The Rowdy Ones, page 15
He would know what to do in this situation. At the very least, he would demand they let me wash my hands. A sob catches in my throat. I don’t like being here all alone.
A few minutes later, the detective enters the room again. I stiffen, waiting to be grilled with more questions like earlier. But, to my surprise, she sets something down in front of me on the table.
“I grabbed you a bottle of water, hon. I’m trying to locate your cane now and then I’ll show you to the restroom where you can clean up.”
Why the sudden change of demeanor toward me?
“My phone?” I choke out. “I want to call my brother.”
“I’ll get that too,” she assures me. “But don’t worry. Your family has been notified you’re here and are on their way. Chief Knox isn’t on site, but he asked me to see to it that you’re comfortable until they arrive.”
I relax, relieved to finally be treated like a human and not a criminal. “And Weston?”
“We’re still questioning Mr. Simmons,” she says tersely. “Sit tight while I locate your things.”
After what feels like an eternity later, and when my water bottle is completely empty, the detective returns with my cane and phone. I shove the phone into my pocket, eager to get washed up first before calling my brother. She guides me out of the cold, sterile room and into a hallway that’s bustling with activity. I’m shown to the restroom, and thankfully, she stays outside the door. I fumble around until I locate the sink. Then I turn it on and begin profusely scrubbing at my hands.
I’m not sure how long I stand there with my hands under the scalding hot water, but eventually, the woman comes inside and turns the water off.
“Paper towels are over here,” she says gently. “I’m going to get you something from the vending machine. You have a preference on candy?”
Since I don’t have any desire to eat anything at the moment, I shrug off her question. I shakily make my way over to where she said the paper towels were and dry my now throbbing hands. I’m overwhelmed and exhausted and distraught over finding a dead body. I just want to leave this place.
“Come on,” the woman says. “This way to the break room.” She continues to chatter about dumb things like the weather and the upcoming basketball season, which I’m pretty sure she’s doing for my benefit of knowing where to go while following by the sound of her voice.
With my cane sweeping the area in front of me, I trail after her. The break room smells like soggy onions and stale coffee. I slow to a stop and listen as she mashes buttons on what must be the vending machine. Then she hands me a wrapped snack.
It feels like a Snickers bar maybe. I’ve had those a lot. Dad is a fan and Uncle Knox always makes sure to bring them to him when he visits.
“I’m going to take you to the lobby now,” the woman explains, “where you can wait for your family. You just let me know if you need anything else, hon.”
Before we can exit the break room, I hear a commotion down the hall. It’s as if a grizzly bear burst into the police station and is roaring.
“Where the fuck is my sister?”
Rowdy!
Thank God he’s here.
* * *
* * *
I’m fuming as I search the lobby, finding no signs of Destiny.
Uncle Atticus got the call from his brother that she was being held for questioning, but he quickly instructed the detective to release her. We hopped in the truck and hauled ass to the station.
She discovered another body.
And they’re treating her like she was the murderer.
Un-fucking-real.
“Destiny!” I yell, not caring that I’ve drawn the attention of every person here.
“Dogs aren’t allowed—” a police officer calls out to me, but I cut them off with a snarl.
“Service animal,” I bite out. “Mind your business.”
A disheveled blonde in a drab gray outfit emerges from a doorway in the long corridor. As soon as I see the aluminum cane, I know it’s my sister. I bolt down the hall, leaving Uncle Atticus and Wild behind. Scout trots after me, barking at her.
“Rowdy!” she cries out, face splotchy red and teary-eyed.
I snatch her to me like she weighs nothing, crushing her to my chest. The second Uncle Atticus told me what happened, I was stressed the fuck out over her well-being. All I wanted was this. To be here for her and to hold her. Cradling the back of her head, I whisper assurances that everything will be okay. She sobs against my chest. Scout whimpers and whines at our feet, nudging his body against our legs. He can have her later.
She’s mine right now.
“Where are your clothes?” I demand, vibrating with anger toward these people.
“They needed them for evidence.” She hiccups as hysteria takes over. “I thought it was you, Rowdy.”
“I’m right here,” I rumble, kissing the side of her head. “I’m okay. You’re okay. Breathe, sweet Dez.”
Her body trembles and she gasps for breath. She’s freaking the fuck out. I’m so glad I got here when I did.
I scoop her up and don’t give a damn that every person near me is gawking at us. She manages to hold on to her cane while still clinging to me. Her fingernails dig painfully into my neck as though she’s afraid if she lets go, even a little, I’ll disappear.
I’m not going anywhere.
On the way through the lobby, Uncle Atticus nods at me and remote starts his truck. I’m grateful for him and Wild. They can handle the police. I need to comfort my sister. Once outside, I trot along the snowy ground, holding Destiny tight to me in order to keep her warm. After flinging open the back door of the truck, I climb inside with her into the back seat. Scout hops in too.
I’m able to relax a bit. The vehicle is still warm from our drive here, so at least she’s okay temperature wise. With her in my lap and Scout beside us, it’s comfortable. He whimpers, his doggie senses on alert.
It’s okay. We’ve got her now.
“Let me take my coat off,” I tell her gently as I sit up. “I’m going to warm you up.”
She’s shivering wildly and her teeth are chattering. I can’t tell if it’s from the cold or shock. One I can help with. After yanking off my coat, I wrap it around her and pull her back to me. I can’t believe how small she feels in my arms. So fragile and breakable. A delicate flower that could so easily be crushed. Raking my palm over her hair, I do what I can to bring her comfort.
“Talk to me, Dez,” I say when she stops crying so hard. “Tell me everything.”
She’s quiet but eventually begins to speak. “Weston took me there to, uh…”
“To what?”
“Do stuff.”
Rage burns hot in my gut. He what? I knew she was with him, but I didn’t know exactly the where or why. I’d not been tracking her because Uncle Atticus had me helping him with chores and shit. “And did you?”
I hate that I want to beat the fuck out of this guy she’s dating. I do, though. I want to ram my fist against his face until he’s unrecognizable and my fingers are broken.
“No,” she utters, flooding me with relief. “We kissed for a bit and he touched my breast.”
All the relief is gone and I’m back to wanting to kill the fucker.
“It was all wrong, though,” she says, guilt in her voice. “I was trying to do the right thing. With him. But I didn’t want that. I wanted…”
I suck in a breath, aching to hear the words. You. I wanted you.
“Anyway, I stopped it because I couldn’t do it. Needed fresh air. Tripped over a dead body.” She starts to cry again and I squeeze her tight. “I thought it was you.”
Her obsession with me dying is alarming, but I don’t say as much. All that matters now is that I’m alive and she knows that.
“The rest was a blur,” she says softly. “I’m so tired. And hungry. But mostly tired.”
“We’ll get you food soon,” I assure her. “You can rest when we get you back to the cabin.”
Her fingernails claw at me again. “I want to stay in the RV with you. Don’t make me sleep alone.”
As much as I know keeping her near me at night is a bad idea, I nod in agreement. Whatever makes her happy. I just want her to feel safe and cared for.
She relaxes in my hold. Aside from a few sniffles, I think she’s beginning to calm down. I stroke my palms over every part of her within my reach, reassuring her with my touch that she’s safe.
“Were you outside my window last night, Rowdy?”
I freeze, not expecting the question. What will she think if she knows I watched her undress and touch herself? Will she think I’m a freak for jerking off while watching?
The truck doors open, killing any chance for me to answer that question. I kiss the top of her head, silently vowing I’ll answer it later. Truthfully. Wild and Uncle Atticus climb into their seats up front.
“Will was pissed,” Uncle Atticus says, shaking his head. “Went on a tirade in front of everyone on that detective who detained Destiny.”
She stiffens in my arms. I stroke my fingers through her hair to calm her.
“What about Weston?” she rasps out. “Are they letting him go, too?”
“Yes. After the bitch-out, that was Will’s next order of business.”
“I told Unc they should hire more competent officers,” Wild chimes in, jerking his head back to look at me, flashing me a knowing grin.
“Can we go home now?” I grumble. “Destiny needs to shower and sleep. She’s had a rough day.”
“I’m starving,” Wild says. “Can we grab burgers on the way home?”
“Your mom is making food and you’ll eat it. You can wait.”
The rest of the drive back, I hold my sister. I know a conversation about last night is inevitable, but for now, I want to enjoy holding her. It’s selfish to want her to need my comfort, but I get to touch her guilt-free.
“No.”
I glower down at Aunt Eve, unable to comprehend her word. “What do you mean, no?”
“I. Said. No.”
Thankfully, Destiny is in the shower. Otherwise, we might have a meltdown right about now.
“Why the hell not?” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest, voice rising.
“Rowdy,” Uncle Atticus warns from the kitchen. “Tone it the fuck down.”
Is he serious right now?
“I want her in the RV with me where I can keep her safe,” I say again through gritted teeth. “It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.”
So I guess we’re doing this. I’m having a battle of wills with the woman who birthed the most stubborn guy I know.
“I said no,” Aunt Eve growls. “No, Rowdy, no. How many other times do you need to hear it? No.”
The twins parrot her, saying the word “no” over and over again until it makes my ears bleed.
“I’m not sticking around for this,” Wild says after polishing off the rest of his dinner. “I’m out.”
My supposed best friend abandons me to deal with his unreasonable family.
“She’s upset,” I grind out, trying to reason with the tiny woman glowering up at me. “She needs me.”
Aunt Eve pokes me in the gut. “You are a big man. She’s young and small. I don’t want you alone with her.”
Okay, so now she’s pissing me off.
“She’s my sister.” My jaw muscle ticks with fury. “It’s my duty to protect her, not harm her. What exactly do you think I’m going to do to her?”
Guilt must shine in my eyes because Aunt Eve bares her teeth at me.
“You are not her husband. You are her brother. You don’t share a bed with her!”
Uncle Atticus thankfully intervenes, pulling his furious wife into his arms. “Our house means our rules, Rowdy. Destiny stays in the room we’ve provided for her. She’s not sleeping in the RV with you. Simple as that.”
A storm of fury and humiliation whips around inside me as I try to think of an argument I can win. But neither of them is budging. They’re worse than my parents. Overprotective and strong-willed.
“Can I stay with her here then?” I ask, defeated.
“No.” Aunt Eve bores her gaze into me, daring me to argue.
I fucking want to.
“Maybe we should go back home,” I threaten, feeling like an insolent child.
“Because your father will be much more accommodating,” Aunt Eve deadpans. Then her lips twitch. “He dealt with my brothers and father. He would deal with you the same way.”
No one talks about Aunt Eve’s family much, but I know they all died. What I didn’t now until now, though, is that my father was responsible.
“Why do you think I’m going to hurt her?” I ask, chest cracking down the middle. “I would never.”
Uncle Atticus softens first. “We don’t,” he assures me. “But it’s not appropriate. You can see her first thing in the morning. Take her to the clinic if you want. You two just aren’t sleeping in the same bed together.”
My face is hot and I know I’m red from embarrassment. It probably makes me look guilty as fuck, too.
“Can I at least tell her goodbye?” My voice is tight with emotion.
They both nod.
I pace the hallway outside of Destiny’s room, waiting for her to get out of the shower. Finally, she exits with a towel on her head and dressed in oversized clothes. The college logo on the hoodie indicates they likely belong to Wild.
I stalk over to her and then guide her into her bedroom. Her eyebrows are pinched together in worry as she tilts her head up toward me.
“They’re not going to let you stay in the RV,” I say quickly, cupping her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I fought hard, but they’re not going to give in.”
She frowns at me, bottom lip wobbling. “But you said…”
Fuck.
A tear streaks down her cheek and I swipe it away with my thumb. “Dez, don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be.”
“I’ll tell them this is my decision,” she says, voice trembling. “They can’t tell us what to do.”
I groan and kiss her wet cheek. “They can.”
She hugs me tight, clinging to me. I wish I could scoop her up and carry her off like I want to.
“Please,” she begs through her tears. “Come get me. When they go to sleep.”
As soon as she mentions it, the idea takes root in my brain. What they don’t know won’t hurt them. I find myself nodding in agreement and murmuring that I will.
“Okay. Turn your lamp off when you think they’ve gone to sleep. I’ll come get you then.”
She sighs happily. “Thank you.”
I pull away from her, knowing it should be quick like ripping off a Band-Aid. This need to touch her is intense and it’s difficult to combat. My fingers twitch with the urge to yank her back to me.
I’m reminded of the addictive song the heroin used to sing to me.
Warm, blissful, aching.
It was always there, begging me.
Just like Destiny.
Fuck, I’m hooked on the drug that is her.
And I want to imbibe until she’s inside every part of me, owning my heart, body, and motherfucking soul.
“See you tonight, sweet Dez.”
Her smile is my undoing.
* * *
* * *
“The news is calling him the Brawny Slasher.”
I’m grateful Weston called me to let me know he’s fine, but now I’m just ready to end our call so I can go see Rowdy. “Why?”
“All the men killed weren’t small by any means. They were big and brawny. To be able to take down, beat unrecognizable, and sodomize those victims, the perp would have had to have been at least the same size or larger.”
I shudder at what the latest guy must’ve been thinking when he was attacked. “Do you think they knew their killer or if it was random?”
“Mom thinks they had to have known their killer,” Weston says, voice breathy with excitement. Maybe he’s still running on adrenaline after our crazy afternoon and evening. “It could be they were meeting to hook up or something and then the killer surprised and overpowered them.”
When my fingers slid into the gaping hole of the man’s neck, I was immediately traumatized. He was dead and I inadvertently, while searching for a pulse, stuck my fingers inside him. Bile creeps up my throat and I swallow it down.
“Have they released the names of the victims yet?” I stroke my fingers through Scout’s fur, happy to have him near me. “I feel so bad for their families.”
“Chief Knox spoke on the news earlier. He said they’ve identified them all but are waiting until they can get in touch with their families before releasing the names.”
I don’t want to ask Weston, but I do it anyway because I need to know. “Did the victim look like Rowdy?”
He’s quiet for a beat and then sighs. “Same height and physique, yeah. The hair color was close too.”
“If they don’t catch this guy, he could be next,” I choke out, fear swelling inside me. “This is terrifying.”
The urge to go to Rowdy is greater now. I want off the phone and in his arms right away.
“I should get to bed,” I tell him with a fabricated yawn.
“Yeah, of course. I’m beat too.” He pauses for a second and then huffs. “Sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought we were on the same page about fooling around.”
Oh God.
I really wanted to avoid this conversation until at least tomorrow.
“We were,” I rattle out. “But then I wasn’t feeling it. To be honest, Weston, I really like you, but as a friend. I’m not sure I’m ready to be romantically involved with anyone right now.”
Not true…
My skin heats as I continue. “I’m sorry if I led you on.”
“Wow.” He makes a choked sound of disbelief. “I’m such an idiot.”
“No. Don’t say that. This is my fault.”
“I really thought we had a connection, Destiny.”
“We did…we do. But as friends.” I wince because it sounds awful. “Please don’t be mad.”
