Phil had started to tremble, the rage inside him burning hot. He was gearing up to explode, and I knew that he’d never forgive himself, his father, even me, if I let this happen in front of my da. Phil went ugly when in a rage. I had seen it. He had it inside him to make Krakatoa look like a zit popping.
Turning to my da, I said, “We have to go. Now.”
“Wha’?” he asked, startled and confused.
“Get Connor. Gloria, take Da, and get Connor. Go around the side of the house. I’ll meet you out front.”
“You’re leavin’ me?” Phil asked, incredulous.
“I’m saving you from going all Hulk in front of Da!” I hissed.
His jaw clenched. “Don’t leave with them.”
“Okay. I’ll just walk them out. I’ll be here.”
“How could you?” Danielle whispered hotly to her father as my own parents went through the sliding door to the patio.
My eyes met Louis’s as I made my way after my family, and I could see that he was sorry. I hoped my own eyes spoke of forgiveness to him. The four of us made it to the side of the house before we heard the explosion that was Phil’s voice.
“You knew I was looking for her! You knew the whole fucking time where she was!”
“Ah, Jaysus!” said Da. “No wonder he’s the lead singer. That bluidy voice carries, don’ it?”
Connor busted out laughing, and I couldn’t help but smirk.
Leave it to Da to see some sort of humor in this situation.
We could still hear Phil roaring as we made it to the truck.
“I’m sorry, lass—”
“No worries, Da. He’d have figured it out sooner or later,” I replied.
“Will ye no’ come home wi’ us?”
“I can’t leave him like this. He’s hurting.”
Da nodded, and Gloria pulled me into a hug.
“It was a lovely time.” She smiled. “They’ll get past this. Those two love each other very much. You can feel the love in that family. I’m happy we’re joining it.”
By now, Louis’s booming baritone had joined in with Phil’s.
Da laughed. “A’weel, we know where the boy gets it from.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I told them. “Connor?”
“Yeah?”
“If everything is settled, you want to come hang out tomorrow?”
“Hells yes.”
“Language!” barked Da.
Rolling his eyes, Connor pulled me in for a hug. “Soothe that beast in him, Baby Girl.”
“Caught on to that, did you?”
Pulling back, he looked into my eyes. “Not for a second did I ever think you were Phil fucking—”
“Language!” Da barked again.
“Deveraux’s Baby Girl. But it’s like, really, who else could it be?”
That made me laugh. “Why do you say that?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I watched as they pulled out of the driveway and into the street. Turning, I headed back to the house, toward the front steps, just as Phil burst out of them.
“Babe?” I asked.
He stormed past me, toward his Charger. My chest filled with icy fear. Phil hadn’t even acknowledged me!
“Phil!” I cried and hurried after him.
“Stay the fuck away from me!” he snarled as he wrenched open the door and got in his car.
I was beyond terrified. It felt as though my soul had just splintered into millions of fragments, and for that very moment, I knew what it would be like if I ever lost him. I couldn’t lose him. I’d never survive.
“Phil, please!” I cried out in desperation.
Danielle was right behind me, grabbing my arm. “Let him go.”
“What?” Unthinkable.
“He’s furious enough to do damage. When that happens, you have to just let him go, Kenna.”
“I’m not allowed to let him go,” I told her, my voice sounding shaky and weak. “He told me to never let him go again.”
Wrapping her arms around me, she hugged me tight. “He’ll be fine, I promise. He’s coming back. If for nothing else, he’ll always come back for you.”
We waited for an hour and a half. Then, I left with X and Alys to head back to the Plantation House. Jason and Sheri decided to drive around, looking for Phil, since he’d refused to answer his phone. I called and sent text messages, all to no avail.
Never, not once, had Phil ever ignored me.
Alone, I let myself into his half of his house and made my way up to the bedroom. I stripped down and showered. I checked my phone but nothing. I got dressed in my jeans and a plain T-shirt and checked my phone. Nothing.
Sitting at the island in the kitchen, I busied myself with rolling a blunt. I