Protecting Her Lost Soul

Chapter 18

Once the dog comes back in Flynn helps me off the counter and he shuts the back door. We walk back into the kitchen and Mom is busy cooking. I walk over to her and hug her side and she gasps. "Honey, you scared me." She wraps her arm around me as she cooks.
     "I love you," I whisper.
     "Oh honey, I love you too." She kisses my head and I pull away. I walk out the kitchen and into the living room.
    "You're looking better, Riley," Nanny says. They must have stayed last night but I was so out of it I didn't catch the plans.
   "I'm not so groggy today," I admit. Tyler is sat on the sofa next to Miley and I walk over to him and flop my weight on him and he curses.
    "Christ Sis, you're heavy," he moans and Miley crawls over to us and climbs on my lap. "Urgh, kid not helping." She giggles and I laugh too but I stop.
   "Lee," Mom says and I look at her in the doorway. "Doctor Baxter is here," she moves to the side and he looks just as I remember. He was late twenties when I last saw him but he must be early thirties now. Dark brown hair, blue eyes, stubble with a square jaw. "Can you all give us some space? Come on Miley let's go find pops." Miley nods and gets off my lap.
    I don't even know where Flynn is anyway. They all pile out the room but I don't move off Tyler's lap. Mom reenters the room with Doctor Baxter and Mom offers him to sit on the sofa. "Tyler," Mom urges.
    "Well, if she would move her fat ass off me I can move."
   "I don't need a Doctor," I whine. Tyler grabs my hips and lifts me off him and makes me stand up. He gets up and leaves the room. I pout at the door where he left. What happened to, protecting his sister? Man, he was my support.
    "Just sit down next to the nice Doctor and he can examine you," I roll my eyes. I walk towards him and I hold my ribs when I sit down.
    "Hello Riley, it's been a while," he smiles at me and I blush. Damn it, he's always been cute. I've always secretly had a crush on him. The whole superior doctor thing is a turn on. "Abigail said you could have a chest infection. Let me do some tests to find out, okay?"
    "I'm fine," I cross my arms in protest.
   "You are more stubborn than I remember. You used to be my best patient," I roll my eyes. "Come on Riley, go easy on me." I always used to try impress him but I'm not the least bit interested since Flynn anyway. 
    "Fine, jeez," I mutter and uncross my arms. He chuckles and opens his bag pulling out a stethoscope.
   "I'm going to need you to remove your jumper so I can do my tests." I sigh and slowly pull my arms out the sleeves and I gasp as I pull it up. This would have sent me into a frenzy before. "Do you need help?"
    "No," I growl. I don't want him touching me. He laughs again and I manage to pull it over my head. I keep it on my lap as it protects me.
    "When did she get so. . . Independent Abigail?" he jokes. "Top as well," he says without looking at me. Why? He can easily access my chest from here.
    "Independent is one word for it Alec, do you see that Lee? That's what nice looks like," I roll my eyes. I stand up and hold my side, "What are you doing, Lee?"
    "I ain't sitting here topless, in front of him acting like. . ." I cough and hold my ribs, "the bad guy for you all to scold."
   "Don't make me get Flynn, Riley. Now sit down and take your top off." Mom reprimands me. Flynn wouldn't want me topless either. Maybe I should call him just so I don't have to do this shit. I groan and lift the top over my head and I chuck it at his head and he laughs removing it from his head. "Riley, stop being so childish. I'm really sorry Alec," I roll my eyes and sit back down.                   
     Doctor Baxter has been our Doctor for years. As it's a small town he's more than just our Doctor. We invite him over on special events just like many other town folk. "You said fractured ribs, Abigail?" he says looking at my bruised ribs. He puts on some gloves and pokes my ribs and I call out. I swat his hand away, "Sorry Riley, I'm just checking for swelling and hardness."
     "Yes, fractured ribs, Alec." He holds his hand out to make it obvious what he's going to do. I don't stop him but I'm ready to if I need to. He pushes on my abdomen and I glare at him.
    "Does this hurt?" Yes, it's excruciating to have him touch it. I want to punch him just to get him to stop. I'd rather be in actual physical pain right now. 
   "Yes but not in the way you are thinking." He frowns at me.
   "The fuck is this?" Flynn growls and I look at him. Save me from the pain.
   "Calm down, Honey, the Doctor is examining Riley," Mom explains. I push Alec's hand off my stomach and he frowns.
    "Calm down? He's touching my girlfriend topless." I roll my eyes at his jealousy. My heart thumps at the term girlfriend. 
   "He's a Doctor Flynn, he's a professional. He has no interest in my daughter, leave the room or sit down and be quiet." Flynn mutters to himself and sits next to me. He takes my hand and brings it to his lap.
    "Boyfriend? You're all grown up Riley. Right, I need to check your heart."
   "My heart is fine," I groan. He places the stethoscope on my chest and I flinch away, It's cold. He starts listening to my heart and frowns.
    "She has heart disease, Alec. It's always elevated."
   "Heart disease? Riley what did you do?" he gasps.
   "What makes you think this was me?" I growl.
   "Well, generally heart disease occurs after fifty," he continues to listen to my heart. Once he's done he places it near my lung. "Take a deep breath in." I breathe in but end up coughing. I gasp breathlessly. He moves it to my other side. "Again," he asks and I breathe in lightly. "Deep breath, Riley." I groan and breathe in deeply and I cough again. "Did they tell you about breathing deeply?"
    "Riley is very stubborn these days Alec. She was told, she doesn't listen though. The day after she was discharged she got the bus from Duke and carried two heavy bags and a child without painkillers."
   "Riley, that's probably why you feel poorly."
   "I never said I was poorly! I said I was fine!" I insist and he smiles.
   "I like this new you," he smiles at me and Flynn coughs. Innocent Riley would be doing backflips to get his attention like this. Alec reaches in his bag and pulls out a thermometer and places it in my ear.
   "Can she put her top back on already?" Flynn groans as the device beeps and Alec pulls it out my ear.
   "Oh right, yeah. Sure," he says whilst he reads the thermometer. Flynn reaches across me to grab my top. He helps me into it and then grabs my hoodie and helps me into it too. "Riley, I'm concerned about your heart and the pain you're in."
    "Pain is fine," I assure him.
   "Right now, how bad is it when it's close to your next dose?"
   "It hurts like a bitch but at least I can talk now. That was the worst," I lean back onto Flynn and he wraps his arm around me. "The drowsiness is a bitch too." I thought the drowsiness was easing but I'm sleepy again.
   "Talk?" he looks at Mom.
   "When she was strangled it damaged her throat." She explains. "She could only speak a few words at a time." I look at Flynn sleepily and he lifts me on his lap and I rest my face in his neck. "The painkillers are taking most of the pain away but she sleeps most of the day."
   "Maybe we should think about a different type of painkiller. You shouldn't be this drowsy." Flynn slides his hand under my top and places his hand on my stomach.
"Can you chuck me the blanket please Abigail?" I don't hear Mom's answer but Flynn then covers me in the blanket.
   "Is she eating okay?"
   "It's hard enough getting her to take the liquid painkiller. She's not going to take any tablets. Her throat is sore so we can't get her to eat much." Mom says.
    "She's lost a lot of weight since I last saw her. She needs to be eating regularly. All these factors aren't good for her heart."
   "So what do we do?" Mom asks.
   "I'm going to prescribe antibiotics. She needs rest and to eat regularly."
   "No," I mumble.
   "Ri, shh." He demands.
   "What's wrong?" Alec asks.
   "She hates taking tablets," Flynn answers for me. "It's hard enough getting her to take her heart meds." 
   "I can prescribe a liquid form. I will come by in a couple of days and see how she is. Let me know if you are concerned, Abigail. Lots of fluids, she needs to move around a bit to help shift the mucus. There is still lots of swelling around the ribs so regular ice pack."
   "Thank you, Alec. I'm sure Riley appreciates you coming out, don't you Lee?"
   "He should be thanking me. What with seeing me topless," I smirk and Alec laughs.
   "Riley, why are you being so rude today?"
   "It's okay Abigail, honestly. I like this Riley, I look forward to new years," if my eyes were open I'd roll them. Why is he looking forward to new years?
   "Sure, Alec, our new year's party will be the talk of the town again."
   "I'd better get going. You should start feeling better in the next couple of days once you start antibiotics. Nice to meet you, Flynn," he says and I grab Flynn's top and pull him closer to me not that we can get any closer. Flynn strokes my hair and I hear Miley crying. I sit up and open my eyes.
    I stand up, "I can get her," Flynn says but I shake my head.
   "Miley?" I call and walk towards her crying. I walk passed Alec whilst holding my side. She runs into the room with her hands out to me. I groan as I lift her up.
   "Mommy!" she cries.
   "What's up, baby?"
   "Uncle Tyler is being mean," I laugh silently and rock her gently.
   "Well, I happened to know many ways to get back at him. You with me?" I hold my fist out and she nods and punches my fist.
   "Riley, you shouldn't be lifting anything. You have a daughter? Why didn't I know this?" Alec asks and I face him.
   "She's Flynn's sister. I adopted her, she needs me so I'll do as I wish." I whisper in Miley's ear, "Go mess Tyler's hair up and I'll be in shortly." She grins at me and I put her down. She runs back into the other room.
   "All I'm asking is a week without lifting. Can you manage that?"
  "No, not really."
   He laughs and shakes his head, "Rest Riley or you'll see me more often. I'll have to keep you on bed rest and I don't have a nice bedside manner."
   "Fine, don't need you holding me hostage in bed, there will be arguments." I glance at Flynn and he scowls at me. I leave the room and find Miley in the dining room on Tyler's lap messing his hair up.
    "Kid, enough. Lee, get her to stop."
   "Why should I?" I raise my eyebrow at him, "You shouldn't be mean to her then."
   "I'm sorry, kid. Happy?" he groans. She smiles and stops messing with his hair. I lift Miley into my arms and I sit on Tyler's lap and he holds me around my waist. I hear Mom say goodbye to Alec and the front door shuts. 
    My eyes droop and I fall asleep. I'm suddenly lifted into different arms and I smell Flynn around me. He lowers me on the couch and covers me in a blanket. I try grabbing his hand but he's already gone. When I wake the TV is on and I listen to the woman on the news. 
   "A nineteen-year-old girl from Duke University was found dead two days ago." My eyes fly open and I groan in pain. I examine the picture of the girl and my heart stops. The dog whines on my lap and I stroke his head. 
    "Tyler!" I scream. "Ty!" I lift myself up and my eyes water as I'm in pain. My heart is pounding out of my chest. "Tyler!" he comes running into the room and he looks at me and kneels in front of me. 
    "What's wrong?" he says anxiously. 
    "Tyler, look!" I point at the TV a rewind what I just heard. He grabs my arm for support as we see Barbie's face on the TV. 
    "Her death is still being investigated but the cause of death was strangulation." I shiver and Tyler stays motionless on the floor. 
     "James," I whisper. Tyler's eyes flash to me and he frowns. 
     "You think he did this?" 
     "He told me she was dead for hurting me, I didn't think his threat was real at the time but I wouldn't put it past him." 
     "Bastard," Tyler growls. "Flynn!" Flynn casually walks in and frowns at us and then walks and sits by my feet. "Lee thinks James killed Britney." 
     "What? She's dead?" he says surprised. 
     "Yeah, Bro, Lee saw it on the news. Death by strangulation." 
     "The fuck? Would he do that?" he asks me. 
     "He said he would but that was when I thought he wasn't real. Considering he assaulted that waiter for talking to me. I wouldn't put it passed him," I shrug. 
     "Christ!" Flynn mutters. "What do we do?" 
     "I'll speak to my Dad, see what he suggests." Tyler gets up and releases his grip on my arm and leaves the room. 
     "Is Miley okay?" I ask Flynn and he nods. He lays down next to me and rests his head on my stomach. 
    "She loves spending time with your Mom and your Mom is so good with her." I smile and he slides his hand up my top and I squirm. "Is it painful?" 
    "No, the opposite," I admit and he chuckles. 
    "Guys, breakfast is ready!" Mom calls. 
    "Your family have brilliant timing," he shakes his head and gets off me. He takes my hand and pulls me up. He puts his arm around my shoulder and I hug his waist. 
    We all take our usual seats but I lean my head on Flynn's arm. He looks down at me and I smile closing my eyes. "You sleep way too much," he whispers. "You need to eat, Ri." 
    "Hurts. . . tired," I whisper. He sighs and lets me snooze for a while. 
    "Mommy!" Miley says and brings me from my daze. I open my eyes and look at her beautiful face. 
    "Yeah, baby?" I ask. 
    "When are we going home?" she says looking around at me. 
    "In a week or so, why?" I ask. 
    "I'll get you all to myself then," she says and hugs me. I put my arm around her. 
    "What's wrong honey?" I ask her. 
    "Too many people Mommy," she whimpers. I frown, she loves these people, doesn't she? 
    "You want it to be just us?" I ask sitting up. 
    "Yeah," she cries. I look at her plate and she's eaten it all so I stand up and gasp. I feel Flynn's eyes on me and I carry her out of the dining room to the couch. I lower onto it and I hold her to me and she continues to cry. I hush her quietly and her cries soon turn into heavy breathing. 
     Then it turns to shallow breathing. I guess she must have been tired. I stroke her hair as she lays on me. I cough but gasp trying not to wake her up. Flynn returns into the living room with a plate of food. "What was that all about?" he asks. 
    "I think she's tired, a lot has happened over the last few days," he nods and lifts my upper body up so he can sit behind me. 
     "You need to eat," I shake my head. "Ri," he urges but remains quiet as Miley is sleeping. He cups my throat with his hand and my heart starts racing. He strokes my hair with his other hand. Fear courses through me but his gentle touch eases my distress. Flynn would never intentionally hurt me so I need to stop panicking. The pain in my throat starts easing and he slides food into my mouth and I chew. 
    I don't protest as I guess I am hungry and this strategy does work. I rest the back of my head on his shoulder and swallow as he feeds me some more. Once he's satisfied I've eaten enough he puts the plate on the floor. I rest my eyes and I hear the front door go. I hear fast footsteps to the front door and I'm guessing it's Tyler running and Ruby is at the door. 
     I doze for a while until voices get closer. "Hey," I hear Ruby. "This is my brother, Ricardo," I don't bother opening my eyes. 
    "Alright bro," Flynn says and strokes my hair and a grumble escapes my throat. 
    "Who is this hot chick?" a guy's voice says. 
    "Back off bro, that's my sister," Tyler growls and Flynn tenses beneath me. 
    The guy laughs shrugging it off, "Is your sister out of bounds?" 
    "Yes, to you she is," Flynn growls. I reach my hand up and I slap his face until I reach his mouth and I place my hand over his mouth. 
    "Shh," I grumble and everyone laughs. I'm so tired, "Flynn," I mumble and remove my hand from his mouth.
    "Yes baby?" he says softly. 
    "Get him to. . . leave," I mumble. I don't want a stranger to see me at my lowest. 
     "My pleasure baby," he whispers. "Ruby, can you get your brother to leave?" 
     "Actually, my brother is staying for a few days," she says awkwardly and I groan. I open my eyes and sit up gasping from the pain. I'm awake, I don't sleep in front of people let alone strangers. 
      I bring Miley into my arms and I stand up. I walk out of the living room and I hear my name being called but I keep walking without looking at any of them. I walk up the stairs and I walk to Flynn's room. I settle Miley into the bed and I lock the door. I start applying makeup, if a stranger is in the house then I need to hide. I need my mask. 
    The door handle slides down but obviously, I locked it so they can't come in. I'm assuming it's Flynn if no one knocked first. "Ri, what are you doing? Why are you locking me out?"
    "Go away," I growl trying not to wake Miley. 
    "Ri, this is my room. Open the door," I roll my eyes and walk to the door. I open the door but only a little bit. "What's wrong?" 
    "Does it matter?" I growl. He gently pushes the door open and I lean against the wall. He comes in and shuts the door. I stay leaning against the wall and I lock the door behind him. 
    He strokes my cheeks looking into my eyes, "Tell me," he insists. 
    My heart starts pounding at the connection between us, "Stranger," I whisper as if he should know. "Vulnerable," I admit. 
    "Ri, I will never let anyone hurt you again. I feel sick that I let him hurt you in the first place. You are safe with me under this roof. I hate him here too but you're safe. Why have you put makeup on?" 
     "Only family get to see me with no makeup," I shut my eyes and his lips claim mine. My hands slide up his top to his abs and he growls. 
     "Don't do that or we won't leave this room," he pulls away and looks into my eyes. "You're so beautiful and all mine." 
     "Yes, yours," I whisper. 
     "And I am yours," he promises me. "Always," he takes my hand and places it over his heart. "My heart literally beats for you." I gasp as I feel his rapid heartbeat. His lips collide with mine and he's not being gentle. He's literally taking what he needs from me and I don't care. I need him too. 
     "Bro!" Tyler calls. 
     Flynn removes his lips away from mine and looks into my eyes, "I'm literally going to kill him if he keeps cock blocking me," he pecks my lips and unlocks the door. He opens the door and walks out. He stops and looks back at me. "You coming?" he holds his hand out to me. I look at Miley sleeping peacefully. "She will be fine," I look back at Flynn and I take his burning hand. 
    He leads me down the stairs and into the hallway where all three of them stand. "Bro, we are going to the cinema. You coming?" Tyler looks to our locked hands and frowns. 
     Flynn looks down at me, "Only if you're going," I shake my head. 
     "No, you go. You need to get out and have fun, I can't leave Miley."
     "Then I'm not going either," I sigh. "Think of all the trouble you could get into," I roll my eyes and Mom comes into view. 
     "Lee, go. I'm not going anywhere anyway. I can watch Miley until you get back," I shake my head. "Honey, she will be fine. She can't be attached to you for the rest of her life. Go have fun," I frown and Flynn kisses my temple. 
     "Thanks Abigail," Flynn says and starts pulling me to the door. "I have my phone if there's a problem." 
      I plant my feet, "I never agreed!" I growl. 
      Flynn rolls his eyes, "Why must you be so hard work? It will be good for you," I roll my eyes and cross my arms. 
     "You don't want to spend time with me Darlin'?" I look to Ricardo for the first time. Black shaggy hair, I do like longer hair on a guy. Blue eyes and square jaw. I'd say he was slightly older than Flynn and Tyler. His eyes are boring into me and I strangely feel a sense of calm around him. I can't deny that he's hot but then one look at Ruby's genes I'd have guessed he was good looking. 
    "Not really, no," I say without any emotion. 
    "That's insulting, Darlin', I was looking forward to spending time with you," I roll my eyes. 
    "Stop calling me that," I spit back. 
    "What?" he says innocently. "I think it suits you," he winks at me and Flynn growls next to me. Flynn gets fed up and slings me over his shoulder. He slips his shoes on by the door and bends down to grab mine. He grabs my coat and leaves the house. 
    "Flynn," I whine. "You don't need to go crazy," I say loud enough for only him to hear me. He slaps my back side and I yelp. 
    "Yes, I do," he growls. The car beeps open and he sets me on my feet. He opens the back door and I go to slide in but he stops me. I frown at him as he slides in first. Since when has he ever sat in the middle? He reaches towards me and pulls me into the car. I shut the door and I can't work him out. Is he angry? Or is he jealous? Or both?
     He puts my belt on and the other back door opens and Ricardo climbs in and I smirk. So he made this whole fuss so that I wouldn't sit next to Ruby's brother. I don't know why he reacted this way, he knows that I don't want to sit next to him anyway. Flynn puts his belt on and I slide my hand through Flynn's and he looks down at me. 
   "What are you smiling at?" he says quietly. 
   "Nothing," I smile wider and he frowns. Tyler and Ruby get in the front and Tyler starts the car and pulls away. He passes me my shoes and I awkwardly but them on. Luckily the ground is dry after placing me on the ground before we got into the car. 
    "Are you happy now, Sissy?" Ricardo says. "I don't see what the fascination is. You made me drive you here and he's not even that good looking. All your crying for what?" 
   "Ricky, stop," Ruby protests and I catch her blush. I extend my seatbelt and kneel on the seat and I reach behind Flynn and I whack the back of Ricardo's head and he curses. 
    "Ahh, you have a fucking painful hit Darlin'. What was that for?" Flynn laughs loudly and I glare at Ricardo. 
    "How dare you say my brother isn't good looking!" I growl. "Arsewipe!" I mutter. 
    "Arsewipe?" Ricardo chuckles. "I'm sorry, did I offend you Darlin'?"
    "Offend my family and you offend me," I growl. 
    Flynn places his hand on my leg, "Can you sit down properly?" he whispers in my ear. "Settle down," he says casually but I sense his smirk. I remove my leg off the seat and sit properly and the seatbelt retracts. 
    "Sorry Darlin', I'll bear that in mind," Flynn keeps his hand on my leg burning me. Keeping me calm. 
    "Don't apologise to me. Apologise to them," I growl. 
    "Why?" he says disgusted. 
    "For one, you embarrassed your sister. Secondly, you said my brother wasn't good looking so you owe him an apology."
    "Don't waste your breathing, Riley. He doesn't apologise for his mess," Ruby looks at me and smiles. 
    "Oh, he will apologise," I counter. I lean around Flynn and glare at Ricardo and he raises his eyebrow at me. "Won't you?" I deepen my scowl and his eyes widen. "Don't make me say it again." 
     "Fucking hell, what are you? Some demon?" he looks to the front. "I'm sorry," he lies. 
     "Now say it again, like you mean it," he looks back at me. 
     "Fuck Darlin'." He sighs, "I'm sorry," he says sincerely and I lean back against my seat and smile in content. Ruby looks around at us and frowns as if his behaviour is unheard of. 
      She faces forward and Flynn grazes his lips against my ear. I squirm as I feel his hot breath on my ear, "Angel," he counters. "I love you," I smile. He nibbles my ear before pulling away. He's such a fucking tease.