Broken kingdom

Chapter 47 Bianca

“I’ll be right outside if you need me,” Oakley declares when we pull up to the house. 

“I know.” Pressing my cheek to his shoulder blade, I squeeze my arms around him, soaking the strength he’s giving me up like a sponge. “Thank you.” 

Nerves bunch in my stomach when I look around the driveway and spot my father’s car along with Jace’s royal blue Lexus. 

They’re all inside waiting for me. 

And they have no idea what kind of missile I’m about to launch.

My legs shake as I get off the bike, and for a moment, I debate telling Oakley to drive me back to my dorm. 

But I don’t. 

A groan lodges in my throat when my phone rings. Stone’s been blowing up my phone all morning, despite telling him I was busy studying for a test. 

I suppose I could have told him what I was really up to, but then he’d have a bunch of questions for me. 

I’d rather tell him everything after I tell my family. 

I’m about to hit the ignore button, but I realize it’s not Stone calling me after all. 

I don’t recognize the number, but I answer anyway. 

“Hello?” 

“May I speak with Bianca Covington?” a deep voice asks on the other line. 

“Speaking.” 

“Hello, this is Detective Pollard with the Special Victims Unit. I was calling to give you an update about your case.” 

To say I’m surprised would be putting it mildly because I was told it would take a while to gather evidence and get the ball rolling. 

 “Oh. I didn’t think it would be so soon.” 

The detective clears his throat. “Yes, well unfortunately the case will be closed.” 

Anger rushes through my veins. “What the hell do you mean the case will be closed—”

“Dr. Young was murdered late last night.” 

My head whirls and a stu

“Wait, what? Murdered? By who?”

I see Oakley tense. “Who was murdered?” 

I quickly hold up a hand, silencing him because I need to know what happened myself before I can tell him. 

I hear the detective’s sharp inhale of breath over the extension. “I’m not at liberty to disclose all the details, but the department was conducting another investigation involving a different victim. However, the victim’s father decided to take matters into his own hands.” 

Holy. Shit. I’m literally speechless. 

“I…wow.” 

“Even though the case will be closing, if you would like some counseling or to come by and speak with—”

“No,” I quickly say. “Thank you, though.” I can’t deny that I’m awfully curious as to who’s responsible for giving this piece of shit his due karma. “Do you know who murdered him?” 

“We have someone in custody, yes.” 

When it’s obvious he’s not going to tell me who that person is, I thank him for calling and hang up. 

Then I look at Oakley. 

I ended up telling him about my plan to take down Mark late last night, but there’s obviously been a new development. 

“Someone killed Mark.” 

His blue eyes go wide. “Holy fucking shit.” 

“I know.” 

I pull up the search engine on my phone. If the police have someone in custody there’s a chance a local news station might know who and report it. 

My heart drops to my stomach when I click on the first article and see the man’s mugshot. 

I recognize him. 

Angelica’s dad. 

Oh, God. 

Emotions tangle in my chest and I have to force my lungs to take in air so I don’t pass out.

I gave her my bracelet and told her to be strong. 

But then a monster came along and ripped all her strength away. 

Oakley gets off his bike and rushes over to me. “What—”

“Does your dad ever take pro bono cases?” I choke out. 

Needless to say, Oakley’s confused as hell. “Not really. Why?” 

I hold up my phone. “This little girl…Angelica. Her dad…he killed Mark because he…” 

My stomach coils and I can’t bring myself to spit the words out. 

Fortunately, I don’t have to. 

Those long fingers of his draw tiny, soothing circles up and down my back. “I’ll call him.” Wrapping his arms around me in a giant bear hug, he kisses the top of my head. “My dad will take the case. I’ll make sure of it.” He buries his nose in my hair and inhales audibly. “Maybe I should take you home. This is a lot for you to deal with right now.”

“No,” I quickly say, because if I don’t go in there and rip the ginormous Band-Aid holding my freedom back off, I’ll lose my nerve. “I have to do this.” 

“Are you sure?” 

I nod. “Positive.” 

He pulls me into another bear hug. “If it becomes too much, I’ll be right out here, baby girl.” 

I know. 

My legs feel like rubber as I make my way into the house. 

Stomach churning, I head into the kitchen where I find my dad, Nadia, Jace, and Cole seated at the kitchen table. 

I asked Dylan and Sawyer to join us at the house later because I’m positive my brothers are going to need them. 

But right now it needs to be just us. 

I look at Nadia. “I’m go

Everyone looks at each other in confusion, but neither them nor Nadia protest. 

After kissing my dad on the cheek, she stands up. 

She’s passing me when I reach for her hand. “Don’t go too far, okay?” I offer her a warm smile. “He’s go

Nodding her head softly, she gives my hand a small squeeze. “Okay.” 

Then she’s gone. 

And it’s just me, my family…

And all the secrets I’ve been keeping from them.