FILTHY (Reckless #2) Read online

  “Look for signs. Chloe, look for signs.”

  “I had to go to the hospital because my bone is sticking out of my arm and they forced me to explain what happened so I left. I couldn’t drive so I went to the bus station.”

  “Are you in Tennessee?” I ask her.

  “I don’t know. I rode two buses.” A long pause interrupts her. “My phone is dying, help me.”

  “Look for signs, Chloe, now.”

  “I can’t,” she cries into the phone.

  “Focus,” I demand. “Ava and I will come get you.”

  “There’s just ads plastered everywhere.”

  “Go ask someone now,” I yell when I hear another long pause. Her phone is going to die.

  “Ads, fucking ads.” The urgency in her voice picks up. “Sir, where are we? They just look at me funny.”

  “Go to the cashier. Find someone who works there.”

  “Departing city.” She reads out loud. “Tulsa, Oklahoma.”

  “Chloe, listen to me right now. I’m calling a shelter to come get you. Go with them and Ava and I will be there as soon as possible.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for leaving you guys.”

  “Chloe, tell us what you’re supposed to do,” Ava adds.

  “He changed once we got married. He always told me he didn’t mean it.”

  Ava’s on a hotline and covers the mouthpiece to her phone. “Keep her on until I can get her the name of someone coming to get her.”

  “It’s okay, Chloe. It’s not your fault. We’re here for you.”

  I watch Zane scribble down numbers and Ava re-dial the phone.

  “He’d only leave bruises where my clothes covered then the stress of his job hit him.”

  “Chloe, I don’t care. I love you. Ava loves you. We’ll take care of you.”

  “He broke my jaw three months ago and told all of our friends and family that I finally had my teeth fixed.”

  I clench my fist and unclench. I let her talk knowing that’s what she needs the most right now.

  “Claire.” Ava waves at me. “Claire from the women’s shelter will be there in five minutes. She’ll show her badge. She said to keep her on the line until then.”

  “Chloe, a woman is coming for you and she’ll keep you safe until we get there.”

  “Did you call the police because I’ll run if you do.”

  “No, she’s from a woman’s shelter. No police.”

  The sound of a can crushing catches my attention. I forgot all about Kip witnessing the whole scene. The mild giant’s veins pop in his neck.

  “What was her name?” Her voice quavers.

  “Her name is Claire.” Zane pushes the notepad in front of me and I read the notes. “She has short blonde hair and will be wearing a golden heart pin on her lapel.”

  “Okay. I can’t go to the police.”

  “It’s not the police. I promise.”

  “I can’t ruin his career. It means so much.”

  I slam my fist down into the table, but know it’s not the time to talk sense into her.

  “You won’t, Chloe. All that matters is that you need to be in a safe environment. His career will be fine.”

  I bite down on my bottom lip until I taste blood. She begins to talk but a long pause interrupts us. It’s her phone’s final signal of life.

  “I won’t hurt him.”

  “I know, Chloe.”

  She’s there. Zane scribble out on the notepad.

  “Claire is there, Chloe. Stand up and look for a the blonde woman.”

  “I am. I don’t see her. Are you lying to me?”

  “Zane, tell her to call out Chloe’s name.”

  “Who is Zane? Is he a cop?”

  Chloe is out of her mind. Frozen with fear, she’s trying to run, but crippled with blinded terror.

  “Zane is Ava’s husband, remember?” I grip the phone tighter. “The woman from the women’s shelter is there and calling out her name. Trust me, Chloe.”

  “Okay.” Her voice is shaky and unsure.

  “Stand up and look for her.”

  Her phone cuts out again.

  “Chloe.”

  She doesn’t respond. I scream her name again, more panicked this time and her end goes dead silent.

  “We lost her.” I slump down in defeat.

  “Get up,” Ava demands. “We are going to get her.”

  “Like fuck you are,” Zane roars.

  “She’s a sister to us, Zane, I rarely defy you, but on this I will.”

  “She’s right, Zane. We’re going for her.”

  I catch the silhouette of Rhett staring out the screen door. We’ve been down this road before and it was a nightmare. He nods to me, giving me his approval. Zane and Ava tango in a serious argument. Charlie lets out a cry hearing her loving parents argue in heated tones.

  “Let them go,” Rhett speaks up behind the screen door. “Kip will you go with them?”

  I turn to Kip who's clearly upset and he only nods.

  “Zane,” Rhett growls. “Let them go. They’re not going back to Tennessee. Let them get her, she needs help.”

  He bounces Charlie up and down in his arms. Zane turns to Kip, pointing his finger into his chest. “If she comes back with one hair out of place, we’ll have words.”

  “I’ve got this.” He nods.

  And we pack our bags to go rescue our sister.

  Scandal

  “The Reckless Series”

  Coming December 2016

  HJ Bellus is a small town girl who loves the art of storytelling. When not making readers laugh or cry, she's a part-time livestock wrangler that can be found in the middle of Idaho, shot gunning a beer while listening to some Miranda Lambert on her Beats and rocking out in her boots.

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  Website: authorhjb.com

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  Acknowledgements-

  Thank you from the bottom of my crazy heart for supporting me with each new book I write. Each of my stories are dear to me and I love them like I love my own children. Without your support and encouragement none of this would be possible. My characters would just be that characters locked away in my head.

  This story touches several real and harsh realities of life. My heart aches and empathizes daily for individuals struggling to overcome their personal demons. We all have own struggles whether we admit it or not. Never be afraid to ask for help or stand up for a cause. You’re worth it. We all are.

  Playlist-

  Church Bells- Carrie Underwood

  Breathless- The Corrs

  H.O.L.Y- Florida Georgia Line

  Unlove You- Jennifer Nettles

  She Will Be Loved- Maroon 5

  My Church- Maren Morris

  Die A Happy Man- Thomas Rhett

  T-Shirt- Thomas Rhett

  Think of You (Duet with Cassadee Pope)- Chris Young

  I’ll Be The Moon- Dierks Bentley

  Different For Girls- Dierks Bently

  Somethin’ Bad- Carrie Underwood & Miranda Lambert

  Umbrella ( Feat. Jay-Z)Rihanna

  Royals- Lorde

  Snapback- Old Dominion

  Free Fallin’- Tom Petty

  Small Town- John Mellencamp

  Man In The Mirror- Michael Jackson

  Seven Year Ache- Roseann Cash

  Jackson- Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

  Ring of Fire- Johnny Cash

  God’s Gonna Cut You Down- Johnny Cash

  Somethin’ Bout a Truck- Kip Moore

  Addicted To Love- Robert Palmer

  Pour It Up- Rihanna

  My House (Feat. Jennifer Lopez)- Jennifer Nettles

  AYO Technology- 50 Cent

  Body Party- Ciara

  Gimme More- Brittney Spears

>   I Want To Know What Love Is- Terry McDermott

  Love Me Tender- Elvis Presley

  Forever Young- Audra Mae & The Forest Rangers