Sins of the Brother (On Hold)

The Inquisition - Part 2

Chapter 3

Remy’s P.O.V

“I thought I saw one of my attackers,” Payton whispered brokenly on my lap. “Dylan has the same exact eyes and voice as one of the men. The one they called ‘Joe’”

Those words played over and over in my head as I left the girls. My fist wanted to shatter bones, mainly Dylan’s.

After leaving the restaurant, I found Payts at her place. I held her in my arms as she cried for the first time in more than two years. I felt helpless. I didn’t know what else to do to make her feel better. When her sobs subsided, I finally asked why she took off like that. I never expected those words to past her lips.

“I thought I saw one of my attackers. Dylan has the same exact eyes and voice as one of the men. The one they called‘Joe’”

My first thoughts were ‘I left Abby with him.’ I quickly shifted Payton in my arms and took out my cellphone from my jacket pocket. I sent her a message telling her to lose Dylan and come back to the apartment ASAP. 

Five minutes later, the front door opened and Abby walked in. I’ve never been so relieved to see that girl in all my life. She gave me a questioned look before her focus went to Payton bundled in my arms.

Abby came forward slowly and knelt in front of us. She stretched out her hand to touch Payton’s arm but left it suspended. I saw her uncertainty since Payton don’t like to be touched, even by us, her best friends. 

“Payts, what happened love,” she instead asked quietly. 

Payton didn’t respond. I looked down and saw her gazing into space. Her eyes fluttered from time to time and I knew she was reliving that night. It took everything in me to stay calm. I wanted to rip into Dylan so badly. I felt like a raging bull with a red flag in front of me. I wanted to kill first and ask questions later.

“Payton,” I called her name shaking her. She snapped back to the present and looked around taking in her surroundings.  Her eyes finally focused on Abby. I saw tears in both their eyes but there’s nothing I could do but hold on to Payton for as long as she will let me. 

Abby fought to get control of her emotions. When she was calmer, she asked again, “What’s wrong Payts? Why did you run off like that?”

“I –” her voice cracked. She swallows and put her fists to her mouth struggling to get control of herself. After a minute or two she took her hand away and took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

This time when she spoke, there was no emotion in her voice. “Dylan had the same eyes and voice as one of my attackers. I panicked. I had to get away.”

Abby visibly paled before my eyes. Her eyes shot up to mine and showed her fear. I clenched my jaw in an effort to remain calm even though everything in my being wanted Dylan’s blood. I didn’t act on it, however, because of the girl I still held in my arms. She needed me more than my need to go and interrogate the crap out of Dylan. I had time to deal with him. If he ran, I would hunt his ass down. He wouldn’t get far. I can swear to it.

Abby looks back to Payton but she looked confused for a moment. “Are you sure Payts?” she asked hesitantly. She further elaborates, “Dylan seemed confused, and shocked when I was talking to him earlier.”

My eyes narrowed on Abby. I found my voice for the first time since Payton’s statement. “What did you tell him?” I questioned. 

She looked at me and paused for a second. “Look, before you hit the roof, just know I felt I owed Dylan an explanation for why Payton ran off like that –” She stopped when she saw my eyes turned darker. She then whispered softy “I told him Payton was raped.”