Page 59 of Echoes of Obsession
“I know,” she sniffs. “I’m just thinking of the time when my birth mother and twin sister took me. Even with me being part of their family, they still hurt me, and I know they were holding themselves back. What if whoever took Snow doesn’t care? What if their souls are already dead, and they hurt her simply because they think it’s funny?”
“She’s a strong woman, sweetheart,” I tell her. “Just like you. Just like Sophia. Our women are strong. They have to be in order to deal with men as stubborn as us. We know who has her. I have to believe that the man I once knew is still inside him somewhere and won’t hurt her. But I need you to be just as brave as you always have been so that I can feed off that strength. Because Maddy, I’m fucking terrified that you’re right.”
The tears I’ve been holding back for hours fill my eyes, but I don’t move to wipe them away.
“I’m terrified that she’s being hurt at this exact moment, and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it,” I continue. “So, be strong for me. Be strong for those kids. Be strong for yourself. And be strong for Snow.”
“I so wish I could hug you right now,” She sniffs.
“I’ll do it for you,” Sophie says as she slams her body against mine. I wrap my arm around her and hold her tightly. I feel Knox join at my side, and I wrap my other arm around him. I absorb the strength they’re offering and let my mind wander to Snow. I shove the strength of our family out into the universe, hoping it will reach her.
“Papa,” Knox says. “He’s hurting.”
“I know, Pup,” Taylor says over the phone. “Be his anchor, baby boy.”
Sophie and Knox stay glued to my side, so I hand Reynolds the phone to hold up for me.
“I’m ready,” I tell Maddy.
Seconds later, my little girl’s beautiful face enters the screen.
“Hi, princess,” I smile.
She holds up a piece of paper that says, can they hear me?
“Yes,” I nod. “But it’s okay. I promise.”
“I don’t know how to say many words,” she says out loud. “Scared.”
“Come on, baby,” Venom says as he gently pries his woman from my side. “You and Knox go over and sit down. Doc’s pushing to come forward so he can help Dove talk.”
Why the fuck didn’t I think of that?
“See you all in a few,” he smiles before the lightness in his eyes changes to an aggravated frown.
“You cannot have a deaf person in this family and not know how to talk to her,” Doc grumps. “Learn. All of you. Now, hold that phone where she can see me.”
Doc uses ASL to tell Dove something that makes her laugh.
“What did you say?” I ask, feeling a small smile tug at the corner of my mouth.
“I told her that baboons could sign better than you lot,” he says, giving us a very rare Doc smile. “She’s asking if her mom is back in the hospital.”
How the hell do I answer this?
“Tell her yes,” I start. “Tell her that…”
“Don’t look at the phone unless you want her to know exactly what you’re saying, you daft fool,” Doc says. “She may be a child, but she can still read your lips enough to make out the gist of it.”
I lower my head and continue. “Tell her that she had to go back in for another day. I'll tell her the truth if we don’t have Snow back by then.”
Nodding, Doc delivers the message.
I wait as she responds.
“She says that she knows you’re not telling the truth but that she knows it’s for a good reason. Something about kids not needing to know adult stuff. She’s a smart kid.”
“She is,” I agree. I look into the camera and smile. “I love you,” I tell her slowly enough so she can hear me in her own way. “Trust me to take care of your mom.”