Brad promised him the girls loved it and were only fighting it because it was in their nature. John couldn’t believe that any more.
Bending down John found the strength to lift her in his arms. She was so small that he was surprised she was still breathing.
Taking a deep breath he took her out to his car. He couldn’t leave her. Kelly deserved more than that. All the women he’d let pass deserved more than that. Their voices needed to be heard.
Placing her gently in the back of his car, John pulled out his cell phone. Before he typed in the number he leaned forward and threw up again. His stomach was empty, and there was nothing coming up. He was dry heaving.
He took a deep breath. If he didn’t do this now, he’d never do it, and the women needed to be heard.
Punching in the number he waited for the sheriff’s department to answer.
John didn’t give the person chance to speak. “I need to report a gang rape.”
Chapter Nine
Peter stared down into Rose’s face. She looked so peaceful in sleep. Stroking her face, he untangled his limbs and made his way downstairs. The sun was shining, and the rain appeared to have been dried up because of it. He whistled, setting up his coffee machine, waiting for Rose to wake up.
He was in love with her. Peter felt it deep into his soul. Rose was a special woman, and he looked forward to spending a great deal of time with her. Laura had given him back his life. He’d never have thought for one moment he was over her at all. Loving Laura had been part of him for so long it was natural to feel certain things. His body never lied. He wasn’t yearning for Laura anymore, and he’d be damned if he wasted another moment of his life.
Humming to himself, Peter was shocked to hear the sound of his door being knocked. He tightened the robe around his body, making his way toward the front door.
William, Edward, and Gabriel were standing there. Their faces were grim, and Peter was on alert.
“Why do I feel like this is not a social call?” he asked.
“Can we come in?” Gabriel asked.
Nodding his head, Peter moved aside for the three men to pass.
He ushered them into the dining room. They all sat around the table, and Peter poured them all a strong coffee.
“You guys are starting to freak me out. What’s going on?” Peter asked, nervous.
“I got a call last night from John Turner, Brad’s friend,” Gabriel said.
Peter tensed at Brad’s name.
“What’s going on?” Peter asked. He was tired of their pointed looks.
“Kelly Lighthouse was gang-raped last night. John has named Brad, Tyler, and Adam as being the men. I’m waiting for the DNA results. The bastards didn’t wear condoms. The Steer brothers have made sure they remain in custody. Kelly was lucid enough to name them. The girl fought.” Gabriel stopped and looked away.
Peter didn’t know what to say. Kelly was such a sweet young woman. She had her whole life ahead of her. He couldn’t believe something so horrible could happen to her.
He’d known something bad was going on with Brad. Peter had no idea it could have been something so awful.
“What’s happening?” Peter asked.
“John has admitted he didn’t have anything to do with the rape or the previous victims. He’s mentioned a couple of names of women, but he doesn’t remember them all,” Gabriel said.
“Is he trying to save his own skin?” Peter asked, disgusted.
“No, he wants to be charged as well. I don’t know what’s happened to him, but he’s like a changed man. He won’t accept a lawyer and refuses to change his statement. When I told him he could get off with a warning or even a shorter sentence, John shook his head.” Gabriel stopped, gripping his coffee cup lightly. “John said he didn’t come forward sooner, and he was just as bad as his friends. He should have come forward. I’ve announced an emergency meeting in the town hall.”
“Why?”
William and Edward remained quiet.
“The Steer brothers agree with me, as do these two,” Gabriel said, pointing at the other men. “It’s time to open up the town’s minds. They’re that closed off that four of their boys thought they could get away with it. I’m about to open their eyes to the truth of their actions.”
Rose cleared her throat capturing their attention. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Peter went to her. He saw the tears in her eyes. Wrapping his arms around her body he pulled her in close.
“I need to go and see Kelly. She shouldn’t be alone now,” Rose said.
“Of course. We’ll visit her later today.”
“I’ve organised for the town meeting to be at two. It would be great if you two could make it,” Gabriel said, standing.