32. Nicole
NICOLE
It’s been an hour since Jaxson and Owen came back from the gym. The difference in Owen is amazing. He isn’t in despair anymore. The fear and worry is still there, it’s etched in his eyes, but he’s managing it better.
I breathe a sigh of relief. I needed that reprieve. I fucked up the pie about four times and had a meltdown with Edie over it, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that with him there. He needed positivity while he was spiralling and I had to be the one to give it to him.
There’s still no word from the kidnappers.
Kincaid managed to pick up more CCTV of the vehicle Lucky was in, but we’re waiting for more to come in.
I want to know why they haven’t phoned for ransom yet.
Why they haven’t contacted us. But I also can’t bring myself to ask the questions in case they shatter this fragile state of positivity I’ve got going on.
I shift slightly, my head resting on Owen’s shoulder as we sit on the sofa. Edie and Jaxson left a little while ago, and once again it’s just us and the hive of officers.
My phone is on the coffee table, and as the screen lights up the notification that appears sends chills up my spine and knocks the breath out of my lungs.
Dad: I have Lucky. He’s safe. But if you don’t get a million quid to me I won’t be able to protect him.
I stifle a gasp and hand the device to Owen who calls out for Detective Kincaid.
He steps forward and reads the message and frowns. “Is this the first time he’s contacted you?”
“Yes. I haven’t heard from him in months.” My voice sounds meek and quiet, reeling from the fact that my dad took my son. “Not since he left me and Lucky to deal with his gambling debt with the local loan sharks.”
“And you didn’t think it was worth telling me about this? Either of you?” Kincaid’s voice is dripping in frustration, and I flinch slightly.
I attempt to speak but Owen steps forward and takes control of the situation.
“Detective. Don’t speak to her in that way.
” Kincaid's eyes flash with annoyance, but he dips his head in apology and Owen continues. “I handled the situation as I saw best. I spoke to the loan shark and we settled the ‘debt’ that was hanging over Nico’s head. Neither of us thought this had anything to do with Lucky going missing. If we had, we would’ve mentioned it a lot sooner. ”
He crosses his arms over his chest and I take a step closer to him, this time needing to bask in his strength. My dad is involved. I knew he was low, but not low enough to involve Lucky.
“I need all the information you can give me on this loan shark so we can track him down. In the meantime, we need to communicate with your dad. Is he violent?”
I shake my head instantly. “He’s neglectful, a waste of space, an alcoholic and a gambler, but no, he wasn’t violent. I don’t think he’d hurt him.”
Detective Kincaid types a text out and sends it to him.
Me
Dad, I’m not doing anything until I speak to Lucky. Please. Let me know he’s okay.
I read the message back and swallow down the guilt that my own father is involved in this before silently berating myself for not thinking of him in the first place.
My phone starts to ring in my shaking hand as Detective Kincaid tells me to keep him talking so they can get a trace on the line.
“Hello, Dad? Is Lucky okay?” My voice shakes with emotion and nerves, but he doesn’t notice. He never did notice when anything was wrong with me. Owen squeezes my shoulder with a supportive grip as he listens in on the call next to my ear.
“He’s fine. But he won’t be if you don’t get me that money,” he quietly spits down the line, and I question how he’s my dad, not for the first time as well.
“Dad, where will I get that money from?” I know it’s stupid. I know he knows about Owen being Lucky’s dad, but I’m trying to stall for time.
“Ask your rich boyfriend. Kept that to yourself, didn't you?”
“I had to, Dad. I couldn’t tell anyone. I’m sorry. Why don’t you bring Lucky home and we can sort all of this out. You’re still my dad.” I try to pull on any heartstrings he may have left, but he just laughs at me.
“Yeah, I’m sure we’d all live happily ever after in that footballer’s mansion you’ve got now. Just get me my money,” he whisper-shouts, making me think he doesn’t want Lucky to hear him.
“Not until you let me speak to Lucky. I swear I’ll give you whatever you want, but let me speak to him.” My heart’s racing. I need to hear his voice. I know in my heart he wouldn’t hurt him, deep down I know that, but I need to hear he’s okay.
“Luck, shout hi to your mum.” He raises his tone and I burst into tears when I hear a chirpy ‘hi’ come from the distance..
He’s okay. He sounds fine. Relief washes over me.
“Bring the money to your old place at six. Leave it in the kitchen and I’ll leave Lucky in the garden.”
I’m about to argue that I want to speak to him again, but the detective raises his hand with his thumb up telling me they’ve pinpointed his location.
“Okay, Dad.” Before I can say anything else the line goes dead.
“We’ve got him. We have units en route as we speak. We’ll get your boy back soon enough,” Detective Kincaid tells us.
I stand frozen to the spot. Owen spins me around, a huge smile on his face as I stare blankly at him.
“Nico, they’ve got him. They’re bringing our boy home.” He scoops me into his arms and laughs as he pulls my body to his.
I nod my head the tiniest bit in acknowledgment, overwhelmed by the emotions inside of me.
I’m over the moon that he’s safe and sound, but I can’t shake the guilt that my dad did this.
And if I’d dealt with the loan sharks differently, not enabled my dad’s behaviour for all those years, Lucky and Owen wouldn’t have gone through any of this.
But instead of saying any of this to Owen, I keep it inside. I let him bask in the euphoric state of knowing his son is coming home, and I lock it up in my heart knowing that one day, when the happiness fades, he’ll start questioning just why he encumbered himself with someone like me.