Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 9
“I threw a fit. Charles waited until I was outside the courtroom to start punishing me for embarrassing him. He punched me in the face several times before I fell to the ground, then he started kicking me. He kept me on the ground until he was certain Heather and Marcus had left.
Even though I had driven my own car to court he dragged me to his. He drove me home, only he didn’t go to the garage. No, he went to the back of the west wing where the room he modified for Cole is. I’ve only been in that room a handful of times when participating in my brother’s torture.”
I stop as the memories of wrapping the silver belt around his leg and the condition he was in when I rescued him eight months ago blend together in a confusing mess. Murmurs float around the room, commenting on my unprompted confession.
“Breathe, Andre. That was a very difficult truth to admit to. No comments will be made.”
I know he’s addressing the pack as I continue to struggle.
“You knew what was going to happen to you.” Julius whispers. I shake my head.
“Not what would happen. Just what the room was used for. Charles had to back off his beatings on Cole because Kris damn near killed him when he kidnapped him from Ridge General Halloween morning. By that time in January I don’t think he had returned to his room from Dr. Johnston’s house. I knew that it would be bad. Fortunately, I don’t remember much.”
“What do you remember?” Dr. Stewart gently pushes me along.
“He shoved me into the back seat and the door wouldn’t open from the inside which effectively trapped me until he opened it. He dragged me by my hair into the building and subdued me with a bat after he locked the doors.”
“Anything else.”
“No sir.” I shake my head while looking at Julius. “I woke up in Red General ten days later.”
“You were out of contact a lot longer than that.” Julius states.
“We didn’t hear from you for nearly two months.” His voice is laced with concern.
“Yes sir.” I agree. “The hospital kept me for ten days after I woke before transferring me back to the medical wing. Dr. Johnston took over my care but he said staying in the wing would be dangerous for me and he didn’t care for the prison-like state it would require me to be in.
I ended up moving in with him for three weeks. I found out during that time that dad brought me to him clad in only my boxers. Told him to make certain I survived as the council would beat him raw if they found out he killed the heir to the pack. He admitted to getting carried away with my punishment and I was to receive the best care. No caps on the money. He did several tests in the wing and when he saw how bad it was he immediately sent me to the hospital. I was surprised to find that the clothes he tore off of me were placed on my bed, my cell still in my pants pocket. It was dead but at least it was there undamaged.”
“That’s when you got back with me, asking for help getting Cole out.”
“Yes sir. Only nothing went right and I failed to protect him just like I failed my kids.”
“As difficult as it is, you need to concentrate on the fact that he’s alive and free. Just like your kids. They are alive and with you now. The most important thing right now is showing them they can trust us. It will take time but I’m proud of you. You have shared something very dark and brutal. It explains everything.”
All I can do is nod as I try to process everything that’s happening.
“Are you afraid of the hospital like your brother?”
I cock my head slightly at the random question.
“No sir. I haven’t endured the horrors Cole has at the hands of the medical staff.”
“While this is sudden I want you admitted to the hospital wing with your kids.”
I nod as my mental health isn’t something I want to handle on my own.
“Alexis, I need you to take note of what I need done.”
“Yes sir.” She pulls her phone from her pocket.
“Start when you’re ready.”
She states one second before she touches a button on her phone.
“It may take several days to get done but I feel that this will protect all of them in the end. I need you to contact Red General to find out what they need to get Andre’s entire medical history. I want everything that’s been recorded by every doctor he’s ever seen. We haven’t done one on him yet but I need a full physical on Andre. Make note of every mark on his body and send blood off. Send preliminary panels first and further investigate anything that comes back abnormal. I need the same for the kids; medical history, physicals and blood work.”
She’s nodding as he speaks.
“Alpha, I need something from you.” I ask slowly.
“No fear, Andre. You can trust me.”
I take a deep breath.
“I don’t inherit the pack’s money until I’m alpha. Could you run a blood based paternity test on the kids?”
He watches me closely.
“You said in the hospital that the tests ran when they were born came back yours. You have doubts now?”
He struggles to understand my request. I shake my head.
“When they were born the purpose of the test was to give him permission to punish me for their existence. With everything he’s done to separate me from them….” I trail off with a sigh. “There’s nothing he won’t tamper with which brings me to my second request.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t know if he’ll do it but I need to talk to Dr. Carter. He has a separate medical file on Cole. One where every injury he’s ever had has been recorded. I need that file before Dr. Carter leaves for New York. I know I’m asking a lot but the least I can do for Cole is to get an unaltered copy of the hell he’s lived through to Dr. Black.”
I’m surprised to see him nodding when I look up.
“Alexis, add the paternity test to the blood work and when you speak to them about Andre’s records inquire about him speaking with Dr. Carter.”
Somehow everything starts calming down at a rate that I can handle.
“Hayden, I know you’re scared but your father needs to get up off the floor. I will try my best not to hurt you but I would appreciate it if you could let me hold you.”
He whines and struggles to force himself even further against me.
“It’s okay. We’re all going to the same place.” I reassure him.
Julius stands first holding his hands out towards me. I turn Hayden and with only a few whimpers, manage to hand him off to Julius.
“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” I can hear him trying to settle Hayden’s fear.
I pick myself up off the floor and stand in front of Julius. I startle badly when my mate slips her hand into mine but the pleasing tingles of the bond only serve to settle my fright just as quickly. Julius places his free hand on my face.
“I think we’ve been through enough for tonight. There is more we need to talk about but let’s give it a few days. I’ve already taken care of the most urgent of the second situation.”
All I can do is nod. I’m completely overwhelmed and exhausted from today’s events. What more can a person handle? I sigh hard as I turn and face my mate. She uses her toes to push herself up to me. Her kiss is soft and surprisingly calming. I look back at Julius to find my son has fallen asleep on his shoulder with Julius gently caressing the tips of his unusually long hair.
“Harper?” I speak as I search the crowd.
“She fell asleep, sir. If you don’t mind, I can carry her to the wing.” I nod with a sigh of relief.
“Come.” Kiara encourages me gently, pulling me towards the west wing. I turn slowly and let her lead me to where the kids and I will stay. At least for the next few days.
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