Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Daphne
“Happy three months married.” Darrell kisses me awake.
I stretch and wrap my arms around his neck.
“Mmm… Can we stay in bed a little longer?” I ask.
I’m so tired. I’m trying not to move much because I know what will happen if I do, and I don’t want Darrell to know yet. Not until I confirm it for sure.
For twelve weeks now, he’s been focusing on me so much, looking for any hint that I’m pregnant. I want to surprise him for once.
“I can’t. I have an early meeting with Cronus. He’s in town to go over business.”
“Fine.” I huff as I open my eyes, trying to keep the contents of my stomach in.
I’ve been getting sick for the last week and a half. It’s been hard hiding it from him. I have a doctor’s appointment this morning.
“Don’t forget to take your detail with you,” Darrell says as he places a jewelry box on my chest. “Happy anniversary.” He kisses me deeply.
“You shouldn’t have.” I slowly sit up and flip open the box. Inside is a necklace that says Mrs. in gold cursive. “I love it. But everyone knows I’m married with this.” I flash my huge ring.
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t hurt to mark you up more.” He chuckles. “I have to go. I hate leaving you. Don’t forget Jada got called away, so you’ll have Thompson and Grand today.”
“I don’t need a detail. We haven’t heard anything at all from my stalker since our marriage announcement was sent out.”
He leans over my body. “Little girl, I’ll always protect you.”
“Okay.” I give in to him.
He’s been preoccupied lately with new evidence that has surfaced regarding the car accident that killed his parents.
“Good girl.” He kisses me again before walking out.
He’s barely out the door when I’m racing for the bathroom. I drop to my knees and hurl until there’s nothing left. I lean back against the wall and try to relax before fishing out the pregnancy test I hid behind the towels in the cabinet.
Sure enough, it’s positive. I smile wide because this is exactly what Darrell and I both wanted. I originally wanted to wait, but after we got married, things changed, and I can’t wait to start a family.
I dress in khaki pants and a polo. I spend a little time loving on my babies after feeding them, before Mrs. Butters takes them out. She’s been perfect to have around the girls. She lives in a cabin on the property and comes up to take care of the dogs only when we’re away or at work.
By the time I have my tennis shoes on and a protein shake in my hand, my team is waiting for me. I walk over to the white Range Rover, which is now my primary vehicle. Thompson holds the back door open while Grand is already in the driver’s seat. I climb into the back.
“I have an appointment before work. Here’s the address.
” I couldn’t send it earlier, or they would’ve notified Darrell.
“Can we please keep this between us for now? I don’t want Mr. Boseman to know just yet what I’m doing.
It’s a surprise.” I pause. “For our anniversary.” I throw in the last part, hoping the guys will understand.
“We can do that,” Grand says.
He’s been around for months now. I’ve seen him with Jada. Thompson is new, though. I turn to him, and he glances at his watch.
“I guess if it doesn’t take too long. Mr. Boseman is very specific in his requests regarding you,” Thompson says.
“Thank you.” I lean back.
I’m still getting to know Thompson. There are times I don’t feel like he’s going to be a good fit for me. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s just a feeling. He’s not always very respectful to me. Even Grand looks at him in shock before turning to face me.
“It’s okay, Daphne. I can keep a secret, as long as your safety isn’t compromised.”
“It’s just a clinic appointment. I’ve already called work and told them I’ll be a little late.” I smile at him.
We start the almost half-hour drive to town down the country road. Houses are spaced out here and there, nothing like the suburbs. We’re in the mountains, out of town. I focus on my phone, responding to a text from my sister, who is loving her new job.
Delly
What’s the plan for today?
Me
I have an appointment. The guys are taking me right now.
“What the hell is this?” Grand says, and I look up.
There are a few sections where the old road splits. One lane runs on one side of the trees and the other on the opposite side. I see a car stopped in the road, and a woman is standing there, flagging us down.
“Pull over. We can help her,” Thompson says, and Grand shakes his head.
“No. We’ll call it in and keep going. It could be a trap.”
“Are you sure?” I ask from the back seat.
The woman looks really young and scared. She keeps glancing back at her engine, where the hood is up.
“There are two of us. What could happen?” Thompson says, and we pull over.
My phone rings in my hand.
“Yeah,” I answer without looking at it.
“What kind of appointment?” Delly’s voice comes across the line.
“Just an appointment. Hold on a second. There’s something going on. A woman is broken down, and Thompson is getting out to help her.”
I watch as Thompson approaches the woman and reaches for her arm. Grand is shaking his head, glancing around. Suddenly, a loud bang rings out, and I scream as Grand’s body falls to the side.
“Daphy. Daphy, are you okay?” I hear Delly’s voice.
“No,” I cry. “Grand’s been shot. Get help,” I scream as a man opens the back door. He looks vaguely familiar. I’ve seen him before.
“Drop the phone, Daphne, and come with me.” He points a gun at me.
Afraid for my baby, I drop the phone while my sister is still screaming my name.
“Do I know you?” I ask as I get out.
“You said no one would get hurt. You just wanted to talk to her.” Thompson stomps over, holding the woman’s arm. She’s struggling, trying to get away.
“I said you wouldn’t get killed. I didn’t make promises about anything else. Not when it comes to Daphne.” He raises the gun and shoots Thompson in the shoulder, then shoots the girl in the head.
I’m screaming and begging for my life.
“Don’t kill us,” Thompson begs.
My stomach revolts, and my heart clenches.
“Thompson, how could you?” I look at him, realizing he’s working with this maniac.
“Shut up, Daphne. I’ve waited a long time to get my hands on you.”
He strikes me over the head, knocking me to the ground. As I fall, I pray Darrell will find me, and that our baby and I will be alive when he does.
Darrell
My phone rings, and I glance at the screen.
It’s an unknown caller. I send the call to voicemail and refocus on the meeting.
This man, Spencer, wants to do business with Cronus and me.
I’ve never heard of him, but we agreed to hear his proposal.
It had to be this early-morning appointment.
I’m already frustrated I couldn’t wake up with my wife like we normally do.
She’s hiding something from me, and I suspect I know the answer.
The phone rings again. I ignore it until a text comes through.
Delphi
ANSWER MY FUCKING CALL!
When she calls back, I answer without even telling the guy to pause.
“What?” In my gut, I know something isn’t right.
“I have Daphne on my cell phone. I put it on speaker. Her detail has been attacked. She’s being taken.
I’ve heard several gunshots already. The man ordered her out of the car and to leave her phone.
Before that happened, she said Thompson stopped them to help a woman,” Delphi says, and my stomach drops to my feet.
“Keep her phone on the line. Cronus is here.” I turn to talk to him.
“There appears to be some emergency,” Spencer says. “I’ll call you soon.” He bolts for the door.
I’m on my feet and hurtle the chair next to me without a second thought. It hits him in the back, knocking him to the floor.
“What are you playing at?” I ask him, but he just moans.
Cronus is on him as Delphi starts crying into the phone.
“Darrell, the line just disconnected, and I can’t call it back.”
“Cronus, lock him down. There’s something going on.”
I run to my office. Jethro is up and out of his chair.
“What’s the matter?”
“She was taken.” That’s all I say.
I log on to my computer and open the app for the tracker in her wedding rings. It shows her ring is not moving but sitting on the road from the house. My gut clenches. That isn’t right.
“Delphi.” I put my phone to my ear.
“Did you find her?” She’s sobbing.
“No. I’m going to have Cronus send Hades to you.”
“Okay.”
I hang up, and Cronus nods as he walks in, catching the end of the call.
My cell phone rings again. Thompson’s name flashes across the screen.
“Where the fuck is she?” I growl into the phone.
“He tried to take her,” Thompson says, his voice weak. “He shot Grand and me.” He’s quiet for a moment. “The car went off the side of the road. I got out before it crashed. I can’t get to her.”
My knees give out. I fall to the floor, a loud cry echoing from my chest. Not another car accident.
Cronus is trying to help me stand. Jethro has tears rolling down his eyes, and my breath catches.
“Get me there. I need proof.”
“I’m calling the police now.” Jethro hiccups as he dials 911 and reports the accident.
Cronus drags Spencer behind him as we head down to the parking garage where Totten is waiting.
“Take him to my building,” Cronus tells Totten when he shoves the man into the back of the car.
“I don’t know what’s going on. This is kidnapping,” Spencer yells, but I know he was the distraction. Everything was too convenient.
“You had something to do with this, and I’ll prove it,” I bark at him.
His whole demeanor instantly changes. “He paid me. Said it was a prank. I didn’t know he was going to shoot anyone. I swear.”
“Take him away,” I order Totten.
Cronus and I get into his car, and we take off for home. Before we pull up, Lyla calls.
“Hello, Darrell. By any chance did Daphne decide to stay home today? She called and said she had an appointment. I know she’s been sick off and on for a week now. But she isn’t here yet.”