Chapter 23
I never thoughtI’d enjoy counseling, and there was a good chance in a couple of months that I’d hate it. Dr. Navarro pushed me to remember and talk about things I’d rather leave hidden. Today, I didn’t. Of course, she didn’t know my story yet. We were just getting to know one another. The next session we had, hopefully, would be at her office and in person.
It was so quiet in the condo without Lucas. Lonely too. Part of that might be the overwhelming fear of not seeing him again. I understood that was a chance every time he walked out the door. We all had that chance, but I knew his plans. I spent all day praying that he was safe. I didn’t like going to bed or waking up without him.
Grabbing the teakettle from the stove, I filled it with water and returned it to heat up for tea. I pulled a cup from the cabinet and selected a tea I thought would help soothe my nerves.
As I waited for the water, my vision blurred as thoughts meandered. I hadn’t told anyone the worst part. Well, beyond what happened to me.
The part where I still wanted to be loved by Franklin and the sick part where I still loved him. He was horrible to me when I was little. There were fleeting moments where memories played of him smiling at me. He danced with me. Combed my hair. Laughed while drinking invisible tea with me.
Then it changed overnight.
Mom and Dad argued. It was horrible. I heard it, and it went on for hours and hours. The next day, I didn’t see my mom. The nanny told me she’d taken a vacation and would be back in a few days. That was the last time I saw the nanny.
Then Daddy came into my room.
I hugged myself. A switch had flipped. I remember running to him. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to remember beyond that. I didn’t. I just knew after that day he never smiled at me again. I didn’t understand, and even learning that he wasn’t my biological father, I still saw him as Daddy.
How sick and twisted was that? To love someone who had treated you so viciously. The things he did to me and allowed to happen to me. Why did he get to live, and my mom had to die?
The teakettle shrieked. I pulled it from the burner and poured it over the tea bag. Well, it wasn’t the Earl Grey I was used to, but it smelled good. I was happily surprised to find it in Lucas’s cabinet.
I loved him. I realized that this morning when I woke up, and he was gone for the third day in a row. I felt safe with him.
We’d texted little things here and there. The last text I sent had gone unread. I had to admit that scared me a little, but he was heading into a meeting the last time I spoke with him. I knew he was looking for Franklin’s whereabouts, and if they’ve located him, then there was a good chance it could be a couple more days before I saw him. I didn’t want to think of the why. I wasn’t the only one Franklin hurt, and there was a different code that Lucas lived by.
As I took the used tea bag from the cup, I heard a thud just outside the front door and jumped. I tossed it and made it halfway before I thought better of it. I saw this movie. The dumb girl died. There were a few more indecipherable sounds, and then the door was kicked open.
Franklin.
I stared at him and slowly began to back up. I had hot water on the stove, and the knives were stowed in the cutting block. That was at least two weapons. There were probably more, but maybe not as easily accessible.
Then I was reminded that Lucas hadn’t returned my text. The thought left me breathless.
Franklin smiled. “There is no one to rescue you. No one to save you. I won’t make it quick, but it’ll be quick enough. I’ll make sure the paper is filled with wonderful details of your accomplishments.”
I swallowed and put a little force in my voice, so it didn’t show the fear pulsing through me. “People will know it was you.”
“No. I’ll be the distraught father, mourning the loss of his daughter.” He took a step forward. “I warned her Lucas Kalantzis was no good. I went along with it because she seemed so happy.” His phone rang, and he answered without taking his eyes off me. “This is Benoit.”
“We’ve got him.” A deep male voice responded.
I froze.
“You do? What’s happening now?” I’d never seen glee in Franklin’s eyes like I did in that moment.
“He’s trying to break down the front door at the club. We’ve got guys waiting until he’s inside.”
Franklin grinned. “Are the rest of them with him?”
“Yes, his siblings are with him and a few others.”
“Good. Try to keep one alive. Preferably the woman. Marco wanted to play with her.”
Thea. “No.” I loved her. I loved all of them. They were my family, and they were all I had.
“Let me know when it’s done.” He ended the call. “I’m very angry with you, Claire. You did something very naughty, but I’ve found a way to fix it.”
I wanted to say something smart, but I didn’t. Instead, I continued to inch my way backward. If I didn’t fight back, I was going to die, and I had too much to live for.
“My lawyer informed me that if you make me beneficiary, at the time of your death, it becomes mine. I’d never heard of an easier solution to a problem. Lucas goes. Then you go. Then the money is mine. All my problems are solved.”
That thin veneer of sanity that he had shown to the world was cracking. I was positive he thought he could get me to sign it over, but his lawyer didn’t know what I did. Even if I wanted to give it to Franklin, I couldn’t now.
“That might have been the case before I changed it. If Lucas or I die before you, it will be divided among five charities. The soup kitchen, a pregnancy crisis center, the animal shelter, the children’s hospital, and a private company researching cancer treatments located in Germany.” I darted to the kitchen and grabbed the biggest knife I could, holding it in front of me. “You’re never going to get the money.”
Franklin stared at me. “You can fix it.”
Shaking my head, I replied, “No, I can’t. I knew that if you ever got the chance, you’d try to force me to give it to you. I wanted to make double sure you’d never see a dime.”
He worked his jaw as his lips twisted into a sneer. I could see the rage building.
“You’ve always underestimated me. You thought I’d be too afraid to go against you, but I’m not afraid of you anymore. I’m just sad that I had to publicly claim someone as pathetic as you as my father for so many years.”
The primal growl that ripped from him startled me.
I’d unleashed a beast, and it was charging right toward me.