Chapter 25
“Who’s got your attention over there? That hubby of yours finally coming home?”
Natalie bit her lip before smiling at Emma. “Sorry I’m a bit distracted. Addie’s sitter isn’t going to be able to make it tonight. Stomach bug or food poisoning. Either way, it’s not pretty. I know we we’re supposed to have grown up girl time?—”
“Nat, I love Addie. She doesn’t need to go anywhere. I can keep things PG in front of her.”
“But you need to vent, and I have a big bottle of wine for us to finish before sleepover time.” Nat looked around her living room. “Bingo! I’ll have her watch a movie on her tablet. She can wear her headphones.”
“See, a perfect solution. And I’m glad I’ll get some more time with the both of you.”
“Addie! Come here, baby,” Nat called out towards Addie’s bedroom.
The precocious little girl bounced down the hall and into the living room.
“Em! Want to see my dance routine? I’ve been practicing every day trying to get ready for my recital!”
“I would love to, sweet pea. I bet you are going to be the best dancer up there. I can’t wait to watch you this weekend.”
“You’re coming?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Addie lunged forward and melted in Emma’s arms. “Thanks, Emma.”
“Alright kiddo, how about you put your headphones on and pick a movie to watch on your tablet. I’m going to order some food tonight, so you can show Emma your dance after dinner,” Nat called from the kitchen.
“Okay, Mommy.”
Addie plopped down with her tablet and headphones in front of their bookshelf, almost immediately lost in her princess movie.
“That’ll give us at least an hour of talking time,” she said as she handed Emma a glass of wine that was filled all the way to the brim.
“Nat!” she laughed. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“You know it,” Natalie winked. “You deserve to just unwind after the last few weeks. How are you holding up?”
Emma took a long sip of the drink, enjoying the way it almost immediately helped her relax.
“I honestly just want this whole mess to be over with. I’m ready for all the women in Clarence County with brown hair and hazel eyes to be safe again.”
“It’s so wild to think that all those women were targeted because they looked like you.”
“I don’t know how to ever get over that, honestly. I feel so guilty.”
“No, Em. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. It’s not your fault. Have you thought about talking to someone?”
“I have Sebastian. Although, we’re not really seeing eye to eye at the moment about things.”
“I mean, have you talked to a professional? A therapist, maybe? Or a counselor? I don’t know. From what you’ve shared about your past, and everything that’s happened now, it might be a good idea.” Natalie took a sip of her wine. “I know I’m not allowed to know everything that’s going on, but I gathered that the meeting yesterday didn’t go too well for you both.”
“You’re probably right about needing to see a professional, Nat. I just want to see that the guys are successful in their take down. Then I can deal with the whole shit-show going on in my mind.”
Emma’s phone buzzed.
“You need to get that?” Natalie asked.
Looking at the screen, she saw Daisy’s name flashing.
“It’s Daisy. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all. I’ll order our dinner while you chat.”
“Thanks, Nat.” Emma smiled and quickly accepted the call. “Hey, Daisy.”
“Em! Are you okay? I went by the hotel because I forgot to invite you out to the farm for dinner when we were together earlier, but you’re not there and then I saw all the guys eating at Sal’s on my way to storm Sebastian’s apartment. What’s going on? Why aren’t you with one of them?”
“It’s okay. I’m fine, I promise. I’m at Natalie’s. Just having a girl’s night with her and Addie.”
“I thought you were always going to have one of the guys with you, for protection?” Her voice was filled with concern, and Emma couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.
“Gage was going to stay, but they installed a security system here at Natalie’s when she first moved in and he knows it’s top of the line. He even came in with me and looked everything over before he left. Besides, if anything were to happen, all the guys would get a notification and come running. I promise I’m okay.”
“She said she’s at Natalie’s and she’s okay…” Daisy said away from the phone.
“Who are you talking to?” Emma asked.
“Just the Sheriff of Clarence County, who was about to launch a full scale search for you.”
Emma laughed. “I love that you both care so much about me, but I promise, I’m fine. Why didn’t you go up to the guys and ask?”
“We’re sitting outside of Sal’s right now in case you didn’t answer. But I’m team Emma until the end of times, so even though I don’t like the idea of you putting yourself in danger, if Seb can’t get his head out of his ass, then I don’t want to talk to him unless it’s life or death.”
“Have I ever told you that you are the best friend a girl could ask for?”
“Maybe a time or two.”
“Well, I’m about to say it again.”
“Yes, okay Hank, I’ll tell her,” again, her voice was slightly distanced from the phone. “My very bossy husband would like me to tell you that we are happy you’re okay, but I need to hang up so we can go home and get to bed, seeing as how we’re not having you over for dinner tonight.”
“Bed, huh?”
Daisy laughed. “You know these pregnancy hormones are no joke, and I have to take advantage of having a handsome husband when I can.”
“Girl, go get some. I’m happy for you guys.”
“Oh, you know I will. But seriously, Em, if something comes up and you don’t want to call the guys, just let us know. We can be there whenever.”
“I probably don’t say this enough, Daisy, but I love you and Hank.”
“We love you too. Oh!” Em heard Daisy gasp.
“What?”
“The baby just kicked me, hard. I think they’re trying to say they love you too.”
Emma forced the emotion searing in her throat down. “I love that little cupcake so much. See you guys later.”
“Bye, Em.”
* * *
“Her teacher tried to say it was going to be all unexcused absences, but I don’t even care. She’s about to be seven, and I want to take her on this trip so badly. What’s missing two weeks of school at that age even going to do to her? Certainly not a lifetime of damage!”
Emma was loving this night. Her friendship with Natalie had been such a bright spot in the darkness that recently overshadowed her life.
“Yeah, that sounds crazy to me. What are you guys going to do when you’re in Florida? I’ve always wanted to see a manatee in person.”
“Yes! It’s on my bucket list too. Addie and I have been reading about them at night. Oh, but speaking of water…” Natalie jumped up from her seat. “That wine went right through me! Bathroom’s calling.”
Emma laughed and grabbed her cell as her friend ran towards the bathroom.
No new messages. Nothing from Sebastian, even after she’d reached out. He was probably just trying to come up with the best strategy to convince her not to help with Marco. Well, the joke was on him, because nothing was going to stop her. The doorbell chimed, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Oh shoot, Em, can you grab that for me? It’ll be the delivery guy! I’ll disarm the security system from my phone,” Natalie yelled from the bathroom and Emma laughed.
“Sure thing, babe. But you might want to hurry because those dumplings will be gone in the next two minutes.” Emma walked to the front door, watched the red light turn green on the security panel and grabbed the handle. “Hey, thanks for the speedy del—” her breath caught in her throat and nausea rolled through her stomach as she braced against the door.
What should she do? She needed to scream. She needed to run. She needed to slam the door in his face. Natalie and Addie needed to be protected.
DO SOMETHING EMMA!
“Imogene.”
“M-Marco. Get the fuck out of here, right now.”
She threw her weight behind the door, trying to slam it in his face, but his foot stomped into place in the opening. Pushing through the door, Emma stood between Marco and Nat and Addie. She wouldn’t let him harm them.
“I’m here to see my wife.”
“You don’t get to call me that you sick, deranged, asshole.” Emma watched a horrific smile grow across his face.
“He’s not talking about you, Emma,” Natalie smiled, removing the headphones from Addie’s head.
“Mama?” Addie questioned, looking around the room until her eyes landed on Marco. Emma thought the little girl would be scared at the intrusion of a man she didn’t know. She never expected Addie’s face to light up with joy.
“Daddy!! You’re here!” Marco held out his arms and Emma watched in horror as Addie bounced towards him, giggling with joy as he spun her around and around and around. She didn’t seem dizzy, but Emma sure as hell felt like she was. What was happening?
“Imogene, I heard you’ve been such a good friend to my wife and daughter. How ever will I repay you?” The smug smile was plastered back on his face as Natalie walked over and planted a kiss on his lips. “Babe, why don’t you take Addie out for some ice cream?”
“Daddy, aren’t you coming with us? I missed you!”
“Oh honey, daddy wants to catch up with Emma. She’s an old friend. You go with mommy and I’ll see you in a little bit, okay?”
“I don’t want to! You just got home and I want to stay with you.”
“Adeline. Go with your mom, now. I promise I’ll have a surprise waiting for you when you get back.”
Emma watched the pout on the little girls face turn to a bright smile.
“Okay, daddy! I love you!”
“I love you too, piccola luna.”
Little moon.
Oh, shit. If her entire world wasn’t spinning out of control before, it really was now. Natalie smiled at her knowingly, grabbing Addie’s hand and taking her outside of the house before Emma could stop them and ask any questions. There was no doubt in her mind, Addie was her Luna. And she’d been so close to her that entire time.
Warm tears spilled down her face as she watched Marco close the door to the house. A million questions ran through her mind as she tried to remember every detail of Addie’s face and personality. Emma’s heart swelled when she thought about all the little moments she’d been able to have with her daughter over the last few weeks. She had the same brown hair and hazel eyes as her. Passed down from Emma’s mom. Now that she thought about it, Addie’s face shape took after her mother’s too. How had she not seen what was right in front of her?
“I see you figured it out,” Marco said slyly, as if his little pet name hadn’t been used on purpose to clue her in. His large frame loomed between her and the only escape. He had her boxed in. She’d been so stunned by everything, she hadn’t thought about a plan to get away. And in an instant, it was too late.
One of his disgusting hands wrapped around her neck. Shit, she’d forgotten just how strong he was, and his fingers bit into her skin as she struggled to pull any oxygen into her lungs. Marco marched her backwards as she clawed at his arms, until her head slammed into the wall. Stars danced in her vision while his hot breath assaulted her.
“You’ve been a very naughty girl. I took you in, allowed you to keep your filthy, drunk, good for nothing step-father alive, and this is the thanks I get? All this time spent running from me. Oh, Imogene.” He traced a finger down the side of her face as she tried to escape his grasp. “Who knew your downfall would be thanks to an associate randomly coming to this sleepy little town. If he hadn’t been arrested here, I never would have been looking at the Bell Ridge Review, where, imagine my surprise I see my Imogene featured on the front page for her little bakery. What luck! I’ve spent years thinking about what I would do once I found you. And although this cat and mouse game has been so much fun, it’s even more enjoyable now that I know your bodyguards won’t be coming to save you.”
Fear ripped through every vein in her body. He was going to kill her, she was certain of it.
“Ah yes. I’m going to have fun with you. One last time.” His calloused words confirmed her worst fear as darkness closed in all around her.