Forsaken Duty (Red Team #9)(28)

And then what? Heal so the cycle could start all over again? Addy didn’t have much left in her. If it weren’t for the boys, she would have ended things a long time ago.

“I understand that your parents are coming for a visit today.”

No. She didn’t want to see them. Their visits always made Cecil suspicious. “I’m sick. I can’t see them.”

Bonnie looked her over. “There are no bruises they can see. Just your arm brace.”

Addy had called her father as soon as Cecil had left the other day. She shouldn’t have. She’d had no composure to maintain at the time, should have known they’d come out. She’d cried over the phone. She’d done that once before. She knew better than to call him again, but she was desperate.

Augie was six now. He was beginning to understand what was happening between her and his father. And he didn’t like it one bit, no matter what kind of brave face she put on. Cecil mostly ignored the boys, but soon he wouldn’t miss Augie’s changing attitude. She ignored her cooling breakfast. Food turned her stomach when her body hurt this much. She’d barely nibbled on anything for most of the last week. Most of what Bonnie brought got flushed down the toilet.

Augie brought Troy into the room. When they saw she was up, they ran to the bed. She forced herself not to wince as they jostled her. Her wrist and elbow were in a soft brace to support them while she slept, which she didn’t do much of. It took a long time for her to do more than doze after her husband spent any time with her.

Augie must have seen her wince, for he grabbed Troy and kept him from wiggling around. She pushed herself up and smiled at them. So different, her boys. Augie was blond with pale blue eyes, Troy dark with rich brown hair and soft brown eyes. Not a surprise, really. They had different fathers.

“Sorry, Mama,” Augie said. “I know it hurts. I was thinking we should move your room so you don’t keep falling down the stairs. I’m sure Father won’t mind.”

Addy swept some of Augie’s hair from his brow. He needed a haircut soon. “Maybe I should, but I don’t want to be far from you two.”

“I can take care of Troy.”

“I know. And you do. But I would miss you both if I slept downstairs.”

Augie nodded. “Okay. Just promise you won’t do the stairs without me or Bonnie or someone.”

“I promise. Grandpa’s coming out to see you today.” She didn’t mention Roberta, her stepmother. She wasn’t well-liked in the house. Addy hoped she didn’t come this time.

An idea took root. Today could be the day for them all to get out of there. Cecil wasn’t home, and her parents would be flying in with their helicopter. The house was too remote to easily visit any other way.

“Bonnie, why not take the boys outside? I’m going to take a shower.”

Bonnie helped her out of bed. “What about your breakfast?”

“I’ll eat it in a bit. When did you say to expect my dad?”

“About an hour.”

Addy kissed both of her boys. “I love you.”

Augie grinned. “We know…more than the sun and the moon and all the stars.”

Addy blinked. “And then some.”

“Bye, Mommy,” Troy said as Bonnie led them away.

Addy rushed through her shower, dressed without doing any makeup, then packed a bag for each of her sons. She was still in the boys’ room when her stepmother came in. Ice spilled through Addy’s bones. She’d hoped Roberta wouldn’t come.

“Roberta.” Addy straightened. “Where’s my father?”

“He’s saying hello to our grandsons.”

Addy didn’t respond to that overtly, but covertly, she wanted to shout that nothing of hers was Roberta’s, except maybe her hate and fear. She kept herself from saying anything at the moment. She needed Roberta on board for her plan to work.

Addy checked outside. The helicopter they’d flown in on was still parked on the helipad. That was a relief. Sometimes it only dropped her parents off, then left for a while before picking them back up.

She grabbed her sons’ bags with her good hand and started for the door, but her stepmother stopped her. “What’s this?”

“The boys and I are leaving for a visit with you and Dad.”

Roberta shook her head. “No. We’ve discussed this before.”

“Move aside.”

“When will you learn some self-control? If he’s hurt you again, you know who’s to blame.”

It was true. Addy was the one who always set Cecil off. But that wasn’t going to stop her from setting him off one last time; she had to get her boys to safety. She moved into her stepmother’s space. “I’ve learned a lot from Cecil. All his dirty fighting tactics. I know how to leave bruises that no one ever sees that hurt enough to send you to a hospital. You really need to step aside.”

Roberta stepped back.

Addy took the bags and hurried downstairs. Her father was bringing the boys up to the house. Bonnie was following behind them.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Her father kissed her cheek. “The boys were happy to see us.” He smiled.

“You have to leave, Dad.”

“We just got here. Thought we’d have a nice conversation. Catch up…on everything.”