Protect Me: Oakville Series:Book Three (23 page)

From the corner of my eye, I see Ray’s hand close into a fist. Instead of closing my eyes and waiting for the blow, I keep my eyes fixed on his. His eyes darken until they’re almost black. His jaw is clenched so tight, I can hear his teeth grinding together. I brace myself for what is coming next. Even when his powerful fist connects with my face, I keep my eyes open and trained on his, showing him I will no longer cower to him. He can beat me bloody, but I refuse to show fear. This bold move seems to anger him more, because the next blow is much harder, causing my eye to swell shut immediately.

“If you would just do what you’re told, I wouldn’t have to do this. I was doing so well, but you have to push and antagonize me to the point where I can’t control it,” he barks as he slams his fist into my face once more. I know he’s split my bottom lip when I feel the blood trickling down my chin. I want to wipe it away, but I don’t dare remove my hands from my belly. “You will love me again, Holly, even if I have to force you to.”

“You can’t make me love you. This tactic of yours is only going to make me hate you more than I already do,” I say as I hold my belly even tighter. Only when I feel the fluttering do I take my eyes off Ray. A huge smile crosses my face as I look down at my belly. I’m so thrilled to have a sign that the baby’s okay. I don’t realize how Ray sees my smiling face. To him, it’s me defying him yet again.

The punishing blows come harder and faster. One after another. He doesn’t let up. I’m covered in blood and I can see it spattering against the wall. I should be hurting, but I’m not. Every time Ray delivers a blow to my face, my little angel moves and kicks, letting me know how strong she is. She’s giving me the strength to hold on. Making me believe there’s still hope of getting my life with Paul back.

My hands have not left my belly. No matter how hard the punch, I’ve kept my baby protected. Ray is out of breath and finally beginning to slow. My left eye is swollen completely shut and my right is close behind. I can barely make out Ray’s face as he brings it so close to mine, I can feel the quick bursts of his breath hitting my face as he pants. The fact that I’m still conscious surprises us both.

“You will learn to love me again. Even if it’s only because you fear otherwise. And if you don’t, I’ll just make sure you aren’t around to love anyone else. If I can’t have you, neither can he,” he whispers before delivering one final blow that has me seeing nothing but black before I lose consciousness.

“F
UCK
!” I scream, throwing everything within my reach, including my cell phone. Amber just called and told me she and Becky couldn’t find anything to help us find Holly. How could I not make her tell me Ray’s last name. Not to hunt him down, but so I at least knew who to protect her from. I have this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. It keeps telling me I need to find her. She needs me and so does our baby.

My every thought the past few weeks has been of Holly and now, our baby. I had a dream last night about them. Holly was sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of a nursery decorated in pink and black. She was rocking a bundle wrapped in a pink fuzzy blanket. As I approached, I could see the face of an angel peeking out from the blanket. Wisps of red hair were scattered on top of her little head. And when she opened her little eyes, I was blown away. She had the most beautiful sparkling green eyes I’ve ever seen. I never imagined myself being a father, but I’ve been excited ever since I found out about the baby. My dream that we’re having a girl has shaken me a little. What the hell do I know about taking care of girls? As long as she doesn’t start dating until she’s forty, I’ll probably be okay. One thing I do know is any boy interested in her better watch himself.

The sharp stabbing pain in my heart brings me back to reality. I need to find them. I grab the stack of mail and hurl it across the room. The frustration of being helpless is driving me mad. I watch the pieces of mail fly through the air. One envelope in particular catches my eye as it floats to the ground. I walk over to pick it up off the floor. When I recognize the handwriting, my knees become weak and I have to sit down before I fall down. It’s from Holly. I’d know her perfect handwriting anywhere. There’s no return address written on the envelope, but at least there’s a postmark. Maybe it could help Beasley. My chest tightens when I see it was postmarked over two weeks ago. Damn it! She could’ve already been home, safe and sound in my arms. With shaky hands, I open it. My heart pounds loudly as I begin reading Holly’s words.

Dear Paul,

I don’t have much time to explain. I’m sorry you have to find out this way, but I’m pregnant. Yes, we are having a baby! Ray had been watching me for months and found out. He threatened to hurt you and our friends unless I came with him. When I told him no, he threatened to harm our baby the same way he harmed his. I’m so sorry, Paul. I didn’t know what else to do. I panicked. I just wanted to keep you all and our baby safe. He promised to let me come home as soon as his sick father thought we were back together. I don’t believe his father is sick. I think it was all just a way to get me to go because he wants me back. I love you, Paul, and only you. Please believe I never left you, especially for a monster like Ray. I’ve left all the information you’ll need to find me below. Please hurry. So far, he hasn’t hurt me in any way, but I’m afraid that may change.

Love,

Holly

Ray Marconi

11218 Lincoln Rd.

Fern, CA

My doll face needs me now. I pick up what’s left of my phone and haul ass downstairs to the bar. I’m so glad when I see everyone sitting around the bar. As I approach, I can’t contain my excitement. I hold up the letter so they all can see it. “I know where she is. I have to go now,” I yell as I reach the bar.

“Take it easy, man. You’re gonna give yourself a fucking stroke,” Angel teases. His voice sounds playful but his eyes are anything but. He’s concerned about how I’ve been handling this whole mess. Everyone who knows me is concerned. Shit, even I’m worried. But now, my only mission is getting to my girls.

I fumble with my phone, trying to get the battery back on from where it was knocked off my phone when I threw it upstairs. “What are you trying to do?” Kyle questions.

“I need to search for flights going to California, but I need my phone to work first,” I reply. Every time I think I’ve got it, the damn thing falls right off. Beyond aggravated, I throw the phone again. This time, it lands in several pieces on the floor. Great. Controlling my temper might be a good idea. Amber must think so, too. She places her hand on my arm and gently gives it a squeeze.

“Paul, Angel’s right. You need to relax. Let me make a phone call and a plane will be fueled and ready to take us wherever she’s is. First, please tell us what’s going on and where she is,” Amber says in her motherly tone, instantly calming me. I smile at her, trying to convey my appreciation. I didn’t miss the “us” in her sentence, reminding me again how lucky I am to have them all in my life. How lucky we are to have them. They all love Holly and would do anything to help bring her home.

I sit, take the beer Kyle offers me, and hand the letter over to Amber. She gasps as she reads Holly’s words then passes the letter to Beasley. He reads it quickly then pulls out his phone and reads off Ray’s name and address to the voice on the other end.

“Call me as soon as you have any info,” Beasley orders before hanging up. “I want to get all the information I can on this guy so I know what and who we’re dealing with.” He pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a sigh. “We need to do this one by the book, boys. I have no jurisdiction in California. I won’t be able to steer things our way if the authorities get involved.” He looks at each one of us sternly, making sure we get what he’s saying. I get what he’s saying, I’m just not sure I like it. I want nothing more than to see Ray’s face bloody and bruised as a result of blows from my fists. So help him, if he laid a finger on her…he’ll no longer be breathing. “Is that going to be a problem? Believe me, I know how badly you want to flatten this S.O.B.”

“I just want Holly in my arms and at least one good punch to that fucker’s face,” I say with a chuckle, only half joking. Beasley nods his head. He understands. After all, he shot the guy who took Amber. He knows what I’m feeling. I really do need to get one good punch in just to show the ass what it feels like to be hit by someone bigger and stronger. He deserves a real beating. One that has him begging me for mercy, but Holly and our baby’s safety are more important. Me being locked up won’t do them any good.

Angel is the last one to read the letter. Once he finishes, he hands it back to me. Amber ends her call and informs us we need to be at the small airport just outside of town in two hours. It seems too long to wait. The longer it takes us, the more time he has to hurt her. My fists are clenching at that thought. Again, it’s Amber who calms me. She begins to spit out instructions like a drill sergeant. She’s most definitely been around Holly for way too long.

“Becky and Clark are going to watch the bar. Taryn is staying with Cody,” she states before turning to me. “Paul, you go upstairs and pack a bag. I’ll run home and pack one for Kyle, Holly, and myself. Dad, Angel, you both go get your bags together then meet the three of us at the airport,” she concludes with a nod. She gets off her stool and starts for the door. When she turns and sees none of us have moved, she places her hands on her hips. “Did I stutter? Why aren’t you all moving your asses? I told you what you needed to do. Should I draw a damn map?” Her angry tone lights a fire under us and we all scatter, everyone except Kyle.

“You didn’t tell me what to do,” Kyle teases. Amber rolls her eyes and stomps out the door. He looks to me and laughs. Shaking my head at his taunting of Amber, I continue on to complete my task. I’m not messing with her.

Grabbing the duffel bag from the closet, I begin tossing clothes in. I have no idea what I’m packing. My mind is too focused on Holly. There’s this twisting in the pit of my stomach, telling me something’s wrong. Telling me I’m too late and Ray has already hurt her. If that’s the case, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to control the rage.

Too many years were spent watching my father brutalize my mother. The pain and embarrassment in her eyes were an exact match to the look I saw in Holly’s eyes when she first told me about Ray. I made a promise to her that he’d never be able to hurt her again. The fact that I didn’t keep that promise will haunt me until the day I take my last breath.

Even if it takes the rest of our lives, I will make her feel safe again. I’ll make sure she knows I would die to protect her. That I’ll destroy anyone or anything that tries to hurt her again.

***

That had to be the longest fucking flight in history. Or maybe I’m just anxious to get to my girls. We all exit the small plane and pile into a large SUV waiting for us. I would sure like to know how Beasley ended up so connected. I guess that’s a question for another day. I can’t lose focus on why I’m here. Holly and our baby. They are all I should be thinking about. No distractions.

Beasley opens the passenger side door, while Amber, Kyle, Angel, and I slide into the back. Driving is a huge muscled man with a military style haircut. I’d assume he’s in his early thirties. He’s dressed like the FBI or CIA agents you see in the movies. Again, this really makes me wonder about Beasley. The interaction between him and Beasley tells me they know each other. Beasley introduces him as Liam. I don’t miss there’s no last name given to us.

“I’ve called the State Police. They are on standby in case we need them. The town cops are too loyal to Marconi Senior,” the big guy says to Beasley as he gets the SUV moving. The only thing I want to think about is getting Holly. All I need to know is where she is. I could give two fucks about State Police and town cops. Anyone gets in the way of me getting to Holly will be taken out. Plain and simple. I’m not letting anything stop me.