes as if they couldn’t quite believe what they’d seen. She dragged me from the room and pushed me towards the stairs. I went down to my flat on automatic before throwing a week’s worth of clothes into a bag. What the fuck would I do without Jen? I’d have just run off and not thought about anything other than getting Cam’s kids back.

  I walked back upstairs to the house. She was waiting for me in the hallway with her coat and shoes on, the car keys dangling from her black manicured nails. I took them and we left the house, setting off within minutes. She kept touching me the entire way there, as if reassuring me she wasn’t going anywhere. I needed those simple gestures to keep me sane.

  “Do you think she called the police?”

  “She better have. He came in the fucking house and just took them, I think that warrants police involvement.”

  “I know, but you said Cam doesn’t trust the police.”

  I sighed. That was true. This matter overrode that distrust. He couldn’t barge into her house and take his daughters against their will. Sid had only been granted supervised visitation rights. The drug addicted fucker didn’t even deserve that, but it’s not like I had any control over what the courts did.

  When we finally pulled up outside Cam’s house, there were already two police cars sitting outside. I breathed a slight sigh of relief as I got out with Jen. She took my hand as we walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Dad answered the door. He had Kayden resting on his shoulder, fast asleep.

  “Oh good, you’re here, son.”

  Dad didn’t usually answer the door so I knew this was serious. Jen and I walked in when he stepped back.

  “Cam’s in the living room with the police.”

  “And the boys?” I asked.

  “Billy and Kyle are upstairs.”

  I was a little surprised Billy was actually home. He always seemed to be out these days, but I suppose his sisters had just been taken.

  Jen stepped forward.

  “Should I take him for you, Mr Coleman?”

  Dad handed a sleeping Kayden to her without any fuss. He was only a year and a half old. She placed him carefully on her shoulder and rubbed his back. Thankfully, he didn’t stir.

  “Thanks love. The poor little mite is exhausted. His mum’s been crying for hours. You’ll go in and see her, won’t you, son? She needs you.”

  I nodded and patted his shoulder. Dad might not have been the best father, but he cared about us in his own way. And he did love his grandchildren to pieces.

  Jen and I went into the living room, finding Cam with a couple of officers. When she saw me, she practically dashed across the room and flung herself on me. She sobbed on my chest, making almost intelligible noises. The two officers stared at me.

  “Hello, sorry, I’m Cam’s brother,” I said as a wrapped my arms around her.

  “PC Travers and PC Brown. You’re aware your sister’s daughters have been taken by her ex-partner, Mr Coleman?” the older one with dark eyes said.

  “Yes, she called me first. I got here as soon as I could.”

  He nodded.

  “I assure you we’re doing all we can to find them. I understand her ex-partner only has supervised visitor access to his daughters. Can you think of any reason why he’d want to take them?”

  I rubbed Cam’s back as she continued to cry on my chest, wracking sobs echoing around the room.

  “Shh, Cammy, it’s okay, I’m here,” I whispered to her before raising my voice to speak to the officer. “He came around a few weeks back saying he wanted to take them because he didn’t think Cam was looking after them properly. She does her best for her kids, but it’s not easy with six of them. I help as much as I can. I think he has a grudge against Cam and me because she has full custody and he only has supervised visitation rights. Who knows what’s going through his mind. He’s a heroin addict.”

  The other officer noted down what I’d said in her notebook.

  “Yes, your sister said as much.”

  They asked me more questions and I tried to answer as best I could with Cam still crying all over me. When they’d finished up and said they needed to speak to their colleagues, I led Cam over to the sofa and sat down with her. She clung to me like leech.

  “You’re okay, Cammy, they’re going to find the girls. You’ll get them back,” I murmured to her.

  Looking up, I found Jen with Kayden still sleeping on her shoulder standing by the door. Her eyes were soft and so full of understanding. I mouthed ‘thank you’ to her. She gave me a sad smile and a nod. Dad came in and patted her shoulder before taking his usual seat on his armchair.

  Cam looked up fro
m my chest before her eyes followed mine and found Jen with her son. She stiffened and let out a small disapproving noise.

  “What is she doing here?”

  No matter how upset my sister was, I would not let her attack Jen.

  “Don’t start. I need her here.”

  “You need her here? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  She looked up at me, her dull eyes full of confusion.

  “It means you’re going to have to get used to her being around.”

  “I thought you said you were just friends.”

  Jen and I had never been friends. We’d always been something more. I stroked Cam’s hair back from her face.

  “I love her,” I told my sister, my voice low. “And I’m going to make her my wife one day. So please, try be nice for me.”

  Cam was quiet for a long moment before she sighed.

  “You mean that?”

  “Yes, she’s the world to me.”

  She nodded slowly and looked down at her lap.

  “Okay. If you’re that serious.”

  I smiled and ruffled her hair. It would take time for Cam to accept Jen, I knew that but my sister knew me well enough to know when I’d made my mind up about something, it wouldn’t easily change.

  “Are you going to be okay? It’s getting late and Jen and I need to go check into a hotel. We’re going to stay until the girls are found.”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Yeah,” she whispered. “I have Dad, I’ll be okay.”

  Jen came forward and handed Kayden to his mum. Cam gave her a grateful half smile before she stroked her son’s hair back from his face.

  “Where’s Manny?”

  “He’s working the nightshift. He’ll come straight here when he’s finished.”

  I patted her arm and stood up.

  “Good.”

  As irritating as Manny happened to be, he was actually good to my sister. He had a steady job and wanted to provide for his son. Cam needed someone like Manny in her life. He hadn’t run away at the first signs of trouble and he respected Cam’s other kids. I had to admire him for that.

  We said our goodbyes to my sister and my dad. I spoke to the police again before I left. Sid wasn’t at his flat, but they were working on finding out where he’d gone with the girls. If he was with his brother, they could’ve gone anywhere. I hoped they’d get hold of him soon.

  I took Jen to the same hotel we’d been at before and paid for two nights. Who knew how long this would take. I was exhausted by the time we got into bed. I buried my face in Jen’s chest, holding her close as she stroked my bare back.

  “Are you okay?” she whispered.

  “No.”

  “The police will find him and bring the girls back.”

  “They must be so scared.”

  She clutched me tighter as my voice broke on the words. My poor nieces. They didn’t even like spending time with their father. Crystal, the oldest, had told me as much. I couldn’t imagine what must be going through their heads right now.

  “Shh, it’s okay,” she murmured. “Whatever you’re feeling right now, just let it out. I’m right here.”

  So I did. Jen continued to hold me whilst I let out choked sounds of pain. My fists balled in her t-shirt as anger and rage coursed through me. Sid was fucking lucky the police were involved because if it was me, I’d kill the son of a bitch.

  “I’ve got you. I’m here. I love you so much.” She kissed the top of my head. “It’s you and me, okay? You and me. They’re going to be okay, you’ll see. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  Her words soothed me. She kept talking to me until my fists uncurled and I wrapped my arm around her. I kept my face pressed against her chest.

  “I love you,” she whispered one last time, leaning her cheek on top of my head.

  The sound of her breathing and the soothing noise of her heart beating in her chest lulled me to sleep. My strong, beautiful and incredible firestorm was the only person in this world to complete me. And I was so fucking grateful she was here.

  Chapter Twenty One

  Jennifer

  I lay awake with Brent sleeping against my chest. My fingers were tangled in his hair, keeping him pressed against me. His worry and concern for his nieces had my heart breaking for him. I couldn’t sleep, however, needing to watch over him in case he woke up again. In case he needed me. I’d never been much of a selfless person, but for him, I’d do just about anything.

  I’d dropped a text to Dante before we got into bed to let him know we were staying. I’d also sent one to Fi to let her know I wouldn’t be in work tomorrow. Leaving Brent here alone to deal with his family? Not an option for me. I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than right here with him.

  I wondered if the police would find the girls soon. His sister had been a complete mess. I completely understood what Brent had meant when he said Cam was dependent on him. The way she’d clutched him and her wracking sobs had echoed around my skull. Reminding me of the way I’d felt the day we discovered our mother was dead. The sadness which encompassed us for months afterwards. How Dante had cared for us the only way he knew how. And the devastation I felt when he revealed it had been Dad who stole her away.

  Whilst I didn’t have kids of my own, I could only imagine how awful Cam felt knowing the father of her children had taken them.

  Something significant struck me then. I wracked my brain for when I last remembered having my period and realised it hadn’t come when I was taking my dummy pills. That was two weeks ago. I choked out a breath. Had I been so wrapped up in everything between Brent and me that I’d not noticed?

  That can’t be right. It can’t.

  I’d never missed a period. Even when I’d gone on the pill, they’d been like clockwork.

  Crap. Fuck. Shit. No. I can’t be. I just can’t be.

  I mean if I was pregnant it could only be Brent’s and whilst he’d told me he wanted marriage and babies with me, this was too fucking soon. We’d only just decided to be together.

  Carefully, I extracted myself from Brent and made sure he was still sleeping before grabbing my phone and checking if there were any twenty four hour shops open nearby. I got dressed as quietly as I could before I slipped out of the room, taking the key card with me. Brent would be fucking mad if he knew I’d left the room, but it couldn’t be helped.

  I had to know.

  And I had to know right now.

  No one could ever say they knew me to be a patient person.

  As I walked the shop, huddled in my coat because it was cold, I racked my brain for how this could’ve happened. I was meticulous about taking it. So fucking meticulous. Then it struck me all at once. I put a hand to my mouth, feeling nausea drive through me.

  The anniversary of my mother’s death. I remembered that day vividly because of what happened between Brent and me. The argument and the epic sex in his bed. But the other thing which happened that day? I’d been violently sick half an hour after I’d had breakfast. And what did I always have with breakfast? My fucking pill.

  I’m such a fucking idiot.

  Why had I not thought about how that could be a possibility? It’d never happened before, that’s why. I’d never had sex on the anniversary of my mother’s death for obvious reasons. I’d remembered my dad’s face and the way he’d never shown any remorse for the things he’d done. The thought of it made me sick.

  When I reached the shop, I browsed through the aisles until I found the pregnancy tests. It felt so weird picking one up off the shelf, but thankfully there were self-checkouts so I didn’t have to look anyone in the eye as I paid for it.

  It’d taken me twenty minutes to walk here. I really hoped Brent would still be asleep when I got back. He’d have called me and demanded to know where I was if he had woken up. The whole walk back, nerves coiled inside me and by the time I got back in the room, I was shaking like a leaf. I checked on B
rent, finding him still fast asleep.

  Quietly, I took off my coat and shoes and crept into the bathroom. The wait was agonising. I kept looking at the timer on my phone, wishing the seconds to go by faster. I’d bought the brand where it would come up on the little screen to say pregnant or not pregnant. I stared at the little stick sitting on the sink counter, willing it to change. Willing it to tell me I wasn’t pregnant.

  When the timer went off, I silenced it immediately to make sure I didn’t wake Brent up. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath.

  I could do this.

  I could face reality.

  I opened my eyes and picked up the stick. It slipped from my hand the moment I read the screen, landing with a clink on the floor. I sunk down onto my knees and put a hand to my mouth. Tears pricked at my eyes and I allowed them to fall.

  How the fuck had this happened?

  How the fuck had my life become such a fucking mess?

  Not only was I still being blackmailed, my dad was involved in helping us find out how it’d happened, Brent’s nieces were missing, I’d just become an aunt and now… now I was fucking well pregnant with Brent’s baby.

  Could things get any more fucked up?

  I certainly damn well hoped not.

  I couldn’t do this alone. It was too fucking much. No matter how much my boyfriend was suffering with his own shit, this wasn’t something I could cope with. I needed him.

  I picked up the offending stick which had told me something I really didn’t want to know and pulled myself back up to my feet. Trudging out into the bedroom, I stood by the bed and turned one of the lamps on.

  “Brent, wake up.”

  He didn’t stir.

  “Please, I need you to wake up.”

  I leant over and shook him. My other hand held the stick of fucking doom in it. He grunted but didn’t move. Straightening, I started to feel panic setting in. I needed him right now. Right fucking now.

  “Brent, for fuck’s sake, wake up!”

  He groaned again, opening his eyes and blinking rapidly. Then he sat bolt upright and took in my appearance.

  “What’s wrong? Wait, why are you dressed?” His eyes searched mine, widening. “Jen, why are you crying?”