Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Francesca Rose
“Michael will pick up the cake tomorrow.”
“Okay. I’ll also see about moving the balloon pickup so that he can just make one trip into the city for birthday supplies,” Kathy says from the kitchen counter.
Perfect!” I confirm, scratching off “balloon order” from my to-do list.
Kennedy’s first birthday is in a week and because I have access to Ashton Rose’s pockets, I’ve decided to go all out.
Of course, she is only turning one, but the pictures and memories will be for me.
I’ve documented her entire first year via a scrapbook, and I plan to continue it as she grows.
This birthday is bittersweet, realizing that there will only be seven more before our lives change.
Even a year later, I can’t believe I’ve found myself in another deal with Ashton.
Since that day in the hospital room we’ve tread carefully around each other.
I realize that I’m holding a secret for him, but nothing will keep me safe if he decides I’m a liability not worth the trouble.
The only time you see that man’s eyes light with emotion is when he is planning to deliver punishment.
I’ve made peace, choosing to endure whatever I have to in order to stay alive for Kennedy.
Ashton has his heir. My value with him has dropped and will continue to do so the older she gets.
Now, I’m fighting for Kennedy to experience normalcy and bask in the innocence of childhood as long as possible.
“How you holding up?” Kathy asks, handing me a cup of tea and breaking into my thoughts.
That simple question has my eyes watering. She’s probably questioning how it feels to watch my baby turn one. My mind only sees the clock ticking down the time I have left with her.
“I’m not okay,” I whisper as a tear slides down my cheek.
“Oh, sweetie, we want the baby to grow up. She can’t stay little forever,” Kathy chuckles, coming around the island separating us and wrapping her arms around me.
“He’s going to take her from me,” I say quietly on a sob.
“Nonsense. Will she have to do some training once she’s older? Yes, but you will still be in her life.”
I can’t hold it in any longer. The secret has become too big for me to carry alone, and Kathy is one of the few people I trust to take care of Kennedy should something happen to me.
“Kennedy isn’t Ashton’s,” I whisper, looking into her eyes.
I watch realization move over her face: her brows moving up before furrowing. She looks over her shoulder, then grabs my hand, moving us into the pantry. We move as deep into the food closet as we can go, to a spot where many secrets have been shared between us.
“Is he aware that she isn’t his?” she whispers quickly.
I nod, more tears spilling out. “He doesn’t know that she’s Michael’s.”
“How are you still alive, girl?”
“We made a deal, but that’s not important. Should something happen to me, you have to take care of Kennedy.” I clench her hands tightly, hoping she feels how serious I am. “She will need you more than ever.”
“Francesca…” She says my name on a deep sigh, pulling me into a hug.
I appreciate her not using this moment to fill me with false reassurances. She knows that if he decides my time is up, there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
“Does Michael know?” she asks after the sobs racking my body have eased.
“No, and I’m not sure I should tell him.”
It’s the night before Kennedy’s birthday and I can’t sleep.
All the party plans have been finalized, the birthday girl is sleeping soundly, but my mind is wide awake.
Like every other night of insomnia, I’m in the kitchen and of course Michael is with me.
Tonight’s midnight meet up is easy with Ashton being off the compound for the night.
We can sit and have open conversation without the worry of an unwanted visitor.
I’ve been cautious in not giving Ashton any idea that Michael is Kennedy’s father.
It may be stupid of me, but I couldn’t end the affair between us.
Not when my life could end at any time. We’ve become even more discreet, but the fire between us is still there.
Tonight feels different from other nights when neither of us can find sleep. Outside a storm is rolling through, mimicking the emotions swirling in me. The sound of rain pelting against the kitchen window gives me a semblance of calm as I snack on fruit, waiting on my tea to steep.
I look up from my bowl of grapes to find Michael watching me. “What’s on your mind?”
He takes a deep breath, straightening his shoulders. “We need to try to leave.”
So many thoughts pass through my mind that I find it hard to latch onto one. Kennedy’s face flashes before my eyes. I want nothing more than to allow him to take me away, but it’s not only about me anymore.
“If it was just me, I would say let’s leave today, but I can’t sign Kennedy up for a life on the run at one,” I whisper softly. “Where is this thought even coming from?”
“It would be better than the life he currently has planned for her.” His brows furrow as he says the quiet part out loud. I continuously squash the thoughts that crop up in the back of my mind, that Ashton will turn her into a cold-blooded criminal.
“I would need more time. We need a plan to keep Kennedy safe.” That’s the only way I could entertain the thought of leaving.
Michael nods his head slowly, taking in my response. We sit in silence, both lost in our own thoughts.
“I need you to know I will love her like she is my own. Her safety is just as much my priority as yours. It’s my plan to take you both away from his clutches.
You and Kennedy will not want for anything.
” His voice is strong and comforting. “I love you, Francesca. I want to take you away from this place. You and Kennedy deserve more than the shackles of an unstable man.”
I gasp at his confession. The feelings of love have been harder to keep to myself recently.
Tears well in my eyes as I admire the man who has been my solace in a place where I didn’t expect to find peace.
The secret I’m keeping from him burns through my chest. I can’t reveal it now when there is so much at stake, but I can let him know that my feelings match his.
“I love you, Michael. And I need you to know that I trust you, but I need time.” I reach out to grab his hands.
Forceful knocks sound at the front entrance of the house.
Michael and I freeze, before another round of knocking pounds against the door.
He moves quickly through the kitchen, stopping only to grab an emergency gun tucked within a cabinet.
I follow him to the front of the house, keeping a safe distance back.
Whoever is here at this time of night has clearance; the guards at the front of the property wouldn’t have let just anyone through at this time of night.
The front door swings open to reveal Victor holding onto Nathan, both soaked through their clothes.
Michael pushes the door wider, beckoning them in, and I rush forward, arms out to take Nathan.
Victor’s face is deathly pale, the usual charming demeanor nowhere to be found.
He hands his son over to me without a second thought and baby Nathan curls into my warmth.
I quickly shoulder my bathrobe off, wrapping it around his cold body.
“Victor, what’s going on?” Michael asks.
“The cartel that we’ve been warring with killed her.” He bites down hard on his trembling lips. “Where’s Ashton?”
“Killed Sharon?” I question, my heart thudding as I squeeze Nathan harder to my body.
Victor nods at my questions and a sob breaks free from my lips. “Retaliation. We barely made it out alive. My house is currently going up in flames.” He runs his hand through Nathan’s hair. “Where’s Ashton?”
Michael clears his throat, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. “Ashton is in town with Alexandra.”
I play my role as a disturbed wife, feeling sorry for myself to know that my husband is out cheating. Even in his moment of devastation, I don’t miss the pitying look Victor flashes over to me.
“I’m going to find him some dry clothes and try to help him get to sleep,” I say to excuse myself from the room.
Victor offers me a quick thank you before turning back to Michael and telling him more details of the night. I’m almost out of earshot when I hear him say he needs to leave and lay low for a while with the hope that Nathan can stay here. And with that news, I know now isn’t the time to leave.