Freddy sprints out of the door, his eyes wide as he looks at me through the glass. I put the car in drive, and my tires squeal as I pull out into traffic and he tries to run to catch up to me.
“Lani, pull over at the gas station up the road. A police officer is waiting there for you, honey.” My brother’s voice is calm; that’s the only thing keeping me together right now.
I sniff, using one hand to dry my eyes, “Thank you, Jordan, stay on the phone with me.”
“I have some friends that live in LA. They’ll be out there ASAP to bring you home. The MC is going to send the jet.”
I sigh in relief. I just want to get so far away from here as fast as I can. “I’ll call you back, Jordan.” I hang up the phone and look in the mirror to Julie and Caesar, who are in the back seat.
“I am so sorry, you guys,” I sob, barely making it to the gas station as I let the fear take over, along with some major guilt because they had to suffer with me.
“It’s okay, don’t be sorry, and it’s not your fault,” Caesar reassures me, and I let out a deep breath, composing myself because the police officer is making his way over to me.
I pull open my door and step out. His eyes move from the top of my head to my feet, flaring as he recognizes me.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” He reaches for my arm to help me out of my car, and the others follow out behind me. Julie grabs my hand and stands next to me as we explain what happened.
A few officers load out towards the direction of the warehouse. It’s all a blur as everything happens around me and the police ask me a hundred and one questions.
Julie and Caesar leave soon after the police assure me that they are searching for Freddy. They barely say bye to me when they get into their taxi.
Jordan calls me again and I pick up instantly. I can hear my mom and dad in the background. He must have called them. “Hey sis, the plane will be landing within the hour. My buddy will be there in a few minutes and he’s going to take you to your place to get your stuff, then he’s going to put you on the plane.”
“Thank you, bubby.”
Jordan has always been my protective older brother. If something was bothering me, I would run straight to him.
“It’s time for you to come home, honey,” my mom says in the background, and I close my eyes, then my dad comes on the line. “Sweetheart, I’ll be at the airport. Mom is getting your room ready for you.” The feeling of safety washes over me as my dad speaks to me.
I have been blessed with the amazing family that I have. Just then a huge truck pulls up right next to my car and a guy wearing a cut that belongs to the MC here in LA climbs out.
“Lani?” he asks, walking up to me.
“Yeah, I’m Lani. I’m assuming you’re my brother’s friend?”
He smiles. “Yes, ma’am, I’m Allen. Want to leave your car here and one of my brothers will drive it to your house later?”
I nod. I don’t think I can really drive right now anyway as the shock is wearing off and I’m shaking badly.
I tell the officer bye and give him my number so they’ll call me if they have any updates. Then I get in his massive truck. “I’ll give you guys one of my spare keys. You can hide it somewhere and tell Jordan where it is.”
He nods and drives towards my house. I look out of the window, fully expecting Freddy to just pop out of nowhere.
“Are you okay?” he asks, and I look over. He’s watching me from the corner of his eye.
I push my hair out of my face. “Yeah, I’m just shocked that it all came to this. I never expected it. When I got the restraining order, I really thought that it would be the end of it…” I trail off, my mind going back to when he grabbed me. I look down at my arm to see bruises forming.
“I’m fine. I just want to feel safe again. I haven’t for a long time. He’s been to my house a bunch of times,” I admit truthfully. He looks sad, and I press the button on my keys, opening the gate.
I walk inside my house and hurry to pack as many clothes as I can. I fully plan on staying as long as possible until I have to come back.
The plane ride was around three hours long. My body crashed and I slept the whole time. The second I was up in the air, I felt like I could breathe for the first time in weeks.
My anxiety is something I have suffered with my whole life, but it’s just gotten worse and worse as I’ve grown more popular in the modeling industry.
If I’m being honest, I don’t even have to work ever again, Jordan invested my money for me and it’s really paid off.
Right now I’m going to concentrate on being healthy once again. My mental health has been put on the back burner and I want to take care of myself.
The plane touches down and I look out of the window and see my dad waiting beside the SUV for me.
I smile and unbuckle my seatbelt, waiting for the doors to be opened and the stairs to be let out.
The second I can, I run down the steps and straight to my dad, who is standing at the bottom. He picks me up off of the ground and hugs me tightly.
I close my eyes and tuck my face into the side of his neck. “I’m so glad you’re home, my baby girl.” He rocks me side to side slightly like he used to do when I was little.
“I love you, Dad,” I whisper, trying not to cry, but I’m so happy.
He lets me go and sets me on my feet gently, “I love you too, baby girl. Let me get your bags. Mom has dinner ready for you.” He touches my cheek and grabs my bags for me and rolls them to the SUV.
He walks in front of me to open my door for me—my dad has always been the perfect gentleman and ever since I was little he has opened the door for me. He has put me and Mom on a pedestal. When I was little he would take me on dates to show me how I’m meant to be treated.
That’s why I’m single, because my expectations are so high. I lean over and rest my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes and falling back asleep.
“Baby.” I wake up to Mom’s sweet voice. I open my eyes and she’s standing at my open door, her hands on my face.
“Hi Mom.” I smile and lean up, hugging her.
“I am so glad you’re home,” she whispers and rubs my back. I slide out of the SUV and let her lead me inside, the scent of a home-cooked meal hitting me the second we step across the threshold.
“Baby girl, you need to tell me what happened.” Dad puts his hand on my back, leading me to the table, so I start from the beginning with everything.
His face shows more anger by the second, and so does my mom’s. “Lani, why didn’t you tell me this shit was going on?” he demands, crossing his arms across his chest.
I wince at the sight of the anger on his face and I look down. “I didn’t want to worry you, and I honestly didn’t think it was that serious if I’m being honest…” I trail off, and his face softens. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that this would happen.
“Well, that shit is over with now.” He smiles slightly, and I know he’s over being mad at me. He hugs me tightly before holding my seat out for me, then does the same for my mom.
I look at my mom, who is studying me, before she starts loading my plate full of food. With shaky hands, I reach forward and take my fork, then my dad’s eyes fly to my hand.