Page 125 of Watched

Every emotion stewing the past few hours floods me. Anxiety, rage, concern, terror. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I shout.

“Uh, baby,” he whispers.

I spin around, and behind Rain stands my sisters and mother.

“Trouble in paradise?” Indie teases, waving her hand around the house. “Literally.”

Something’s gone wrong. I’d clarified I didn’t want my mother or sisters involved any more than they already were. If they’re here, that means they’re no longer protected at home.

Plastering on a smile, I stand and move to Rain, whispering, “What happened?”

“I’ll explain later,” he says softly, extending the large bouquet of white lilies toward me. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t ever ignore me again.” For show, I take the bouquet, head toward our company, and gently cupping Kilah’s still bruised cheek and kissing her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay,” she whispers. “The bruising is going yellow now, and it’s disgusting.”

“That’s a good thing, sweetheart. It means they’re healing,” Mum says to Kilah while embracing me. I kiss both her cheeks and place a soft one on Indie’s forehead.

They’re all dressed as though forcefully taken from their beds. Indie wears her pink satin pyjamas and white headband, Kilah in navy blue flannel ones, my mother in her pastel green satin nightgown and robe.

“Rain mentioned Daniel’s bail hearing was tomorrow, and he was concerned that if he were released, he may need to come back to the house. So, he offered for us to stay here until we’re certain he wouldn’t be around the girls again,” Mum says quietly, sorrowfully peering at Kilah.

My mother’s bruises have almost faded, but Kilah’s are still a mixture of colours, and I just know her body is covered in them. Rain’s lie is believable enough that three stubborn women voluntarily got into a car with him. He also hacked their phones to block any news about Dad. My father’s hearing was this afternoon, and he won’t be getting out. With the damning video evidence Rain presented to Elizabeth and the voicemail Indie left me, Dad plead guilty and accepted five years, so he wouldn’t face a trial that could see him in prison for up to ten. Which is why Rain waited until after Elizabeth had put Dad back behind bars before confronting Aaron about the role he’s played in sending Blade after me.

Rain divulged little information about what he was planning on saying to his father, but he assured me it would mean I wouldn’t be further sought by Aaron or Blade, which he explained after I woke up to his lips around my dick this morning. While that information should be comforting, it’s not, because Smith is still seeking to kill him, and the bastard was radio silent for over five hours. Every worst-case scenario pounded through my head. Aaron killing him. Blade killing him purely for fun. Ezra killing him. He met death each time.

“Do you want food? A tea?” I ask while replacing the dying bouquet on the foyer table with the fresh, much larger one.

“Tea would be great, dear. I’ll help you.” Mum smiles.

“I’ll make it. Go upstairs and get settled. All bedrooms are furnished and to the left.”

Indie tucks her silk pillow under her arm and swings her pastel pink bag over her shoulder, taking in the house as she ascends the stairs.

“Help them, would you?” I snap at Rain, refraining from slapping him with the dying flowers as I pass.

He nods, taking Kilah’s and Mum’s bags. They follow up the stairs, and I hear Mum gasp at the top. “What a beautiful feature.”

“That’s the reason I bought this house.” Rain’s voice flows down as I round the kitchen island and flick on the kettle. “Rome loves nature.”

“That he does, dear.”

I need the girls as a temporary buffer while I cool my temper. I’m about to be the one to kill him. I rip the clingfilm off the plate and place it in the microwave with so much force, the carrots roll, threatening to escape off the side.

“Living room,” Rain says, continuing his tour, “and dining room.”

“Can I move in?” Indie teases.

“You want to watch them fuck all over the house?” Kilah asks with a quiet laugh.

“Kilah,” Mum chastises as they all take a cup and settle across the island.

Rain’s woodsy scent envelops me as he leans back against the bench, sipping his tea. “Can we talk now?”

“Once they’re in bed,” I snap quietly. “I made you dinner.”

He smiles against his cup. “You did?”