38. Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three

J esse kept a close eye on Cannon in the SUV. She and Cannon were riding with War and Remi. Flick and Stella were with Bear, Scoop, and Sarah. Beth, Winnie, Locks, and Baron were in the third vehicle. Roam, Dex, Booker, Rascal, and Twist were on protection detail for all the kids and women who stayed behind.

Regina had wanted to come but Baron had convinced her to stay just in case things went south and they needed someone to bring bail money. Jesse had smiled at that because there was no way any of her sisters would allow them to get taken in.

War's phone rang and he answered it. Remi was driving because she'd recognized the area and knew exactly where they were going. War wasn't saying much besides uh-huh and yes. He turned toward Cannon after hanging up.

"Brew recognized your dad from the picture. He was sitting outside a truck with a camper on the back. He killed the motor on the bike and told your dad he was having trouble with it. Bootstrap says he doesn't see a kid, but he could be in the camper. Brew's chatting with him. Bootstrap says once we're close that he'll ride his bike up to check on Brew. When we pull in, they'll restrain your dad. He's parked at the end of the road with no other campers around."

Jesse watched Cannon nod. She hoped he wasn't thinking what she was. His father was parked far away enough no one could hear the little boy scream when he was abused.

"Tell them we're less than ten minutes out," Remi said.

War texted the group.

Code Chandler t-ten .

Cannon reached to hold her hand. His foot was tapping nervously, and he was scanning as they drove. He seemed hyper aware, and she couldn't blame him. In minutes, he'd be in front of his greatest nightmare. She decided her only job was to keep Cannon from killing his father. Not because she thought he should be saved but because Cannon didn't need the guilt on his conscience.

Bootstrap texted that there seemed to be drug paraphernalia on the picnic table at the site. Jesse only hoped the little boy was okay. Well, as okay as he could be with an abusive father who was a psychopath.

"T-five. Tell Bootstrap to go now." Remi said.

War relayed the message, and Jesse leaned against Cannon. "Whatever we find, we'll deal with together."

Cannon nodded. "I know."

"Two minutes out. Everybody get ready." Remi warned.

The vehicle swerved as Remi took the turn to the campsite. She didn't slow down. Jesse glanced over and saw Remi was going forty-five. Jesse didn't worry about Remi taking the dirt road too fast. Locks had had them all learn defensive driving. As the camper came into view, Remi slammed on the brakes, turning the wheel and sliding into the space behind the guys' bikes. Brew and Bootstrap had Cannon's father held down in his chair.

Cannon flicked his belt and was out of the vehicle, running toward the camper. Jesse followed with Remi and War. Cannon had the back open and Jesse fought to not reel back from the stench. Old food was mixed with what Jesse could only assume was dirty diapers. Cannon hadn't flinched but had crawled into the camper.

"Hey little buddy, I'm your brother. Do you want to come outside and get a cookie and some milk?" Cannon asked in the same soft voice he used with their girls.

Jesse tried to see around Cannon, but it was too dark in the back.

"Oh buddy, we can take your wet shirt off. My friend has a clean shirt and a teddy bear you can cuddle."

Cannon held his hand back behind him and Flick put the clothing he'd brought with him along with a clean diaper.

"Is your leg hurt? Do you want me to lift you?"

Jesse tamped her anger down at Cannon's words. She moved back as Cannon scooted to the edge of the camper. She knew how big three-year-olds should be and this boy was undernourished. Cannon sat on the bed of the camper.

"Buddy, these are my friends. Let's clean off your hands and then you can drink some milk and eat the cookie while my friend looks at your owie."

Jesse grabbed the wipes they'd brought and cleaned his hands, trying not to scare him. His hair looked dark like Cannon's, but it could be the grime making his hair darker. From the smell and his looks, it had been ages since he'd had a bath. Flick walked over and handed the boy the cookie and set the sippy cup of milk beside him.

"Hi, buddy. Can you point to where it hurts?" Flick asked.

Jesse waited to see where he pointed. He took a tentative bite of the cookie and then pointed at his thigh. Flick had his penlight as he always did, though she wasn't sure why. Flick ran his gloved finger lightly over where the boy indicated.

"It looks like you got a bruise. Anywhere else hurt?"

The boy rubbed his tummy. Flick slowly reached and lifted his shirt. His little belly was so skinny. Flick ran his hands along his tummy, touching different places, but the little boy didn't flinch. Then put his stethoscope in his ear and listened to the boy's belly.

"Does your tummy hurt because you're hungry?" Flick asked.

The boy nodded.

"We can fix that," Cannon said. Cannon glanced at her and she could see the fury in his eyes.

"Cannon, do you want to introduce me to your buddy so I could hold him? I didn't know if you needed to speak with anyone else?"

She waited for Cannon to decide, then he nodded.

"Not for anything besides closure. Buddy, can my friend hold you for a second?"

The boy nodded. She held her hands out and Cannon handed him to her. "We're going to go sit in the car for a little bit. You let me know if you need me."

Cannon nodded, kissed her on the cheek, and headed toward his father.

Cannon was livid, but he'd already decided that he wasn't hitting or beating up his father. It wouldn't change how he'd been treated, and his father would just believe Cannon had grown up like him. Plus, if there were enough drugs, hopefully he would go to jail. Remi had said he had a record.

He walked toward the man who'd been so big when he was little. Now all he saw was a man who wasn't worth anything. He still lived in the same vehicle and camper Cannon had grown up in. The truck had to be over forty years old because it wasn't new when Cannon lived there. His father was as dirty as his little brother was.

He stopped at the table and looked to where the paperwork was in front of his father. Remi and War were standing there, along with the others.

"Sign the paperwork and I won't pursue charges of child abuse against you," Cannon said.

"Moss, can't see me alone, can you? Have to have someone else stand up for you."

Cannon chuckled. If that was all his father could say against him, Cannon would take it.

"No. I have no problem standing up to you. These people are here because they are family. Family loves you. Family takes care of you and family has your back. I'm not going to waste my breath trying to explain it to someone who will never understand. Now, sign the papers or I will spend my considerable wealth making sure you go to jail for child abuse."

His father stared at him, then picked up the pen and signed his name. "Fuckin' kid's been a drain anyway. Life will be easier without him."

Remi called Locks over to sign as a notary. He had to hand it to the Franks sisters. They covered their bases. Once Remi deemed the paperwork was in order, she handed it to him.

"If you don't have anything left to say to him, then Locks and Flick will drive you all back. War and I will stay along with a couple others to finish out our business. With what was in the cab along with what's on the table, it's distribution, and it's his third strike."

Cannon nodded. "Thanks. I hope you get everything you ever deserved where you're going."

Cannon walked toward the vehicle and glanced at the papers. His brother's name was Henry. Henry seemed like a huge name for a kid. Maybe he'd like to be called Hank. If not, Henry was perfect too. Cannon paused for a second on the way back to the vehicle. He had three kids. He chuckled, then walked on toward his future. He'd need to get Hank something for the wedding since they'd be a family.