Page 84 of Fighting Shadows
Unfortunately, I don’t have her friend to help me this time, so I’ve been so quiet, planning and preparing.
No help means there are no leads when they get a guilty conscience because they lose us just like her little friend did, as if I didn’t plan for her to try to follow me, her cockiness being her downfall.
The box was done in no time, and I decided to deliver it personally since the whole family was over right now.
I want them to know I’m close.
So close, and they never noticed.
I want to haunt her nightmares so she dreams of me and only me.
I’m coming, Little One. Soon.
Your daddy won’t be able to save you this time.
Chapter 42
Autumn
‘Ceilings – WestSouth’
Dad places the box on the table, everyone standing around it as anticipation runs through us all, wondering what could be inside. With shaky hands, I reach out, but Aidan yanks me back with a stern glare, “Do you have a death wish? It could be a bomb!”
“A bomb isn’t Charlie’s style. It will be a note and some torn-up flowers,” I grunt, crossing my arms over my chest.
“It’s still dangerous! Let someone else open it, for god sake!” He throws his hands up in the air in exasperation.
Brenn steps forward about to do just that when Aidan swings his glare to him instead; Brenn scoffs, glaring right back, “You aren’t the only heir to a crime familyamour,” Brenn smiles softly at him, and Aidan melts before our eyes at the use of Brenn’s name for him.
Brenn lifts the lid from the box, dropping it to the floor with a clatter, and peeks inside before rolling his eyes, “Well, he’s predictable, at least.”
Brenn lifts out a folded piece of paper. Speckled drops of blood cover it and the insides of the box.
“What does it say?” I ask, my voice stronger than I imagined it would be.
Maybe it’s because I can’t remember anything or that I’m stronger now than when I was when he first came into my life and ripped everything away from me. Tobias leans into my side, his hand enveloping mine in silent support.
Everyone stays silent as he unfolds the note, his eyebrows raising in surprise, “It’s for Dad.”
Dad reads the note silently, his body coiled as he reads over Charlie’s words to him.
“That motherfucker!” he swears, throwing the note to the table and storming from the house. I go to take off after him, wanting him to be safe, but a shaky hand grabs my shoulder, halting my movements.
“Zander?” I question as I turn to face him.
“I’ll go after your dad,” Dominic says, kissing my forehead as he follows Brenn and Aidan out of the house and down the street.
“Pleasedon’t go. Stay here. I-” Zander breathes in deeply, but it’s shaky, his voice filled with fear, “I can’t, Princess. I just can’t, I’m going to lose you again – I can’t breathe, I –“
“It’s okay,” I mutter. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise. I’m safe, Muffin-Man.” I bring his hand up to rest between my breasts, my breathing slow and steady. “Copy me; follow my movements. Feel my heartbeat.” Zander takes a few more shaky breaths before following my inhale, holding for five seconds, and then breathing out slowly.
When he seems a bit clear-headed, I cup his face in my hands, pull him down to my level, and lean my forehead on his, “I’m safe.” I repeat, needing him to believe my words just as much as I need to believe them.
Am I terrified? Sure, but I know that they have a plan and that they’ll never let Charlie get to me again.
“I can’t lose you, Autumn. I can’t.”
“And you won’t,” Noah says, joining the others. We have a plan, remember? We just need to bring forward the timeline now.”
