RICKY'S POV:
I was in the process of putting Casey to bed when a knock at the front door sounded. Finishing off his bedtime story, I said goodnight and kissed him on the forehead, switching his night light on, shutting the door to behind me as I left the room and walked into the living room, being greeted by Brax and a police detective…
"Ricky, this is DS Shepherd" Brax informed me "DS Shepherd, this is my partner, Ricky, she's Adam's sister"
I shook DS Shepherd's hand and proceeded to putting the kettle on, organising the three of us a drink, taking a seat at the table next to Brax a few minutes later…
"Mr. Braxton, can I first ask why you didn't contact the police about this crime before now?" DS Shepherd questioned
"Adam was threatening my family's safety" Brax informed him "I was scared"
DS Shepherd nodded in understanding and jotted some notes down… "And what's made you come forward now?"
"We believe he attacked my brother, or one of his contacts did" he replied "and his lawyer's a crook. Manages to get him off charges of possession of drugs somehow"
DS Shepherd jotted some more notes down… "Miss. Sharpe, around the time of the attack, can you remember how your brother was acting?"
"He was suspicious and secretive, but that's nothing new" I informed him "he's a crook, plain and simple. He needs to be punished for everything he's got away with"
"Everything? Do you know more of what he's been involved in?" he questioned
"Drugs mostly I think" I replied "but I have reason to believe there could've been some trafficking in there too, not to mention the GBH of both Brax's brother, this man who's in hospital, and me…"
"What?" Brax asked, shocked
"He abused you?" DS Shepherd inquired
I swallowed a lump in my throat and nodded my head, signalling yes… "It was nothing, really; a slap here and there, a punch, a black eye or two. Nothing significant"
"It's significant, Miss. Sharpe" he informed me "I think we've got enough to be going on for now. If his lawyer has managed to get him released, where do you think he could be?"
"The most likely place is our old home" I admitted
BRAX'S POV:
"I'll see you out" I informed DS Shepherd after Ricky had given him her old home address. Waking back into the kitchen, she was busying herself washing up the cups we'd used...
"Stop staring, Brax" she sighed
"I'm just wondering how you could lie to me for so long" I admitted
"I didn't lie" she replied "I just didn't tell you what Adam was doing to me"
"And you should've" I informed her
"What would you have done?" she questioned, turning to face me "you'd have beaten him up and got yourself arrested. I needed you because you were the only person I could turn to whenever it happened, so that's why I didn't tell you. I was protecting you"
I sighed and walked over to her, placing my hands on her waist… "And how did you cover it up? The bruises and the black eyes?"
"Make up" she informed me
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into me, exhaling a breath I didn't know I'd been holding…
RICKY'S POV:
As Brax and I pulled apart he pressed a kiss to my forehead, smiling at me warmly…
"How do you fancy a walk on the beach?" he questioned
"What about Casey?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him
"I can knock on Heath's door, ask him to listen out for him" he informed me "so, what do you say?"
I nodded my head, signalling yes, smiling at him warmly…
So, yet another shock has come out – when are Ricky and Brax going to get a break?