Page 102 of Mercy & Malice

MICAH

How did everything get this fucked up? Me. That’s how. As we walk up to her grandparents’ house, she’s still shivering, but I don’t reach for her. She’s made it clear she doesn’t want me to touch her. All I want to do is hold her and beg her to forgive me. But I owe it to her to respect her wishes. Even if it’s killing me.

The door swings open before we reach the porch and Tara rushes to Brooke, wrapping her in an embrace. A police officer steps behind them as he watches the reunion.

Tara shifts back, observing Brooke. “I was so worried about you. Where were you?”

Brooke swallows before she lowly speaks. “I’m so sorry. I got upset and just needed to get some air. I didn’t think about how much I’d worry you.”

The officer eyes us before he centers on Brooke. “Due to recent troubling events, we responded promptly and assumed something serious happened to you, young lady.”

Brooke keeps her head down as she says, “I apologize. I was just overwhelmed.”

“The Montclair bunch have that effect. All that matters is that Brooke is safe and sound.” Dad passes the officer his business card. “We appreciate the fast, impeccable response. But it was a false alarm. If there’re any fines or costs I can cover, have the documentation sent to my office.”

I keep a lock on my father as he looks at his phone. “I’m glad you’re back safe and sound, Brooke. Unfortunately, I must get going. There’s another one of those fires need tending too.”

Brooke winces so slightly that I doubt her grandma even notices as she hugs her, offering to make her a cup of tea.

My father leans over and kisses Tara on the cheek. “I’ll see you at home.” He extends a hand to Bobby. “Nice to officially meet you.” When Bobby doesn’t accept it, he focuses to Annette. “I’m so sorry I’ll miss the home-cooked meal you worked so hard on. Perhaps we can get together at a later date.”

Every second he puts on the show, I want to hurt him a little more. I don’t know if I’ll be able to follow the plan. Because all I want is to put a bullet through his skull and watch the life fade out of him.

As soon as he saunters towards the driveway, he asks me, “Walk me out?”

I follow behind him as Luca stays at my side. Dad stops as the driver opens the door, placing a hand on the door as he waves at the officer who’s driving away. “If you cross me, you’ll regret it more than your stay in the cage.”

We stand and watch the limousine pull away. Brooke avoids looking my way as she disappears inside the house. Troy gives me a wave then heads inside with her. He’ll stay. She’s safe.

Luca says, “It’s going to be all right.”

“No, it won’t.” The damage can’t be undone.

It’s been hours since I got home. I’m pacing and unable to sit still as the need to talk to her increases. I’ll be satisfied just to see her at this point. Watch her walk into the room unharmed and out of my father’s clutches.

When the door to the garage opens, it’s only Tara who enters the house. “Where’s Brooke?”

“She had plans with Ivy tonight.”

She’s avoiding me and everything that she now knows is true.

Tara goes to walk away but stops next to me. “Thanks for helping to find her. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

I’m unable to speak as she leaves the room. I head to Ivy’s even though I know she’s gone there to avoid me. I just need to explain. To clear everything up. I can’t hide from this anymore. Not any detail. Seeing her in the cage again unleashed the need to disclose the truth. I can no longer conceal all the facts from her. I put her there.

Luca meets me at the door. “She’s in the kitchen with Ivy. I think you should give her some space.”

“I agree. But I just need to tell her everything.”

He stands rigid for a second before he moves aside and allows me in the house. When Brooke spots me, the light in her eyes dies a little more, but I still plead, “I just need a few minutes to explain everything. That’s it.”

Ivy hesitates but eventually leaves when Brooke signals it’s okay.

We’re standing in the same room, but I feel how far away and closed off she is. And she’s about to hate me more, but I owe her the truth. The full truth.

She asks, “Why wouldn’t you tell me, Micah?”

“I was protecting you.”