Eye of the Storm -SAFE HOUSE BOOK 2-

29

When Sunday rolled around, she had almost lost hope. It wasn't until a car pulled up outside the house that she got to her feet and ran outside. "Dad," she called to Jamie, allowing him to catch her in his arms and press a soft kiss to the top of her head. She had missed his strong, warm arms. She had missed feeling at home in them.

Jamie spun her around, glad to have his daughter back in his arms. "I'm sorry you had to leave, but everything is worked out now. Let's get your things and we'll go pick up your brother, okay," he checked in, referring to Austin. She had missed him. Was he okay, wherever he was? Did he make out as well as she did? Briana grabbed her backpack as Jamie talked to Maggie, getting acquainted. She could feel her heart race as she sprinted back down to him, ready to get home.

"Maybe I can come to visit you sometime. This doesn't have to be goodbye forever," she promised the boys, who hid their faces when Jamie waved to them. Briana ruffled their hair before offering her final goodbyes and closing the door behind her. Jamie's car was clean and familiar as she slid into the passenger seat, bags sitting in the trunk. As he turned onto the main road, Jamie reached over and put a hand on her shoulder, only lingering for a split second.

She felt so right, going back to the Carters' house. They were her family, weren't they? They loved her, picked her up when she was down. They made promises and kept them, instead of denying it when the time finally came to follow through. In this moment, she found herself thinking of her past less and less. She hoped that this family would learn to accept and love her just as she had with them. She hoped they would see that she was just another girl, ready to have a good, stable home life.

Despite her joy, Briana's heart was pounding. How had Austin been, without her? She had never been able to get a hold of him, and that scared her. Where was he? She had never been able to find out. Had he been able to get to the safe hose? No. He would have told her if he had. He would have told her everything. It wasn't long before they pulled up at a house on the other side of town. "Oh my god, I know this house," Jamie said, voice just loud enough for her to hear his whisper.

She didn't ask what he meant as she got out of the car, seeing something or someone blur past in the window. Briana swallowed hard, clenching her fists tight. Something wasn't right, she could feel it. A crash was heard inside, but she couldn't see what was going on. Where was Austin? Was he hurt? Who was in there with him? "No! I'm sorry! Please, Lewis! I'm sorry," someone cried, voice sounding deeper and much unlike her best friend as it cried out. Then, a light flickered. One, two, three. Briana's heart started pounding.

"Dad, get him out of there, now!" Briana lost her breath, fighting to step forward as shock washed over her. He was in trouble. All she had to do was get in and get him out. She didn't have to stay any longer than that. Austin needed her, and she made a promise. She swore, at a young age, that they would always be there for each other. Who would she be if she went back on her word all these years later? What kind of a friend would that make her? Wouldn't she have failed at caring about him? Wouldn't it make her a villain in the story where she had always tried so hard to be the hero?

Pushing her hair back behind her ears, she felt tears filling her eyes. She couldn't let herself fall apart; she had come this far. What were a few more steps in her journey? Briana took one deep breath and sprinted for the door. "Briana, no! You have to stay here, it's dangerous," Jamie called, pulling her back. She struggled against his weight, but Briana knew deep down that he was right. He was doing what he could to protect her since he couldn't protect Austin. After a moment, her squirming subsided and she stood beside Jamie, trembling.

She wanted nothing more than to be by Austin's side, holding him. He had protected her on so many occasions. What could she do now other than help him, in return? How would she get in, with Jamie holding her back? How was she supposed to repay him if she couldn't get inside?