Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(7)

I wait a few hours, until it’s the middle of the night, before tiptoeing out of my room in my robe and slippers. If Charlie catches me, I’ll lie and say I was hungry after all. But as I walk past his bedroom, I notice the door is slightly ajar, and my eyes skim over the empty bed with curiosity. Either he’s with his mom and sister, sulking somewhere around this vast mansion, or he’s gone out.

With careful movements, I open the door to the master suite, checking the space to ensure he isn’t in here.

Elizabeth and Lillian are still sound asleep, curled around one another in the bed. I sneak to the en suite bathroom, closing the door firmly but quietly behind me. Removing my burner cell from the pocket of my robe, I call Xavier. I want to call one of the guys directly, but I don’t trust my father isn’t tapping their phones. He could have a trace on Xavier too, but my gut tells me we’ve managed to hide Xavier from him so far and that he’s the safest option.

“Fuck, babe. Are you okay?” Xavier says the instant he answers, not sounding sleepy.

“I’m fine. You heard?”

“All of it.” His voice cracks, and intense pressure presses down on my chest.

“I need to know if Kai is okay,” I say, choking over the messy ball of emotion clogging my throat. “Can you call Sawyer and find out?”

“He’ll be fine,” he says in a softer tone. “I’m with them now. We’re at Lauder’s place, and Rick has a doctor friend of his attending to Kai’s injuries.”

“I thought you went home for Christmas?”

“I did, but I came back as soon as I heard what went down.”

My heart soars. I don’t think it’s going to take Xavier long to prove he is deserving of his best-bud status. “Thanks.”

“You know I’d do anything for you, Abby. I promised I have your back, and I mean it.”

“That means a lot, dude.”

There’s a rustling sound, and then a familiar voice speaks. “Did something happen?” Drew asks, and I roll my eyes even though I know he can’t see me. He obviously just snatched the phone off Xavier, not even allowing him say goodbye. “I’m just checking on Kai.”

“Is it safe to talk?” he queries, worry underscoring his tone.

“I think Charlie has gone out, and I’m using my burner cell in his mom’s bathroom. I doubt there’s any listening devices in here, and I triple-checked this cell for tracking devices and found none.”

“Okay, but use it sparingly.”

“Stop babying me, Drew.”

A pregnant pause fills the air before he says, “Sorry. It’s hard not to worry.”

“I know, but I’m fine. Now put Rick on.”

“Okay. I’ll drop by in a couple days. Provided Father hasn’t got me tied to a chair.”

Acid crawls up my throat. “Talk your way out of it. I’ve watched Charlie stand up to the bastard, and he seems to respect it. Try the same, and it might work.”

“Don’t waste energy worrying about me. Watch your back, A. I’ve seen a side of Charlie you don’t know. He’s lethal. Don’t push him too far.” A shiver skates down my spine. I’ve always known that side of Charlie exists, but I’ve never seen it.

“I’ll be careful.”

More rustling erupts before Rick speaks. “Hey, you hanging in there?”

“I’m fine. How is your brother?”

“He’s got a few cracked ribs, a dislocated shoulder, a mild concussion, and some internal bruising, but he’ll pull through. He just won’t be going anywhere for a while.”

I hate he’s so badly hurt, but at least he can’t attempt any retaliation. I also think this might be an opportune time for Drew and me to tell him and Rick that we know it was their father who killed their mother. “Is he awake? Can I speak to him?”

“Sorry, Abby. He’s all doped up and dead to the world.”

“Shitty word choice,” I say, chastising him. “Tell him I called and I love him.”

“I’ll pass that along. He’ll be glad to hear you’re okay. The few moments he was lucid he was panicking about you.”

God, how I love that man. He’s in a world of pain, but his only thoughts are of me.

“Did Drew ask you about the sleeping pills?” I inquire, needing to finish up in case Charlie catches me.

“Yeah, but there are different types, so I kinda have to know what you need them for?”

“I need something I can drug Charlie with so he passes out for at least a few hours.”

Rick whistles down the line. “Wow, so married life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?”

“Funny, ha, ha. Can you help or not?”

“I’ll get something from Uncle Wes. I’ll get it in liquid form, like you requested, but you’ll need to be circumspect with it.”

“I have a few tricks up my sleeves to enable me to get out of the house. This is just one angle, and I’ll use it sparingly because Charlie is fucking smart and I don’t want to make it obvious.”

“Okay. I’ll call Wes now and see if he can get a rush job on it. Either way, I’ll hand Drew something to give you in the next couple days.”

“Thanks, Rick. I’ve got to go. Tell everyone I said bye.” I hang up without waiting for his reply.