Reuniting Us (The sequel to You're all I Ever Wanted)

Chapter 8

Kati's POV

I finally reach the unfamiliar house after walking for a while. I pull out my phone and check the time. I push my phone back into my pocket and walk up to the door. I knock twice before the door swings open.

"Hello." a man answered.

"Hi, is this where Jackson Frueh lives?" I ask.

"Yes ma'am. Would you like to speak to him?" he asked.

"I would." I said, mocking his accent. It was a British accent with some American showing through.

"Follow me please." he said, leading me through a series of doors. "Please wait here." I sat uncomfortable on the couch taking in my surroundings. I manage to remember where my room and a few other rooms were. I get up off the couch an wander down the hall with my bag. All the doors were open but one. I walk up to that door and knock once.

"Eli?" I whisper. The door opens to Eli with a bruised right cheek. "Eli, what happened?" I walk in his room and drop my stuff.

"I got punched. What does it look like." He said, sitting back down on his bed.

"By who?" I ask, leaning against the wall.

"Uncle Jackson." he said quietly.

"How long has he been doing that Eli? Don't even think about lying to me." I said, sternly. He looked at his lap, fiddling with his thumbs.

"Since I was six." he said, quietly.

"Look, Eli, I have to go talk Uncle Jackson quick. I'll be right back." I said, walking to the living area. I made it just in time to see the man who let me in walk in where I was.

"Mr. Jackson is ready to speak with you." he said, ushering me into an unfamiliar room. I take in my surroundings. Dark blue walls with large windows, letting light in. A desk, cluttered with papers and a man with many wrinkles sitting in the desk chair.

"Well hello Kati." he greeted smugly. "I haven't seen you for a while." He takes his feet off the desk and places them underneath himself. He stands at about 5' 6" and looks like a head of a major business.

"Hello Uncle Jackson." I greeted.

"Why have you come here Kati, I gave you to Cassidy for a reason." he sneered.

"I want my brother back." I said. "He deserves to be loved. We all know you don't love him. He's told me what you've done to him. You beat him, hit him, and God knows what else. He deserves to live in Nashville with our loving family there." He steps towards me, not saying anything.

"How do you know what I do with my kid?" he asked, stepping closer.

"I seen him before. His cheek was bruised. He told me you've been abusing him since he was six." I said venomously.

"Well is that how you talk to your elders, Kati?" Jackson asked.

"Only to you." I hissed. "Eli's going to be part of my family again." I stormed out but was whipped back by Jackson. He raises his hand as if he were going to hit me. I closed my eyes tightly waiting for the pain, but there was none. I slowly opened my eyes to see the man who let me in holding Jackson's arm.

"You don't hit a girl." the man spat. "Go on, find your brother. I'll take care of this man."

"Thank you." I said, flashing a smile before heading towards Eli's room. "Eli, I'm coming in." I open the door to Eli on the phone with somebody.

"Hold on, Kati just walked in." he said, putting his phone on speaker. "Ok Ash you're on speaker phone."

"Kati Hayes, you had us worried sick!" Ashton exclaimed. "But I'm glad you're with somebody you know."