Chapter 10
It only took a second to convince Principle Young that a family emergency had happened and I would be out of work for at the most four days. I know that when the word got to the brothers and gods forbid Paxton, my ass was in serious trouble, but I had a plan and if all went well, then I should be back before my dad's legally allowed to file a missing person's report.
So now here I am, driving north to Vancouver as fast as I possibly can without getting pulled over. I was two hours in on a five hour and eight-minute drive to Vancouver General Hospital. My cell phone had not gone off yet, but I knew it was coming. I wasn't going to hide and I would be passing into Canada any minute so if it was my father that called, he couldn't organize some sort of road block. I doubt it would be though; I had more of a feeling that it was Paxton that was going to come and hunt me down.
I shivered at the danger of that thought and smiled a little. Really, that should not turn me on as much as it did. It should scare the shit out of me but last night… he awakened some sort of sexual demon inside of me. We went three more rounds, past the pain and soreness that came with a woman's first time. I didn't care. It was a delicious ache.
I shook my head trying to focus, dreading the call I knew that was coming. I had to find out what this woman Amy Collins knew. Who was Jyran White really? Was he hired by Evan Collins to gain my trust just as Jake seems to think? If so, then why what happened with Amy Collins in the car accident?
So many questions that if I just got them answered then I would know what my next step would be. If I knew, just how serious this was and whom it was really about, maybe I could solve this myself. I wouldn't need the boys or Paxton and everyone could see that I can take care of myself.
When I finally passed into White Rock I sighed heavily, relieved that I was in Canada at long last and sort of safe. For a few hours anyways, since I hadn't had any calls yet screaming for me to come back or tell them where I was. I even got smart enough to turn my GPS off on my phone and use paper directions so they couldn't track me.
It only took forty-five minutes for me to be pulling into Vancouver General Hospital parking lot. I sat in the car for an extra five minutes taking a few deep breaths, prepping myself for the huge list of lies I was supposed to be telling to get to this girl. Quick make up check and hair smooth and I was on my way into the hospital looking confident and important.
The receptionist at the desk when I walked in smiled slightly, but it wasn't too bright. Smart, considering where she was. I am sure there are not many people visiting here for the fun of visiting. "Hello, my name is Rosa Hale, I am the acting guardian of Amy Collins and am here to collect on the family's behalf of her condition."
The nurse hopped to it and started punching keys on the keyboard, looking back at me with a friendly smile. "Amy Collins is still in ICU, I can issue you a visitor pass if you sign in here."
I signed in, trying to hide my shaking hands that didn't seem to get the confidence memo I was sending out. I thanked the nurse and headed to where she directed me, managing to hold my composure until I turned out of her sight. I gave a shaky breath before I pulled myself together and headed to the elevators.
Oh, my god what if she is in a coma? I would have come out here for no reason!
No, I have to believe that this was worth something. I have some cash I withdrew this morning so I can pay cash for a hotel if I had to. I will wait her out. I have to talk to her.
It was 2pm when I was allowed into the ICU and I quietly walked into Amy Collins's room. She was tiny, extremely pale with short black hair making her seem even paler. She had a heart monitor on and a tube going up her nose, but that was it. No breathing tube, nothing else. Her eyes are closed so I didn't make a noise. I instead took her chart and started reading what I could about Amy Collins.
Amy was 18 years old, just barely in fact. She had no other kin other than Evan Collins. She was admitted into the ICU for serious head trauma and unresponsiveness when stabilized. The past few days she has had minimal lucid moments but is talking and aware of her surroundings. They planned on moving her out of ICU tomorrow.
"Who are you?" a small croaky voice came from the bed. I looked up quickly taking in her wide blue eyes and panicked expression.
I put her chart back and held up my hands trying to calm her some. "I won't hurt you, you don't know me—"
She nodded quickly and tired feebly to scoot back on the bed. "I know who you are. You're here to finish me off, aren't you?" she made a move for the nurse's button and I quickly covered her hand shaking my head. "No, no, no! Whoever you think I am or what I am here to do, I am not. I swear."
My phone started going off in my bag and I know I'm made. I had to do this fast. "Look, my name is Parker Stanley and I just want to ask you a few questions, that is all, I swear."
Amy's eyes narrowed as she frowned at me. "You're Jeff Stanley's daughter?"
It was my turn to frown. Oh well her brother was sent to prison for shooting your dad stupid, she is bound to know your name. I nodded, not knowing if that would necessarily calm her or not. "Yes, he is my father, but that isn't why I am here."
She didn't respond, but stared at me so I slowly took my hand off hers, giving her the opportunity to press the nurses button if she really wanted to. She didn't and I appreciated it. "A few months ago, a man started working at my school as a teacher, he has turned out to not be who he says he is and I think you might be able to fill in the blanks for me."
She closed her eyes and lay back on her pillow sighing. "Jyran."
I nodded but didn't say anything. If she knew already whom I was talking about then there was no need to answer that. "Do you know why he has coming looking for me specifically?"
There were silent tears coming down her face and she opened her eyes looking at me. "My brother never shot your dad."
Okay, that was not what I wanted to talk about but if it gets to what I want to know then I'll play along with this. "Why do you say that?"
"Because he didn't!" she said, her voice full of conviction. "Jyran and his brother Peter, they were there that day. I am the one that called the police." Her voice cracked and I reached out to take her hand again without thinking. "I was twelve; I didn't know what to do. I didn't know why there were there, I just knew they were fighting and shouting and it was both of them against my brother."
Oh no, I didn't even think about how young she would have been then.
"Peter jumped Evan and Jyran started coming after me. I screamed into the phone that he was going to kill me. They thought…they thought I meant Evan. When the police… your dad showed up, Evan took me into the bedroom and hid me in the closet. He told me not to come out no matter what I heard." She was sobbing freely and her eyes are focused on something across the room, but she was seeing that closet again. I could see it all over her face.
"I heard the shouting and Evan was trying to get the gun from Jyran. I could hear Peter telling Jyran to cut out back with him. He shot your dad and left the gun before running out." She looked back at me with pleading eyes. "My brother is no saint, I could never claim that, but he didn't shoot your father. I tried telling the police, the courts, the attorneys, but no one would believe me. I was just the scared girl in the closet."
I believed her. Every single word I believed it.
"How is this all leading to me?" I said, trying not to let this distract me.
Amy took another deep breath, her voice sounded weaker and I wasn't sure how much longer I was going to have her. "Jyran made a habit of checking in on me since the state took custody of me. Every few times a year he would stop in and get information on Evan." She started to cry again. "The last few years, he and Peter came together. Peter was more interested in me then Evan."
Oh, god this poor girl.
"I told Evan about this and he hired someone to take Jyran and Peter out." Her voice grew stronger for a second. "It almost worked too, but they found me first and they took me out of my apartment and were heading to Canada to a place where they could hold me as leverage over Evan's good behavior."
I nodded. "The accident."
She gave a shaky breath and nodded. "I stabbed Peter in the neck with a knife. He was driving."
I gave her hand a squeeze and watched her gather her thoughts. She frowned as she looked at me. "I think…since I am unable to be used by him anymore, the feds think he is dead now. I think making it look like Evan is coming after you to finish the job is his motivation."
All dots connected. Holy hell.
Amy's eyes were drooping and I left her with my number before heading out of the hospital. It was already past 6. My phone was beeping to inform me just how neglecting I have been. Fuck. I decided to stay at the Holiday Inn which was right around the corner from the hospital and didn't even bother looking at my phone until I had a long shower and sat down on the bed.
43 texts, 30 missed calls, 16 voice mails. I read the texts and ignored the rest. I got the gist of pissedness from the texts just fine. Jake texted to tell me that Paxton went to pick me up from school and was apparently told, by Jyran himself, that I never showed up to work today. Paxton had not taken that as the truth and tried to beat the truth out of him. He was sitting in dad's jail right now, which of course caused questions.
The texts that followed from Shay, Sam, Ash, Ember, and even Jeremy told me that they all knew what was going on and I was now in serious trouble if I was not dead. I would rather take my chances with Jake.
I am alive, are the brothers near you right now? – B
You are in so much shit! No but I am heading there right now. –Jake
I went to see Amy. I got some important info. I will head home tomorrow. Don't tell the brothers where I am please? Just that I am safe and I will be home tomorrow. Paxton's house not their house. Don't tell Paxton either. Going to bed, night Jake. Love you. –B
Don't do anything stupid. See you tomorrow. -Jake
Yeah well, I am pretty sure that I accomplished that already. I sighed, turning the phone off before throwing it on the cheap night stand next to the bed. I didn't even get out of my clothes before crawling into bed and passing out.
There was a banging on the hotel door that woke me up. I jumped out of bed, grabbing the nearest thing I could find, which was a remote control for the TV and heading to the door. My hands are shaking, fearing somehow that Jyran had found me and I am now cornered, in Canada, with the man who wanted to kill me. "Who is it?"
"Stanley, you open this fucking door right now or so help me god I will break it down!" Oh lord, I think I would rather take Jyran over this. I kept the remote, just in case, as slowly opened the door. "Hi Paxton."
He grabbed my shoulders as he came in and kicked it shut. The look in his eyes was nothing short of murderous. He spoke in a deadly calm voice, which scared the wits out of me. "You are the most selfish, underhanded, disobedient fucking woman I have ever known!"
I looked at my hands but his hand gripped my jaw forcing eye contact. "Don't you dare fucking look away! You need to see what your actions do to people!" I did see. His face held several cuts and bruises, no doubt from a beating cocktail of Jyran and my brother's. He pushed me away from him just enough to give me space, but stay within reach. "Take your fucking pants down."
My jaw dropped. Oh hell no. "What is this, the 1950's? You are not seriously thinking—"
"If you make me do it, it will be so much worse." He said calmly, sitting on the bed facing me. "You want to act like a child I will treat you like a fucking child, now pull down your fucking pants!"
This scenario has crossed my mind; however, it was much sexier and less frightening in my head. I glared at Paxton as I took down my pants and it occurred to me that I didn't have to cooperate. I slowed down my movements and tried to keep the fear out of my face, replacing it with was what I hoped looked seductive.
He watched, the muscle in his jaw twitching, refusing to react to my sudden change in tactic. I kicked off my pants and slowly started to remove my shirt. "I didn't say that!" he barked, reaching for me and pulling me over his lap.
It is extremely hard to be dignified in this position, but I was trying. Dignified and a sprinkle of sexy, I moaned slightly and wiggled around. It had been raining outside because his jeans were soaked, making me shiver with the feeling of cold, wet denim on my naked thighs.
"You will count off until I feel that you've learned your lesson." He growled out, pushing an elbow into my back so I couldn't move. This was a punishment in my family for as long as I remembered and it was the oldest person in the room's right to deal out the punishment. This means basically that I was always at the receiving end of this. No pun intended.
The first one made me jump and trust me, this was no sexy spanking. He was true-blue punishing me and as hard as I tried to play it off, I screamed out in pain. "Count off!" he snapped when I stayed silent, save for the panting as I caught my breath.
I glanced up glaring at him before giving my best porn star moan. "One."
The second one was no friendlier than the first and I screamed before moaning out again. "Two."
"You better start taking this serious because Princess, I can go all night. Other than Jake, I am the only one that knows where you are so I suggest you better start sounding more apologetic."
He was relentless, but so was I and I fought through the pain until I was pretty sure I couldn't feel my ass anymore and I had moaned out one last time. "Thirty-five."
Paxton scooted me off his lap and I was on the floor on my knees, hissing when my ass hit the floor. Oh god, regretting the egging him on thing right about now. I looked to the floor trying to hide the fact that I had uncontrollable fat silent tears running down my cheeks. He sat on the bed again and I tensed, waiting for him to pull me across his lap again.
"Put your face to the floor and your ass in the air." He ordered. I looked up at him quickly, but did as I was instructed, having more than enough punishment for the night to even chance disobeying.
Seconds later, there was his gentle touch on my rear end and a cool soothing sensation. He as putting lotion on my welts. Paxton carefully covered every inch of my raw ass cheeks before getting up again to set the lotion on the small table. He kicked off his shoes and was pulling off his pants when we nodded to the bed. "Go on, get in there."
I was on my feet in seconds, warily climbing into bed, sighing in the comfort it brought. I felt him lay down next to me and one of his large warm hands touched my back. "I nearly killed Jyran today when you went missing. I thought he… if you ever do that to me again, I will give you back to your brother's."
I turned to look at him and saw all over his face just how worried he had been. I was selfish. I moved, hissing slightly as I laid on his chest looking up at him. "I am sorry, Paxton."
"If anything had happened to you…"
I nodded and drifted off to sleep. Even though I would have loved to hear the end of that statement, I doubt even he knew what he would do.