Healing Rain (14 page)

Erik looks at Kas, fear, sadness, and anger apparent in his eyes, now realizing that this isn’t the first time Raina has been beaten by her father. The silence is deafening while they wait for the officer to confirm or deny that Raina is in the attic.

The seconds tick by torturously slowly until the officer comes back on the line. “Sir, we did find Mrs. Pierce in the attic.”

Kas hears the hesitance in the officer’s voice, and his blood runs cold, “Is she—how is she?”

“The ambulance is on the way, Agent Pierce,” the troubled voice of the officer continues, “she’s barely conscious, but was able to communicate a little.”

Kas squeezes his eyes shut and leans his head against the phone before speaking again, his voice hoarse and cracked, “Tell her that I love her, and I’m on my way.”

“Yes, sir, I will tell her myself.”

Jake puts his hand on Kas’ shoulder, not knowing what else to do.

Kas’ jaw clenches as he tries to control his rampaging emotions, “Play the rest of the recording.”

“Maybe that’s not a good idea right now,” Frank gently offers.

“I need to hear it,” Kas whispers.

Erik starts the recording again, and they listen helplessly to the sounds of Raina struggling with Waterford. The loud, sharp sounds of her father striking her cripples Kas. He drops his head into his hands when he hears the unmistakable sound of a belt being unbuckled, then hitting her, over and over again, the harsh bite of the belt resonating dismally throughout the vehicle. Kas clenches his fists tightly next to his hung head as tears rolls down his face when he hears the sharp, painful smacking sounds of the belt continue for what seems like eternity. He wants to throw the computer, smash it into a million pieces, as the abhorrent abuse attacks his ears, sending his emotions spiraling dangerously out of control. His heart feels like broken, sharp splinters as her father bitterly berates Raina, telling her she deserves it as he is beating her.

Austin accelerates even faster, his teeth grinding from the anger he is failing miserably at controlling right now. Russo glances in the rearview mirror, fighting tears of his own as he sees the broken state of his usually impenetrable leader. He can’t imagine what Kas is feeling, realizing that the anger and emotional torment ripping through his own heart must be a severe magnification for Kas right now.

The emphatic smack of the belt finally stops, and they hear a dull thud, then her father curse. More sounds of a struggle ring out, then several loud blows followed by a low groan from Raina. Kas wishes he could rip his heart out to stop the overwhelming pain when he hears Raina’s weakened voice asking her father to stop. A few more chilling thumps are heard before the recording dies.

Erik closes the laptop wordlessly, not knowing what to say. He loves Raina dearly and hearing her being viciously beaten almost choked the air out of him. He glances at Kas, noticing his rigid jaw and the burning rage and sorrow flooding his darkened eyes. “Raina stopped by this morning. She said she needed to pick up a transmitter for you,” Erik’s voice is almost inaudible, “I never would have given it to her if I had known the truth.”

Kas shakes his head, trying to gain some form of control, drowning in his own guilt of how he could have,
should
have
, prevented this. “You didn’t know, Erik.” He dials Henry’s number, choosing not to leave a detailed message about something like this when the voicemail comes on. Instead, he leaves a brief message, requesting for the judge to return his call. He dials Chase next, knowing that he would want to know what has happened. Chase doesn’t try to offer words of comfort, realizing that they are meaningless at the moment, he assures Kas that he is on his way.

“Her father is William Waterford, the lawyer?” Frank asks, trying to fit the pieces together.

Kas nods, his jaw clenching angrily as debilitating agony slashes through him.

Jake watches Kas, seeing his despair, his fury, and his heart constricts from the pain he knows Raina is feeling right now. He has his own memories of pain from an angry father, and his heart breaks at the knowledge of Raina suffering the same kind of anguished childhood.

Russo glances at Austin, taking in his white knuckles on the steering wheel. He knows Austin is trying to control his rage while he drives as fast as safely possible to get Kas to Raina. He turns in his seat to face his boss, “Where did the last name, Kapture, come from?”

Kas lets out a shaky, angry breath, having difficulty speaking, “She was emancipated when she was sixteen. She changed her name, came to D.C., trying to start over, to get away from her father.” He decides that it’s past time to get rid of all the secrecy surrounding Raina. They now know too much to not know the rest, so he tells them about her childhood, about Brian, about Chris. He tells them the real reason she was in Italy. Once all of the secrets are exposed, a small weight feels like it has been lifted. He trusts his team explicitly and even though he knows they would already do everything they could to protect her, now, he can see by their reactions that their dedication is even stronger after hearing all she has endured.

All is silent in the vehicle for a moment while the new information is digested. Jake rubs his hand down his face, disgusted with how her experiences have been far more depraving than his own harrowing upbringing. Austin remains silent while he concentrates on putting the distance behind them.

Kas silently stares out the window for several minutes before speaking again, “I should have forced the issue, I should have made her press charges the last time.”

Frank smiles ruefully, “You know that you can’t make Raina do anything once her mind is made up. You couldn’t have prevented this. Even if you knew what she was planning, you couldn’t have talked her out of it. She would have done it anyway, the second she had a chance, because she had it in her head that is the only way to clear you.”

Kas continues to stare out into the darkness, “Then, I should’ve have finished the bastard when I had the chance.”

Erik places his hand on Kas’ shoulder, “You don’t really believe that.”

Kas faces Erik, his eyes as dark as the starless night sky, “I don’t know what I believe anymore. All I know for sure right now, is if I had, he couldn’t have hurt her again.”

Jake understands the emotions behind Kas’ words, but also understands that they are temporary. He can relate to the kind of rage that fuels savage thoughts of retribution, but he also knows that the murderous feelings dissipate once who you really are inside breaks the seductive chains of beckoning vengeance.

The sound of Kas’ cell breaks through their disturbing thoughts. He gives Henry all of the details he knows right now, his hand shaking from his unrelenting grip on the phone. Hearing that Henry is in California for a conference, he talks him out of leaving, promising him that he will call him as soon as he learns more. The next several hours are arduously spent worrying and praying for Raina, hoping for the best, fearing the worst.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kas thinks of how her father has tried to break Raina for years. Waterford’s execrable words brutally littered upon Raina, repeat in his head. He knew her father has subjected her to emotional abuse, but hearing the severity of his degradation sickens and infuriates him. He remembers Chase mentioning how repeatedly hearing negative remarks leaves long lasting detrimental effects, and he is astounded at the emotional cruelty Raina has suffered from her father.

His heart feels like it’s being ripped from his chest when he remembers the look in her eyes when she had told him that she wasn’t good for him. Hearing her father’s brutality sheds light on so many things he has witnessed from her in the past. He swears to himself that he will do whatever it takes to outweigh her father’s blisteringly words with the truth of how amazing she truly is.

Russo had called Dexter on the way, and the agency director calls for an update as they pull into the large hospital parking lot. Kas quickly tells him that they just arrived, handing the phone to Erik as he sprints inside when Austin screeches to a halt at the front doors. His heart is rapidly palpitating in his chest as he is directed to her room. It’s just after 2:30 a.m. when the doctor meets him at the door.

“Agent Pierce?”

“Yes, I’m Raina’s husband, how is she?” he asks, impatient to get to her.

“I’m Doctor Tate. She is sleeping, we are currently administering pain medication. She is stable at the moment,” he begins, letting Kas know that her injuries are not life threatening, noting the immense relief that washes over Kas when he hears the news. “Although her injuries are not imminent, they are serious and numerous.”

Some of the relief Kas just experienced diminishes.

The rest of the crew arrives as the doctor continues, “She has a concussion and multiple welts and bruises. There is a considerable gash on the back of her head from where she struck the edge of a door. She was slightly disoriented when she arrived, but was able to give pertinent information.”

“Can I see her?” Kas asks, not able to wait any longer.

“Yes, but please don’t awaken her, she needs her rest.”

Kas nods his affirmation as the doctor opens the door. He walks into the darkened room to where Raina is sleeping. It takes a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the low lighting as he holds her hand and softly strokes her hair, trying to swallow his rage at the swollen bruises on her face. Her jaw looks broken, but the doctor assures him it’s not, just badly bruised. Her cheek and eye are also bruised, but not swollen as largely as her jaw. He gently traces his finger over the linear red marks from where her father had slapped her. Kas glances up, seeing the rest of them waiting at the door, and he motions them in, knowing their concern.

Kas inspects the rest of her uncovered skin, his teeth grinding at her bruised wrists, concluding that her father had held her down as he beat her with his belt. She has more bruises all over her arms and a large, raised, angry welt on her right arm. He needs to see the rest of her body, but doesn’t want to disturb her.

“How is she?” Chase whispers as he walks through the door, Sara is behind him, and Kas catches the expression of horror in her eyes when she sees Raina. “Sara was with me when you called.”

Kas gently runs the back of his fingers down Raina’s cheek before stepping into the hallway with Chase so he can relay the doctor’s information without waking her. “The doctor says she is stable, but has a concussion. I will feel better when I talk with her myself.”

Sara walks out of the room and hugs Kas before slipping her hand into Chase’s. Her lip is trembling, and Kas can tell she is trying not to cry. “I can’t believe her father did that to her. My parents never even spanked me growing up.” She can’t hold the tears back any longer, and they slowly roll down her face.

Chase wraps his arms around Sara as Kas turns to look at Raina, a warm feeling of appreciation seeps into him as he sees Jake holding her hand and Erik pulling her covers higher to keep her warm. A tall, brown haired officer who appears to be in his early thirties approaches them, holding his hand out to Kas, “I’m Officer Walker, we spoke on the phone.”

Kas takes his hand, shaking it, “Thank you for your quick response with my wife.”

Officer Walker looks over Kas’ shoulder, “How is she doing?”

“The doctor said she was a little disoriented.”

“She was lying on the attic floor bleeding from a head wound. It took her a few seconds to answer the questions we were asking her before the ambulance arrived.” Officer Walker sees the distress in Kas’ eyes, “She didn’t go down without a fight, Agent Pierce, we had to bring Mr. Waterford in for treatment as well.”

“He’s here?” Kas growls, clinching his fists, a deadly glare blazing in his eyes, and Chase grabs his arm firmly, afraid of what he might do.

Austin and Frank rush out, and Frank places a strong hand on Kas’ shoulder, both ready to help Chase try to hold Kas back if he decides to take care of Waterford himself.

“He was,” Officer Walker states quickly, seeing the readiness to deliver excruciating retribution in Kas’ eyes, “but he was released and is currently being held at the jail.”

Kas relaxes slightly when he hears that Raina’s father is finally behind bars, where he belongs. “Is there any chance of bail?”

“No. Judge Whitaker called and spoke with Judge Owen. There is no chance for bail.”

Relief floods through Kas at that assurance. Officer Walker hands Kas his card, telling him to call if he needs anything. He shakes Kas’ hand again before leaving.

Turning to Frank, Kas looks exhausted as he asks, “I want to get back in there with Raina, will you call Dexter and Henry to give them an update?”

“Yeah, boss, go take care of your girl.”

“Will you listen to the recording when you get a chance?” Kas asks Chase, his eyes darkening, “It’s not easy to hear, Chase.”

“I will see if there is a private room where I can listen to it.”

Kas nods his head, his expression letting his best friend know how relieved he is that he’s there.

Erik and Russo leave the room as Kas enters, but Jake hesitates, not releasing Raina’s hand.

Jake continues looking at Raina as he starts to speak, “I know this isn’t any of my business, but, please don’t yell at her for this.” He turns around, and Kas can see dueling emotions in his eyes.

“Are you alright, Jake?” he asks, sensing that there is more behind his request than Jake is saying.

“I know that what she did was crazy and dangerous, but she did it to protect you.”

“I know,” Kas assures, carefully studying him.

“She just did what she thought she needed to do.”

“I know,” Kas assures him again, realizing that Jake has some inside knowledge behind his words. “What are you trying to tell me?”

Jake faces Raina again, gently stroking her hand, “My dad used to beat my mom, my little brother, and me. I would distract him, take most of the beatings myself to protect them. After dad passed out, she would clean me up, then yell at me for what I did. I know she was just scared, but she wouldn’t leave, even after we begged her to. So, I paid attention to when dad was ready to go on a rampage, and I would get in his face, take the hits until he was done. She never left, but always yelled at me for what I did.”

Kas places his hand on Jake’s arm, hating one of his men, his good friend, experienced a childhood like that. He looks at him reassuringly, “I’m not going to yell at her.”

Jake strokes Raina’s hand one last time then turns to leave but Kas stops him, “Jake...you did good.”

Jake nods and gives a small smile at Kas’ words as he leaves the room. Kas brushes a kiss across Raina’s forehead before pulling a chair up to the bed, taking her hand in his. Memories of the sounds of Waterford mercilessly hurting Raina, and Jake’s confession, swirl around in his over-stressed mind. He grabs his phone, calling his father, appreciating him more than ever and needing him right now.

Raina
winces
when
she tries to roll over. She feels a hand squeezing hers before she hears Kas’ voice whispering her name. Slowly, she opens her eyes, blinking at the harshness of the light.

“Easy, baby,” Kas gently coaxes when she tries to sit up.

Raina bites back a groan. Pain shoots through her as she tries to raise herself. Kas takes her arm and places his hand on her back to help her, but quickly pulls away when her back arches from pain, and a gasp escapes her lips before she can squelch it.

Remembering the nauseating sounds of her father’s belt repeatedly striking her, his eyes shoot to hers, full of dread.

“I’m fine,” she smiles, trying to calm his concern.

Ignoring her choice of words, he gently takes her hands and helps her up. He studies her as she moves, realizing that he is going to have to carefully read her body’s reaction to the pain, knowing full-well that she won’t tell him how much she is hurting. He grinds his teeth as he sees her trying her best to disguise the discomfort. Taking her pillow, he raises it for her, but gently grabs her shoulder when she starts to lean back. “I need to see, sweetheart.”

Raina lowers her gaze. She wants to tell him no, not wanting Kas to see what her father did to her, but remains quiet, knowing her protests would be fruitless.

Kas carefully opens the back of her hospital gown, and Raina closes her eyes when she hears Kas’ sharp intake of breath. Hot, pulsating rage fills his every pore when he sees the raised, red, angry welts completely covering her back. He wants to sit down and cry when he sees that her father hit her so hard with his belt that it bit through her skin in places. With shaky hands, he pulls down the blanket and lifts her hospital gown. He angrily rakes his hands through his hair at the sight of the alarming combination of bruises and welts on her legs. Sorrow stabs straight to his soul when he examines the large bruise covering her entire outside upper thigh. “Did he kick you, Raina?” his words drip with pure contempt.

Raina can’t bring herself to look at him, and Kas spits out a strong expletive she has never heard him say before. Tears well in her eyes, “I’m sorry,” she whispers.

Kas reins in his anger when he sees her fighting back tears. He thinks of the recording and how he didn’t hear her cry, not once, while her father beat her. Jake’s words ring through his mind, and he doesn’t want to be the cause of her tears. He sits on the bed next to her and takes her hand in his as he very gently tilts her chin. A tear escapes, and he brushes it away with his thumb. He can tell that she is fighting hard to hold back the tears, and he furiously berates himself for not being able to keep his cool. “I’m not fussing at you, baby girl.”

Raina bites her lip to control her tears, but Kas runs his thumb softly across her bottom lip, freeing it. “Look at me, Rain,” he demands gently.

Hesitantly, she meets Kas’ gaze, and the uncertainty in her eyes nearly destroys him. “You’re not angry with me?”

Kas wants to pull her into his arms, but he’s afraid he might accidentally hurt her. Truth is, he is furious with her for putting herself in a situation that landed her in the hospital again. But his worry greatly outweighs his anger. He knows that she is in no condition to be lectured right now, and despite Jake’s concern, he would never yell at her when she is hurting. “I’m mad as hell at your father,” he manages to keep his tone calm and low, “but all I want to do with you right now is hold you. Rain, I was so scared.” Kas chokes on his last words.

Raina pushes past the pain as she leans towards Kas, desperately needing to be in his arms.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t hurt me.”

Kas slips his hand around the back of her neck, careful not to touch the cut, and gently pulls her into him. He kisses the top of her head, running his hand soothingly up and down her arm. “What am I going to do with you, darlin’?” he whispers.

“Love me.”

Kas closes his eyes, the love he has for her almost overwhelming him at the moment, “Always.”

Kas opens Raina’s door and takes her hand, helping her out. He hates that she had to endure such a long ride, knowing she had to be very uncomfortable, even though she never complained. Cliff meets them at the door.

“Hey, Dad.” Kas gives his father a quick hug.