I look up at the clock. “She should be here anytime. Do you really think she’ll bring my stepfather?”
“To get the fifty thousand you promised her? I’m sure of it,” Black says.
“If Kayla gets hurt, I’m going to kill you, Black,” White growls.
“We’ll be here the entire time. I swear, Kayla, I won’t let anything happen to you, but if you’re worried, we can call a halt to this. I’ll get them another way.”
“No. The easiest way to get them and make sure they never bother White again, or any of us, is for me to get them on tape. I can do this,” I reassure him. I look White in the eye so he can see that I mean it. “I can do this.” When he doesn’t respond, I walk over to him. “I’ve got this, sweetheart.”
“Now you give me the sweet words,” he grumbles, but some of the tension leaves his face.
“I’ll give you more tonight.”
“You fell asleep on me last night.”
“It’s not every day a woman finds out her family is even more twisted than she believed.”
“They’re not your family. We are.” This comes from Ida Sue, who walks in from the back door.
“Mom. Now’s not a good time.”
“You mean because you two lame-brains are putting my Buttercup in danger?”
“We’re not putting her in danger. I’m not letting her out of my sight,” White growls, pulling me closer. “How the hell did you find out anyway?”
“I told her,” Black answers surprisingly.
“What on Earth for?”
“Because unlike you, he knows better than to keep secrets from his Momma. I swear, White, I’m starting to wonder where I went wrong with you.”
“I told her because I wanted to make sure she stayed home and didn’t come at a bad time. She blew a gasket last night when she found out you took Kayla back to her home.”
“Damn straight I did. What were you thinking, making my baby travel when she had been so sick?”
“I thought you said the doctor said it was dehydration and you were okay?”
“He did say I was dehydrated. He also said I was perfectly healthy,” I rush to reassure him, feeling myself blush. I want to tell him what else the doctor said, but now is not the time. I need to take care of this first.
“Perfectly healthy,” Ida Sue grumbles, and I shoot her a look to tell her to hush. She rolls her eyes at me, but thankfully keeps her mouth shut.
“I truly am fine. Let’s just get this behind us and then we can concentrate on the two of us.”
“I do like the sound of that,” White says with a sigh. I lean up to kiss him. Just as we’re about to break apart, the doorbell rings.
“I guess that means it’s show time,” I tell him and hope I sound happier than I am.
“Let’s get this over with,” White growls, squeezing my hand. I look back at Black to reassure myself and he winks at me. I can see the stress on his face, though. He’s worried, and Ida Sue’s face mirrors his. It’s time to prove not only to myself, but to everyone I love, that I can handle my stepfather and Rachel. I’m not the scared little girl I used to be and I have my real family here to support me.
I can do this. I know I can.
CHAPTER 64
KAYLA
I walk to the door, trying to calm my nerves. I nervously straighten the turquoise maxi dress I’m wearing. I catch myself trying to adjust my hair, then clench my hands into fists, trying to clear my face of the anger and anxiety I’m feeling. I open the door, hoping I know what I’m doing. It helps knowing White, Ida Sue, and Black are all in the next room. Black has men out in the parking lot too, because apparently Rachel and my stepfather are so deep into gambling that they have warrants out for them in five states for various charges. I feel a little guilty, but then I remember how I was treated and I remember what they’re trying to do to White. Whatever happens to them, they deserve it. It’s not my problem or responsibility.
“It’s about time. Where’s the money?” Rachel growls.
I step back, opening the door wider. “Come on in. I’ve got it. There’s just some things we need to go over.”
“Hello, Kayla.”
I look at the monster that is my stepfather. I don’t understand it, but in my memories he seemed bigger, more imposing. Now looking at him, I realize we’re almost the same height. He might be an inch or so taller than me. He’s not covered with muscles or anything that would remotely make him seem imposing. His once-blond hair is more white now and his mustache is way too thick and long to ever be considered normal. It reminds me of those crazy seventies mustaches that look like handlebars. He’s wearing a brown cable-knit sweater and the same type of pants that remind me of a 1970’s nylon and polyester mix. He’s slimy and disgusting for sure, but nothing like the man who has visited my nightmares over the years.