50. Macie

Chapter fifty

Macie

M om couldn't stop hugging me and Dad hadn't stopped staring at me, like he was scared if he took his eyes off of me, I might disappear and then he'd never find me again.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Mom asked for the umpteenth time.

"I swear I'm okay. We should probably talk to Relic's dad though. He was the one who pushed me out of the way when Brayden shot at me. The bullet grazed his arm."

My mind hiccupped and I looked in Brayden's direction again. He had been looking at me then forced his gaze away. Anger, shock, betrayal. Part of me wanted to go over and kick the crap out of him like I did Lev's dad. Actually, all of me wanted to do exactly that, and as I took a step toward him, Dad gently snagged my wrist. "I have the same thought, Macie, but we have to let the police handle this."

I met Dad's eyes, saw the unadulterated rage there that matched my own.

"He shot me." I shocked myself with the vile way I said these words.

"I know," Dad said, "And we'll make sure he spends a long time in prison for it."

"He acted like he was my friend." Each word dripped with antagonism.

"He'll get what's coming to him," Dad said. Maybe, but it wouldn't come fast enough.

I scanned the area, searching for Relic, for his dad, and a sense of panic arose when I scanned the area again and neither of them were anywhere to be found. "Relic's gone."

"I'm sure he's here somewhere," Mom said, and Dad called Abby over, asking her if she'd seen where Relic went.

Already feeling edgy, panic surged in my veins, and I took out my phone to call him. My forehead furrowed at his text, and then grief overwhelmed me. "No, no, no, no, no."

Mom slipped to stand in front of me. "Macie, what's wrong?"

"He's gone." The gang. Relic went to join the gang. But that couldn't happen. It couldn't.

Dad . My head jerked up. I needed Dad. I pushed past Mom, practically shoved Abby out of the way, and frantically grabbed hold of my father. "You need to help Relic."

"Okay, Macie," Dad said slowly. "Calm down. Tell me what's wrong."

It was hard to breathe and talk at the same time. "He's joining the gang. Not because he wants to but because he feels like he has to so he can protect his sisters. You have to help him."

Sympathy was etched upon his face, but the way he tilted his head told me a rejection was imminent. "Macie, I have no idea how to—"

"You told me you'd always help me," I shouted. "You told me you'd always be here for me. You said if I ever asked for help that you would. I'm asking. I'm begging. He saved me today. He has saved me since the day I met him. He helped me find me again. I have you and Mom and everyone, and he has no one. We have to help him, Dad. We have to, and I'm asking you because you once didn't have anyone either. So help me. Help him!"