Chapter Eight
Briar and Blade returned home by lunchtime, happily grinning at some joke that they'd cracked. The client meeting in the morning went well and was soon over. They then headed to Austin to find a ring. Briar wanted to confess his love and propose to Alexia. He knew it was early, but he couldn't help himself. He was in love and wanted her in his arms, in his bed every night and day and whenever he wanted, forever and forever. He had thought of proposing right away.
The moment Briar entered the house, he sensed that something was wrong. His mom, aunt Daisy and grandma had been crying. His father sat at a corner holding his head. His grandpa simply stared blankly outside the window. Uncle Jamie was consoling the women. "What happened?" He asked, confused by their behavior.
"Alexia's father dragged her against her will to Austin. We all had a huge fight with him," said his mom.
Briar, sat down shocked at the news. How could she leave? She was a grown woman, couldn't she fight for them? Angry at everything he banged his fist against the wall, repeatedly. His dad held him away. Briar's knuckles were bleeding profusely. His mom gasped in horror, "Damn her father. Why did she go with him?" He asked.
"She didn't have a choice. He dragged her to the car. He's too strong and stubborn for her to resist. She was so helpless before his power," said his grandma.
Extricating himself from his father's hold, he picked up his car keys and started for the door. His dad caught him, "Where are you going, Briar? You're not in your senses, son," he said calmly.
"To get her dad, to get her. Can't you see she doesn't want to go? I will do anything to get her back," he said, his mind was going crazy. She was his. How could her father take her away from him? Tears pricked at his eyes as he wiped them angrily. His family sat stunned at his reaction. They never realised how deeply he felt for the girl. His mom, aunt Daisy sobbed at his helpless state.
"You can't go anywhere in this state, son. Calm down first," said uncle Jamie.
"No, I can't calm down. She's my life. I can't live without her," he yelled.
"He threatened to make Bronson's life miserable if we interfere, Briar. Bronson is in his university. Please, give it time. After a few days, when things cool down, you can go and get your girl. Till then pull yourself together," said grandpa, getting up and comforting the boy.
Briar nodded and left the house. He needed to clear his head and get a grip over himself. He couldn't stay at home and see the empty cottage where she lived and face the reality, the fact that his Alexia was gone.
When he didn't return for a day, his family got worried. They informed the sheriff and launched a search party. Lucas, his friend and Brian, his cousin also joined in.
Briar didn't return home for a week. The sheriff couldn't trace him anywhere. The whole family was in a state of shock and trauma. They were thinking of contacting a PI, when the police brought home an unconscious Briar. His clothes were torn and soaking wet, he reeked of alcohol. There was a deep gash on his forehead that had turned black. The blood had solidified and the wound looked at least two days old.
"What happened, sheriff? Where did you find him?" Asked uncle Jamie as he opened the door and rushed out followed by grandpa, Blade, Brody and uncle Rob. His mom, grandma and aunt Daisy too left everything and rushed outside.
"Oh, we found him unconscious in the brook beside that cottage, over there. We looked everywhere but didn't check that cottage backyard. He might have been drunk when he fell into the brook. He banged his head against something and lost consciousness. We've called an ambulance. We will have to take him to the hospital," said the sheriff.
The ambulance came soon and they took Briar. Blade and his dad went in the ambulance. Brody followed with aunt Olivia and his own dad in his truck.
At the hospital, Briar was immediately admitted to the emergency department. His wound was looked into. It needed three stitches. After eight hours Briar opened his eyes. They were dull, lifeless and in deep pain.
"W water," he said, his lips were parched.
Olivia gave him some water. She stroked his hair out of his forehead. "Everything will get better, sweetie. Just have patience. Get a grip over yourself. Gain some strength and pursue her. Bring her home," she said, trying to give him some comfort.
He hugged her,"You think she'll come with me?" He asked hesitantly.
"Yes, she will. I saw her when she was dragged away. Her eyes were searching for you. She loves you," his mom said. Briar's eyes shone with a new hope. Yes, he would not wallow in self pity any more. He would shift his brother to a different university first and then go and get his girl, by hook or by crook.
Determined he smiled at his mom," I love you, mom," he said.as his mom kissed the top of his head.
"Love you more, sweetie. Don't do something like this ever again. Promise me. We are all here for you if you need us. That's what family is for. Isn't it?" she said as Briar smiled.
"Yes, mom. I promise," he said. They discharged him within 24 hours. His family took him home. Bryce had come back from his honeymoon. He was very upset that no one thought it necessary to inform him.
Ivory went to meet Briar in his room. He was lying down, with his eyes closed, thinking about how his life would have been if his Alexia hadn't been taken away. The sound of a soft knock, brought him back to reality.
Ivory opened the door and came in."Are you resting? I can come later then," she said hesitantly.
"No, no. Please come in," he said.
"So, how was the honeymoon?" He asked, winking.
"Forget that. Why didn't you call us Briar?" She scolded him.
"I couldn't spoil your time together," he told her honestly.
"You should have informed us. This was an emergency and we had the right to know." She complained. "So, what are you planning now?" She asked.
"I will hunt her down and go, get her," he said.
"That won't be necessary. I'll give you her address and phone number. You just get her," she said and Briar grinned happily. Ivory wrote down her uncle's Austin address and Alexia's phone number and left.
He would gain his strength in a few days. Then there would be no stopping him.
