Taking The Fall(the Complete Series)(47)

“What? When aren’t I right?” she says, looking offended.

“Saint,” I say.

“Not going there right now. You’re supposed to be telling me what’s up with Carter – why he’s back and why we’re in this fortress.”

She deserves to know it all. I pulled her into this. Who knows how long she’ll be stuck here with us. “I guess the story of Carter and me begins years before we even met,” I begin, and I tell her everything that Carter told me, all the missing pieces I didn’t get or understand before and how we now have to clear some things up so we can finally be free and together.

“Wow. Lays, that’s a sweetly fucked-up love story.”

Laughing, I agree. “Let’s just hope we get our happily ever after.”

“You will. After all that, you guys deserve it,” she says, walking over to the fridge and pulling out some ice cream. “Want some?’ she asks, holding up the carton and I notice it’s the kind I always eat, cherry chocolate chip. He really does remember everything.

“Hell, yes,” I reply and start going through all the drawers, trying to find bowls and spoons. I hear my cell phone go off and I know from the ringtone that it’s Justin. Going over to my purse, I pull it out completely forgetting that I had the thing with me.

“Justin, I’m so sorry about the other day,” I say, still feeling bad about what Carter did to him.

“Hello, daughter.”

Holy fuck. I haven’t heard his voice in years. I feel my heartbeat pick up.

“Dad?” I say hesitantly, still not believing it’s him.

“Cut the crap, you little slut. It’s time for a family reunion  . I even have your mother here.”

I look up and see Jeanette staring at me.

“Why the fuck would I want to see you?” I bark into the phone.

“Seems someone has gotten a little bit of a backbone. Don’t forget I made you, Layla, and I can easily take you down, along with everyone you love,” he says smugly.

“Carter is going to kill you,” I say in an equally smug voice.

“You shut your mouth, you fucking good for nothing whore! I knew I should have passed you off years ago. Just like a typical woman, spreading her legs to get her way.”

“Fuck you, asshole! I don’t have to listen to this.” I go to hang up the phone then I hear him speak.

“I’ll kill them.”

I feel my blood go cold.

“Who?”

“Don’t play dumb, Layla, you know who. I sent Carter on a wild goose chase. I’m sure he went running out of wherever he has you. Not only could I blow up the building I have him headed to, but I also have your little friend Justin here. And let’s not forget dear old Mom.”

“What do you want?” I ask knowing now that I’ll do anything he asks me. I can’t let my father take lives because of me.

“You.”

“Where?”

“Outside the library in twenty minutes. I’ll take one of Justin’s fingers for every minute you’re late.” The line goes dead.

I bolt out of the kitchen, through the living room and up the stairs with Jeanette on my heels. I make my way to the safe, pop it open and get what I need.

“What’s going on, Lays? What the fuck?”

“He says he’ll kill them. Carter, Justin, my mom.” Turning, I look at her. “Saint.” Her face goes pale at his name.

Ripping my sweater off I grab a bra, put it on, throw on a hoodie, and slide on some jeans. I dig through my bag and I’m happy to find Carter packed the only pair of sneakers I have. Putting them on, I pick up the phone and press call.

“Baby?”

“Don’t go in wherever you’re headed. They know you’re coming.”

“How the fuck do you know this, Layla?”

I don’t answer him. “I love you so much, Carter. More than you’ll ever know but I can’t let him hurt people anymore.”

“Cherry, knock that shit off. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. You wait, baby, I’ll be right there and we’ll talk.”

“I love you,” I say again, but I can’t keep it from sounding like a sob.

“Goddamn it, Cherry, I love you too, don’t do this.”

“Goodbye, Carter,” I say, ending the call and flipping the phone on silent. I shove it into my bra and race down the stairs and out into the bay area to find a car.

“Where are we going?” Jeanette asks.

“You’re not going anywhere,” I say, my eyes desperately scanning the wall for the right keys to the Jeep.

“You’re fucking crazy if you think I’m not going with you,” she snaps back at me.