Messy Love(94)

“I’ve never taken it kindly when someone betrayed me. Not Wyatt’s mother, not the first dealer that knocked me out and took my stash when I started dealing, not your father.’’

I blinked and looked away from the gun to watch the man that held me captive. His sinister smile… That smile had me pressing my back against the wall even if it put more strain on my shoulders.

“Looks like I’ve got your attention, cutie.’’





WYATT


“Fuck!’’ I yelled and paced in front of Dad, hands in my hair. “How could he have known?’’

“He probably kept someone to trail you. He’s higher up in the ranks in this organization, Wyatt. But don’t worry. We’ll find him.’’

“And then what?’’ I stopped pacing and faced my father who’s drawn features showed me he wasn’t as fine with things as he wanted me to believe. For one thing, he had immediately asked one of his colleagues to get someone to protect Mom and Ava once the arrests were over. “The cops haven’t been able to pin him down, Dad.’’

“Criminals all make a mistake, Wyatt. All of them. Don’t think for one second I will stop until he’s behind bars and you’re safe from him.’’ He walked to me and put a hand on the back of my neck. “You listen to me, son. I will never let him harm you again. Never.’’

“He’ll never stop. Not now.’’

“Look at me.’’ He waited for me to look him in the eyes again. He was nothing like my biological father and everything like a dad, my dad. It calmed me. “I hope this asshole comes because then I’ll put him away. You never keep something like this to yourself. You got me?’’

“Yeah.’’ I nodded and sagged. “Yeah, I got you, Dad. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.’’

“Come here,’’ he said and pulled me into him and hugged me as the tension and my fears flew out of my eyes in a river of tears.

I was a man, grown up and going through hell and I didn’t care if people in front of the police station saw me break down in my dad’s arms.

“He’s not your family, Wyatt. Your mother, Ava and I are.’’

I nodded and pulled back, rubbing my face to dry my tears as I took a deep breath to force the weight on my chest to leave.

“What happens now?’’

“You’ve given your statement, and I was able to pull some strings, so you’re a witness in this case. For now, that’s all there is to it. You’ll go back home with me, and I’ll keep someone in front of the house until we get a lead on that asshole.’’

“I don’t think I’ve heard you curse so much.’’

“Some people deserve it.’’ His frown didn’t ease up. “You should join your mother and Ava. I’ve had them on the phone, and they’re anxious to see you. Your mom is a mess.’’

“I’d like to call Marissa first. She…’’ I trailed off and watched my father’s face as a smile broke the serious look he had been sporting since he joined me in front of my place that morning.

“You love her, don’t you?’’

“Dad…’’

“Hey, son, life goes on. I don’t blame you, but it’s going to be an interesting talk when you tell Lydia.’’ At my cringe, he laughed and patted my shoulder. “Wait here. Officer Riggs will drive you home.’’

“Alright. And Dad? Thank you for everything. I don’t think I’ve said that enough over the years.’’

“I’m your father, Wyatt. I love you, and I know how you feel. It shows every time you’re with us. I hope you can stop seeing yourself as separate from our family.’’

It’s with a heavy heart that I watched my father walk back inside the police station as I leaned against the wall and waited for the officer.

In a perfect world, all this shit would have given me a brand new perspective, a way to discard my demons and just be. But it wasn’t a perfect world, and my issues were still there. They would always be there unless I started to work on them and stopped hiding behind them whenever fear seized me.

Right then, my phone buzzed in my pants.

Unknown number.

The hair on the back of my head raised.

I brought the phone to my ear and waited. I only heard someone breathing fast.

“You better keep your mouth shut and listen to me,’’ Tim said out of breath. He paused then, expecting me to say something but I couldn’t. I was out of words, out of thoughts. “For once you do what you’re told. It looks like you pissed dear old dad, Wyatt. You shouldn’t have done that, but hey, I’ll love to see you pay for that. If you want to say goodbye to your pretty girl you better hurry.’’

“Wh—‘’

“Shut up, Wyatt. I swear that if you don’t your father is going to put a bullet in her head and she won’t look so pretty then. Go to the last apartment you lived with your father. Better remember the address.’’

And the line went dead.

One of my worst nightmares came to life.

The monster that was my blood had one of the people I loved.

Without a second thought, I ran and ignored Officer Riggs when he walked out and called my name.