Survival Under Protection - Book Two (Sequel)

34 - Choice

JOHN'sPOV BEAUFORT


"John, it's OK. I am fine. You can go now and sleep." Ria insisted the third time and I lost my patience this time and crossed my arms, "Ria, will you stop pushing it now? I am not leaving you alone, even in your bathroom. Take all your time to freshen up and bathe, I don't mind. And I am repeating this for the last time... close the door but don't latch it. I am standing right here outside. So if you need anything or feel unwell, call for me."

Unlike my assumption, she did not get angry, but kept quiet and spoke slowly, "Why don't you let me go, John? It is Jack's birthday today, a celebration day! Instead, everything is messed up now, and now Jack... he is on his death bed because of me! Even Logan-"

I put my finger on her lips, stopping her, "Nothing is messed up, lil Ree. We are siblings, we are bound to fight, and what you did or I did, we have all our lives to discuss that. But for now, all I wanna say to you is, you are the one who saved Jack's life today! Yes, Jack is still in a critical state. But if not for you, we might have lost all our hope... And we will celebrate his birthday soon when he gets well."

-"But what about Logan?"

-"You leave that to me. For now, freshen up. OK, lilRee?"

Ria nodded and after a long time, I saw her smile and went into the bathroom.

I sat down on a chair, gulping some water, and quickly changed into fresh clothes. I needed to sleep now but before that, I wanted to see if Logan was done with showing the guest room to Bolt and Sam. He reached home a few minutes after us I was feeling desperate to talk to him. But I didn't want to leave Ria unattended too.

Andy, Alex, and Joe too a long day and they all went to sleep. Daniel insisted on waiting up for Ria, but I asked him to take some rest.

I decided to wait until Ria came out and then talk to Logan. But the next moment, I heard Logan calling for me in my room.

I walked out of Ria's room and headed towards my room, "Hey Logan. I was in Ria's room. Did you call for me? Logan, I wanted to talk to you too."

I took a pause and added, "Logan, I am unable to contact mom and dad for some reason. But I assure you, you don't have to worry. I have talked to uncle Garry-"

I didn't know why but Logan looked pissed off and cut me off, "Why were you in Ria's room?"

I was taken aback, "She has been very weak and her wounds from the Den are still healing. I didn't want to leave her alone. So-"

Logan shook his head, "She came back? Why did the girl come back?"

I was puzzled, "What do you mean, Logan? She is our sister. Why won't she-"

-"Then why did she leave us initially, John? I don't understand why she is doing this to my family! And after all, these happened, she dared to come back to our house!"

-"This is her home too, Logan! I know what she did was wrong. But you also have to consider the fact of what we did to her. We have kept her in dark about Gino, his letters and she always feels that we are keeping her in dark..."

Our argument was loud enough to bring Daniel, Joe, and the twins out of their rooms into mine.

I continued while Logan still acted of being indifferent, "We forced her into the Den.
We even kept her away from her friends. So I think you should cut some slack for Ria."

Logan still looked unconvinced, "I am ready to forgive and forgive everything but not what happened to Jack today!"

I scoffed, looked at Daniel and pointed at him, "it was Daniel who tricked Ria into fleeing away. Though his intentions were only to prove to us that she was not safe with Leo and Daniel wanted us to get back Ria in this house... And Miss Sally, the over-smart girl along with her boyfriend contacted David Tiger from Sedona to take Ria to Rincon."