Chapter Eighty-One
Emily
The world feels like it remains in chaos as Ramirez hauls Chad to his feet while Jake cuffs him and recites his Miranda Rights.
Chief Carter busts through the front door with a highway patrolman on his heels. “Good work, everyone.” He strides through the room in three massive steps. “I’ll take it from here.” He nods at Jake. “Go see to Emily.”
Grace. I blink and run over to Mackenzie, who’s sitting on her knees, studying the baby. Her baby.
None of that matters right now. I drop to my knees beside her and unbuckle Grace from the baby carrier.
“Are you okay?” I slide the restraint off Grace’s right shoulder. “I know that’s a stupid question. There’s no way you’re all right with everything that’s going on, but do you need to go to the hospital?”
Grace whimpers as I pull her into my arms while soothing her with hushed words and reassuring pats.
“No.” Mackenzie plops down on her butt and wraps her arms around her bent knees. “Nothing is broken. He’s hurt me a lot worse than he did today.” She shrugs. “Thankfully.”
The man is a despicable piece of shit.
“Are you okay?” Jake squats down, running his eyes over Grace and me as he grips my shoulder. The rage building in his expression increases as he assesses me from head to toe.
“I’m fine. We’re all fine. He didn’t get the chance to rough us up. Mackenzie kept him distracted and then separated us so that he couldn’t keep the gun trained on anyone. It’s because of her….” I smile at him. “And you, that we’re all safe.”
“I’d save you every day of the week, but you didn’t need me.
You were doing a fine job of protecting yourself.
I couldn’t be prouder of you for keeping your head on straight during the scariest moment of your life.
” He kisses my temple. “I’m sorry.” He leans his forehead against mine while putting his hand on Grace’s back.
“This is all my fault for dragging you into this mess.”
“No, it isn’t.” Mackenzie rushes to her feet, standing over us and glaring daggers at Chad as they lead him through the living room, feet dragging on the floor like his stupid ass boots scrapping the rotten brown carpet are going to save him from prison.
Nothing will. He’s now added production and distribution of drugs, prostitution of a minor, and holding three people hostage at gunpoint to his arrest record. Nothing is going to save him.
And when he gets to prison, he’s going to be lucky if he’s not killed. He stole his father’s money as his get out of jail free card, and now, he can’t pay it back.
“She’s right.” I kiss Grace’s head as she snuggles against me.
The faint scent of baby powder and shampoo fills my nose.
“None of this is your fault.” My eyes narrow when he doesn’t look convinced.
“I mean it. I love you, and I love that you’re a police officer.
That you care about this town. That you’ll put your life–”
“And yours and Grace’s lives in danger.”
“Don’t.” By this point, I’m squinting so hard that I’m nearly blocking out Chad’s venomous threats as Chief Carter slams the door behind them.
Ramirez points the remaining uniformed officers to different locations throughout the house. I don’t know most of them, but they appear polished and professional as they log details in their open notepads. No one wants to mess up this case.
I grasp Jake’s chin. “You didn’t put us in danger. Chad acted on his own accord. He did this. No one else did.”
“Fine.” He rolls his eyes and kisses the tip of my nose. “I’ll let you win this argument because….” He clears his throat and swallows. Hard. “Fuck,” he coughs out as tears fill his eyes. “I almost lost the most important people in my life. I love you and Grace so much.”
I splay my fingers along his jaw. “We’re fine.”
“I know.” He inhales, stands, and extends a hand to me. “But It doesn’t change that losing you would kill me., and I almost lost you. It’s going to take more than a few minutes to regain my composure.”
When we’re on even ground, I grasp his arm and turn to Mackenzie. “I….” What do I say to her? She’s Grace’s mother. The enormous ball in my throat refuses to let me get another word out.
“Don’t.” She shakes her head. “I take it you’ve named the baby Grace.
” A small smile curves her cheeks. “It’s a beautiful name, but Chad being gone doesn’t change anything.
I can’t be her mother. I’m not ready to be a mother.
” Tears fill her eyes. “I have no family. No friends.” She lifts her shoulder.
“No one. And Grace deserves better than that.”
“I–”
“Let me finish.” Mackenzie crosses her arms over her chest, hugging herself like one of those weighted stuffed animals with the clasped together hands.
“Okay.” I owe her that much, and so much more. For my life. For Grace’s. For the possibility of raising her baby that I’m already head over heels in love with. I owe her everything.
“I didn’t want to relive any of it, which is why I didn’t say anything. And Chad didn’t know I was pregnant. If he would’ve known, he’d have sold her to the highest bidder.” Darkness fills her eyes.
“I don’t know who the father is. I didn’t even realize until the next morning what happened because I was passed out. Chad has a habit of drugging my food or drinks. Not every time.” She swallows hard. “Only when he wanted me out of the way. Or when he wanted to ensure I didn’t fight back.”
She relays the remaining details while the others scurry around the room, seizing evidence.
I hold Grace tighter with each word as Jake pulls me close to his chest. Mackenzie never stood a chance. Does she now? Or is it too late?