Chapter 38 #2
Violet grabbed Delaney’s arm, yanking her back into the shadows. “Get down!” she hissed, pulling her into a crouch so they’d be hidden by surrounding bushes.
Delaney struggled to keep her balance with Charlotte’s weight in her arms. The child’s cries were growing louder.
“Keep her quiet,” Violet hissed.
It was the last thing she wanted to do, but Delaney cupped the back of Charlotte’s head, gently pressing the child’s face into her shoulder. “Shh, honey. I need you to be very quiet right now.” Her heart thumped so hard she wondered if Charlotte could feel it.
Charlotte hiccuped, her small body shuddering with the effort to control her tears. She seemed to be trying, her tiny fingers gripping Delaney’s blouse.
The police cruiser’s taillights disappeared around the bend, leaving them in darkness. But hope ignited in Delaney’s heart. The police were here. They were looking.
Noah was close too. She knew it.
The thought of him sent a wave of longing through her so intense that it was almost physical pain.
“This is your fault,” Violet snapped. “You called them.”
“I told you, I was at the airport, and I got your address. I wanted to check it out. I was alone.” Delaney kept her voice steady. “But they’re looking for Charlotte, of course.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“I am. I told you—”
“You’re lying.” She pressed the gun to Delaney’s temple.
Oh God oh God oh God. Please… Protect Charlotte.
Delaney was the child’s only chance to reunite with Noah. She pressed her little head harder against her shoulder, not willing to let her see what was happening.
What do I do? What do I do!
“I called them.” She squeezed her eyes closed and inhaled the sweet, sweet scent of the child in her arms. Peace came with the cool air. “When I saw you leave your apartment, I followed you, and I called the police.”
“They’re here, then.” Violet didn’t sound afraid. She sounded resigned.
Which was even more terrifying.
Delaney opened her eyes again. “I lost cell service before I saw your car. They only had a general idea of where I was.”
The woman’s eyes flicked around, looking for enemies or escape, but she didn’t lower the gun. If Charlotte weren’t in her arms, Delaney might try to disarm her, but she didn’t dare risk a stray bullet hurting the innocent child.
The metal bored into her skin. Charlotte whimpered against her, and Delaney’s heart shattered at the sound. This beautiful child should be protected by her mother, not endangered.
“We’re surrounded.” Violet’s breathing turned ragged. “We’re surrounded, and it’s your fault.” The gun trembled against Delaney’s temple. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. Freddie said—“ She cut herself off with a strangled sound.
“Freddie betrayed you. Violet, please.” Delaney’s voice cracked. “Think about Charlotte. She’s scared. She needs—“
“Don’t tell me what my daughter needs!” The words exploded, and Charlotte flinched in Delaney’s arms. “You don’t know anything about being a mother!”
“You’re right,” she said softly. “I’m not her mother. But I love her, and I know you do too.”
Violet made a sound that might have been a sob. The pressure of the gun lessened, and then she stood, aiming down at Delaney.
“Get up,” Violet commanded. “We’re going there.” She nodded in the direction behind Delaney.
She stood and lifted Charlotte, snuggling her close, peering through the trees toward the dark structure she’d spotted earlier. It looked abandoned, a place to hide.
A place where no one would find them.
Delaney stumbled forward, Charlotte clinging to her, each step taking them deeper into danger. As they approached, the structure’s weathered siding and sagging porch became clearer. They spoke of years of neglect, windows like empty eye sockets staring back at them.
But maybe someone was watching. Delaney had left her rental nearby. Maybe someone had noticed it.
Please, let someone see us. Let someone intervene before she gets us inside.
“Move faster,” Violet hissed, jabbing the gun into Delaney’s back.
Charlotte’s tears had subsided to silent shudders, her little body curled against Delaney as if she were trying to disappear.
Delaney pressed her lips to the child’s forehead, wishing she could absorb all her fear. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, praying it was true.
They circled to the back of the one-story house, where nobody would see them from the road. Wooden porch steps groaned under their weight.
“Open the door.”
Delaney tried it, but the knob didn’t turn. “It’s locked.”
“Then kick it in.”
Right. Because it was that easy. She turned slowly. “Let me try the windows.”
Violet seemed to consider that, lips rubbing together. “Put her down. Lottie, come to Mama.”
Charlotte clung to Delaney, burying her face in her shoulder. The rejection was obvious, and Violet stiffened.
“She’s just scared,” Delaney said. “It’s dark, and she doesn’t understand what’s happening.”
“She understands her mother wants her,” Violet snapped, her voice rising. “Do as I say.”
“It’s okay.” Every maternal instinct screamed at Delaney not to release this terrified child. But Violet wasn’t in her right mind. Delaney needed to tread very carefully right now. She tried to set Charlotte on her feet, but her little legs and arms locked around her like vices.
“No!” Charlotte wailed. “No, Miss Laney! Don’t let go!”
“I have to, sweetie,” Delaney whispered, her heart splintering. “Just for a minute.”
Charlotte’s fingernails dug into Delaney’s skin as she tried to pry her loose.
“This is your fault,” Violet hissed. “You’ve poisoned her against me.”
“She’s just scared of the dark. And the gun. Please, put it away.”
“So you can run? Not likely.”
As if she’d leave Charlotte alone with Violet.
Think. When she crouched down, she was able to set Charlotte’s feet on the boards.
She took her little face in her hands. “Sweetie, I’m just going to get inside so I can open the door.
It’ll be warmer in there. You stay here with your mother. She won’t hurt you. She loves you.”
As much as she was able, anyway.
Charlotte’s eyes were wide and terrified, but she let Delaney stand and step away.
Delaney descended the porch steps and tried the first window. Locked.
But the second, when she pushed hard, slid upward. She managed to get it high enough to squeeze through.
“Go on, then,” Violet said. “You have ten seconds to open the door.”
She didn’t speak the threat, but it was clear. Maybe she wouldn’t hurt her daughter, but Delaney couldn’t know for sure.
She heaved herself through the window and landed hard on the dusty floor inside.
The smell of mold and decay filled her nostrils as she scrambled to her feet.
Her hands swept along the wall until she found a door frame.
She stepped through, her eyes adjusting to the low light.
It was an empty living room. She headed toward the back of the house, found the door, then fumbled for a handle.
She unlocked it and pulled the door open.
Violet stood rigid, the gun trained downward. Charlotte cowered against the railing.
“Go on, honey,” Violet said, gesturing with the weapon. “Inside.”
Charlotte launched herself at Delaney, who lifted her up again, the little girl’s arms immediately wrapping around her neck.
Violet followed, closing the door behind them. The sound echoed through the empty house like a gunshot.
The room was cloaked in darkness.
Would anyone think to look for them here? And if someone did show up…
What would Violet do?