Page 42 of Echoes of Obsession
Zoe’s eyes light up when I enter the office where everyone is waiting.
“They’re all going to protect me,” she says, her hands moving like lighting.“Doc said that we’re part of their family, and they’re going to make sure my dad doesn’t hurt me anymore.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this was happening?”I ask silently.“How long has he been beating you, honey?”
“Dad said that if I told you, then he would never let me see you again,”she says, breaking my heart.
“He lied, Zoe,” I say out loud. “Legally, there’s no way he could have done that. I’m so sorry that I didn’t protect you, honey. Can you ever forgive me?”
Tears fill my eyes as guilt floods my heart. I didn’t protect my little girl. I had no idea she was being hurt. I should have known something was up when she started crying every time I told her she had to go to her father’s for the weekend. When she asked tostay home, I should have fought to let her. Instead, I sent her off to be beaten by the one man who was supposed to protect her.
“You’re so silly,”My little girl says. I’m aware of Maddy, Sophie, Knox, and Allie all watching, but I don’t have it in me to translate for them.“You didn’t know that dad was hurting me. So, no, Mommy, I don’t forgive you because you didn’t do anything that needs forgiving.”
Zoe rushes into my arms and I cuddle her as gently as possible. I didn’t protect her before, but no matter what it takes, I’ll make sure she never has to see that bastard again.
“I need to take pictures of your bruises,” I say when I pull back.
“But, mommy, that’s my butt,”she says, eyes wide.
“No one will ever see them unless it’s to protect you,” I say quickly. “I need them to keep you safe from him.”
Sighing, she nods.
“You can use my phone,” Knox says. “Ghost still has yours.”
“He didn’t want me ordering a gun,” I admit, accepting his phone. “He can’t keep my phone forever, though.”
“I can help you with that,” he tells me. “We’ll talk more about it later. I’ll go and see if we have any children’s ibuprofen.”
Everyone keeps busy while I take pictures of Zoe’s injuries. When I’m finished, I text them to my phone and send them to my email. Just to be safe.
My phone isn’t password protected in case I have a seizure and someone needs to access my contacts. So, I know Ghost will be able to see them, but it doesn’t matter.
Suddenly, the sound of motorcycles starting echoes around the room. Knox smiles knowingly as the sound fades away.
“They’re going full Obsidian,” he says cheerfully. “I should have rode with them just to see the look on this man’s face. But I freaking hate motorcycles.”
“You’re a biker,” I say confused.
“Yep,” he says. “Just in title alone. I gave my bike to my man’s sister. She’s more of a biker than I am, anyway. I’m content to stay in the office.”
“Can I go and play now?”Zoe asks.
“Of course,” I answer.
Zoe walks away with a lightness on her face that I haven’t seen in a long time. The heaviness she was carrying around was clear as day, and I didn’t even notice it.
Some mother I am.
Chapter Ten
Ghost
“Who the hell are all of you?” Ray greets from his front porch. He lives in a nice neighborhood surrounded by nice vehicles. Knowing that my girls are living in that small apartment in that fucking dangerous complex while he’s here pisses me off even more. “Wait, you’re the one fucking my ex. Careful, that fat pussy will get old fast. She’s very boring in bed, isn’t she?”
“Steady, brother,” Xander says from my side. “Once the custody battle is finalized, Ray here will take a long trip overseas. Until then, we just scare him.”
Nodding, I fix my bike and dismount, my brother’s right behind me.