Key to Hell (Hell Night Series Book 4), page 21
Her eyes widen, and her hand drops further. “Who are you?” She repeats her earlier question.
Trouble takes a tentative step forward; his hands palm out in front of him as if to calm the girl.
“Do you remember Sweet Haven?”
Her body jerks. I tense, prepared to shove Trouble away in case she raises the gun again. Thankfully, she doesn’t.
“Yes,” she whispers. “I-I used to live there.”
Trouble looks at me, then back to Melody, taking another step in her direction.
“So did we.” Her throat bobs as she swallows. “You were only eight years old when your father took you from Sweet Haven, so you may not remember us. I’m Trouble”—he jerks his head my way—“and this is Emo.”
Her eyes widen and her lips part. Her brows pull down in concentration as she flicks her eyes back and forth between Trouble and me, looking at us closely.
“Elijah?” She squints when she looks at me. “Aziah?”
I can hear the smile in Trouble’s voice when he speaks. “Yes. That’s us. Why don’t you come out of the closet and we’ll talk downstairs?”
After a brief moment of hesitation, she nods. The hand holding the gun drops to her side, and it’s then that I notice she’s wearing black latex gloves, just like me and Trouble.
“We need to wrap this up and get the hell out of here,” I comment as we walk back down the stairs. “Someone could have heard her shoot him, so the cops could be hot on our ass any minute.”
“No one heard me.” I raise a brow. “Even if the suppressor didn’t silence the shot enough, no one in this neighborhood would call it in. Having cops around is the last thing anyone who lives here wants.”
“That may be so, but I don’t want to chance it.”
We all stop in the kitchen and turn to face each other.
“That was your father,” Trouble states.
Melody shoves the gun in the back of her pants and pulls her shirt over it. “Yes.”
“We’ve been trying to find you for years.”
Tilting her head to the side, she inquires, “Why?”
“Because we wanted to make sure you were okay. We knew Charles took you with him the night Sweet Haven was raided. What happened?”
She swallows and clears her throat, looking down at her shoes before lifting her head. “I was with him until I was sixteen. I managed to get a cash under the table job and saved money. Once I had enough, I ran away. I don’t know how, but he found me again a couple of years ago. He held me captive for a year before I got away again.” She looks off to the side, something painful crossing her face. “Two months after I left, I found out I was pregnant.” She looks back at us, her expression set in stone. “I knew the only way I could keep my daughter and myself safe was to kill him.”
“Jesus,” Trouble mutters.
My own temper is boiling hot. I wish I could revive the dead fucker just so I could slaughter him.
“Why didn’t you go to the authorities as soon as you got away the first time?”
“Because I was a terrified sixteen-year-old girl who had been under her abusive father’s thumb all her life. I had no friends and didn’t know who I could trust.” She looks around the shitty kitchen filled with dirty dishes, rotten food, and crusted counters. “From the age of nine, this is where I grew up. My father ingrained in me that all cops were bad. I was put in my room when he had people over, but I heard all kinds of stories of the police abusing people, so that only solidified what he told me.” She sighs and rubs her arms. “I know better now. I know it was just a ploy to keep me from reporting what he was doing to me.”
“Why not report it when you got away the second time?”
She looks at me and grinds her teeth. “Because I wanted him dead, not behind bars.”
I jerk my chin up, respecting her reason. All people like Charles should be put down.
“Where’s your daughter now?” Trouble asks.
“With my fiancé.”
“Does he know what you’re doing right now?”
She shakes her head. “No. He thinks I’m out with friends.” She pauses. “What were you two doing here?”
I glance to Trouble then to her, unsure why, but wanting to give her the truth. Maybe it’s the hardness in her eyes or knowing that the horror she went through is so similar to Rella’s.
“Attempting to do the same thing you did, except a lot messier.”
“Too bad you didn’t get here first,” she mutters. “I would have liked to have seen that.”
It comes as no surprise she’s so bloodthirsty.
“Are you safe where you are now? This fiancé, does he treat you and your daughter right?”
For the first time, her expression softens. She slides her eyes to Trouble. “He treats us both like precious treasure.”
He pulls his wallet out of his pocket and retrieves a card. “If that changes or you need help of any kind, my cell phone number is on there,” he says, handing the card to her. “You can call me anytime.”
“Thank you.” She takes the card, and after looking at it for a moment, shoves it into her front pocket.
“We need to go,” I state, becoming antsy. I don’t like being here with a dead body upstairs. Melody said the neighbors wouldn’t call the police, but I’m not willing to bank our freedom on that.
We leave through the same door we came in. Melody protests when Trouble suggests we walk her to her car, worried she may run into problems. This neighborhood is gang-ridden and full of criminals.
“I’ll be fine. I promise. I’ve navigated these streets a lot and know what to do to blend in and how to stay hidden.”
He likes the idea just slightly less than I do, but he gives her a clipped nod before she jogs off.
Thank fuck half of the streetlights have blown out and haven’t been replaced. It’s easier to stay in the shadows.
“I don’t know what it is, but there’s something strange about her,” he comments as we make our way back to our rental car.
“I got the same vibe.”
Aside from the initial nervousness when we first found her in the closet, Melody was too put-together to be just a woman who killed her abuser. She should have been a nervous wreck, possibly crying hysterically. Her hand may have been trembling when she held the gun, but she knew exactly how to handle the weapon. Without looking, she knew where the safety was and how to flip it off and on. And the way she easily slid the gun into the back waistband of her pants looked natural, like she had done it a hundred times. And the suppressor. Those aren’t easily found.
“I’ll have JW look into it once we’re back in Malus.”
Back at the car, we take off back to the hotel we’re staying in. Tomorrow morning, we’ll board our plane and touch down in San Antonio at three thirty. An hour and a half after that, we’ll be home. We left yesterday evening and have been gone a little over twenty-four hours. It feels more like a week.
“How did things go with Rella?”
I clench my teeth. “She found me in the tub with my arms torn to shreds.” There’s no sense in lying to him. Although I won’t be telling him about having his sister hit me with the belt. He’d probably shoot me and dump my body on the side of the road. I also won’t be telling him about the shower and kiss. That’s none of his business.
“Goddammit, Emo,” he growls, his knuckles turning white on the steering wheel. “She doesn’t need that shit added to her plate.”
“I didn’t want her to see it either, but you let her leave your house,” I retort angrily.
“She’s a fucking adult. I can’t keep her there. Besides, she was worried about you, and you weren’t answering your phone when she called.”
“Because I needed time to think.”
“Yeah, well, you took too long.” He releases a sigh and shakes his head. “Anyway, it looked like everything was good when I got there.”
My heart starts to race when I remember the shower we took, even though that’s not what he’s referring to. I can still feel her lips on mine and taste the sweet flavor of her tongue. I wish I could erase the memory, but a small part of me doesn’t want to. I want to hold on to it forever and never let it go.
“Everything’s fine now,” I grit out.
My fingers twitch, the need to touch my key lingering in the forefront of my mind. But I refrain from doing so, remembering Rella’s request. When I told her I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t use the key anymore, it was the truth. That piece of metal has been an extension of me for so long, I’m not sure how to function without it. I’m not sure I want to function without it.
One thing I do know: once Rella discovers what that key unlocks, it’ll change both of our lives forever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
RELLA
REMI AND I SIT AT THE table as she watches over Elijah as he eats. Only half the food makes it into his mouth, the other half on his face and floor. It’s both utterly adorable and poignant to watch him eat, knowing I’ll never be able to do the same with my own child.
“Have you heard from Trouble?” I ask, pulling my head away from the depressing thoughts.
Using a dish rag, she begins cleaning Elijah’s hands. “A few hours ago. They had just boarded their second flight.” She looks down at the time on her phone. “They should have landed in San Antonio about an hour ago.”
I drum my fingernails on the table, anxiety pulling at my nerves.
“How many times have they done this?”
“Since we’ve been together?” she asks, glancing at me, frowning and chewing on her lip. “Nine times. Although not all of them have been for Sweet Haven citizens. They went after a few people who they received phone calls about.”
Nine times. Nine times they could have been caught and carted off to jail for murder. My gut clenches at the thought. I firmly believe those people got what they deserved, but not at the expense of Aziah, Trouble, JW, or Judge’s freedom.
“How are you sitting here not freaking out? I’m on the verge of getting hives just thinking about one of them getting caught.”
She unhooks Elijah’s highchair tray and pulls him onto her lap, then smiles at me. It doesn’t reach her eyes. “Believe me, I’m freaking out on the inside, but I’ve got Elijah to take care of, so I can’t let it affect me. All I can do is hope and pray they come back safe and sound.”
“Have you ever asked Trouble to stop doing it?”
“I’ve thought about it, but no. What they do is important to them. And I can’t help but think of all the people they’re saving. I wouldn’t ever want what happened to me and the little girl who was there with me to happen to someone else.”
My heart aches for Remi. Not only was she raped by her best friend’s father, but she also walked in on him raping a twelve-year-old little girl.
I reach out and lay my hand over hers. It’s getting easier to touch people. “I’m so sorry that happened to you,” I say softly.
“Thank you.” She kisses the top of Elijah’s head. “It’s strange, because my heart breaks for the little girl who was in that bedroom with me. I’d do anything to take away the horror she endured. My pain was nowhere near what hers was. Phillip had her for days.” She looks down at her son, lovingly smoothing down his hair. “But I don’t regret for a second having Elijah. He’s the only good thing that came out of that nightmare.”
I nod, commiserating with her. How can you regret something that’s precious and you love with your whole heart? But also, how can you not regret the horrifying experience that gave you that special gift? It’s an impossible thought.
“Trouble and I are thinking about trying to get pregnant.”
I jerk my eyes up from Elijah. Love shines brightly in Remi’s dreamy gaze.
“That’s wonderful news!” I say sincerely. Even though a small pinch of pain takes up residence in my heart, I would never wish anything but happiness for Trouble and Remi. I’ll just have to spoil Elijah and any of their future babies rotten. “I’m so happy for you both.”
She laughs lightly. “Don’t start celebrating yet. We’re only just talking about it now. It could be months, or even years, before we get pregnant.”
I love how she says “we get pregnant.” Like it’s not only her that will be carrying the baby, but Trouble as well.
I grin. “No matter when it happens, I already can’t wait.”
She smiles so big it takes up half of her face. “Me neither. Elijah will always be my first love and will have a special place in my heart, but I can’t wait to have a child that’s part of both me and Trouble.”
I can just imagine a dark-haired little girl with pretty green eyes running around, chasing after her big brother.
I hold out my arms for Elijah. “Come see your aunt Rella.” He squeals as Remi hands him over. I bounce him on my legs as Remi cleans the highchair tray.
“Will you tell me about Grace?”
She stops wiping down the seat and lifts her eyes to me. “What do you want to know?”
Elijah grabs my hands and claps them together. “She and Aziah were together, right?”
“Yes and no.” Remi takes the rag and rinses it before turning to face me, leaning back against the counter. “They weren’t together like a couple or anything. For Emo, I think it was more of a physical thing. I don’t know much about it, but I think she….” She pauses and sighs. “It’s hard to explain.”
“Please try,” I ask softly. I don’t know why I need to know; I just do.
“You know about the key, right? How he uses it to hurt himself?”
I nod. She comes to the table and takes a seat, placing her clasped hands on the surface. Her face is a mask of concentration as she stares off across the room before bringing her eyes to me.
“I don’t know how he was before, but I’m sure you know Emo lives in a dark place. His mind is full of all the evil that was done to him and what he was forced to do to you. He holds immense guilt over that.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. What she’s saying isn’t anything I don’t know, but I still hate hearing it. “Pain is his outlet. I think it’s the only way to gain relief from the darkness, even if it is temporary. What he had with Grace…. I think she gave him that pain when he needed it.”
Bile rises in my throat, and I have to take several deep breaths to keep it down. Something raw settles in my chest. Not only because of the pain Aziah purposely puts himself through, but also the thought of him being with another woman. It’s stupid and unreasonable to feel that way, but I still hate it.
“How?” I ask hoarsely.
Remi frowns. “I don’t think—”
“Please tell me.” I look at her pleadingly.
After a moment, she lets out a low breath. “I don’t know for sure, but I think Emo has her hurt him.”
Tears spring to my eyes, and my pulse begins to race as I remember the night in Aziah’s basement. How he had me hit him with the belt. The scars I saw on his back; some were newer than others. He confirmed some of the scars were from his father, but the others… they came from Grace. In my heart, I know they did.
I only met the woman once, and she seemed nice enough, but now I despise her. How could she do such a thing? How could she hurt someone so much it leaves scars behind?
I don’t realize I’m crying and shaking until Remi reaches over and settles her hand on top of mine. She gently takes Elijah from my lap and settles him on hers, then pulls her chair closer to mine.
“I can see what you’re thinking. It wasn’t Grace’s fault.”
“How can you say that?” I scrub my hand under my eyes. “She hurt him.”
“Only because he asked her to. Only because that’s what he needed to release some of the darkness inside him.” She grabs my hand again and squeezes it. “Listen to me, Rella. I know for a fact that it hurt Grace emotionally when she had to do those things. She and I never talked about it, but every time she was with him, I saw it in her eyes. It haunted her.”
“But why would she keep doing it if it bothered her so much?”
She sits back and disengages Elijah’s fingers from her hair. “Because I think she really cares for him. Sometimes we hurt the ones we love when we know the alternative is a lot worse.”
Her words hit me hard, because that’s exactly what Aziah did when we were children. He let his father force him to have sex with me because if he didn’t, his father would have done it himself. And yes, that would have been a thousand times worse.
“Do you….” I glance down at my fingers and realize I’ve picked the cuticles so much they’re bleeding. I lift my head. “Do you think she loves him?”
Remi’s expression softens, and a knowing look enters her eyes. “I do, or at least I think she thinks she does.” My expression drops. “But I don’t believe he feels the same way about her. I’m sure he cares about her, but only as much as a friend cares about another friend.”
A huge weight lifts off my chest. I don’t want Aziah to love another woman. At least not in a romantic way. Deep down inside, I want that only reserved for me.
Remi gets up and carries Elijah over to his walker. After she settles him in it, she stops by the fridge, grabs a couple bottles of water, and brings them back to the table. She slides one to me.
“Now it’s my turn to ask you a question. Is there something going on between you and Emo?”
I grab the bottle of water, twist the cap, and take a long swallow, giving myself time to think about her question.
Would the kiss last night in the shower constitute something going on between Aziah and me? It felt like it to me, but I’m not sure about him. He said he enjoyed it, but that doesn’t mean he enjoyed it enough to do it again. Or enough to form a relationship.
I set the bottle down on the table. “I don’t know, to be honest. We kissed last night, and for the first time, I felt something strange happen inside me. The feeling was good.”
“Do you want something to happen between you?”
“I think so.” I nod. “Yes, I do. But I don’t know if he does.”
A small smile appears on her face. “I think he does.”
My eyes widen. “You do?”
