Alisha takes a deep breath in and out."Two hours ago, while I was in your apartment drinking tea, I received a text message, three photos, and a video from an unknown number."She lets out a sigh."It… was from him."
My knuckles turn white, and I'm convinced you can hear my teeth grinding from my effort to remain silent.Alisha continues by grabbing her phone, and after opening something on it, she holds it out for me.I take the device and realize that what I'm about to see won't ease my already overstrung mind.
30
COLE
The text message burns into my retinas, my hands trembling with rage.
Can this little gem dance like you, doll face?
Dark emotions surge through my bloodstream as I watch the video.The bastard is following my daughter, filming Samantha from behind as she walks down the street, completely unaware.My jaw clenches so hard I taste metal.
If I get my hands on this guy, his face will be unrecognizable.
Three photos follow the video - Samantha sitting at different pianos.Each image feels like a violation.With barely controlled fury, I turn to my daughter.
"Did he touch you?"
Her eyes shoot up to meet mine, wide with fear."No!I didn't even know someone was following me."
The urge to destroy something claws at my insides, but when my gaze falls on Alisha, it diminishes slightly.These messages must be her worst nightmare come to life, yet here she sits, composed and steady.Taking a deep breath, I follow her lead.
"Tell me what happened," I say, forcing my voice to stay calm.
Alisha takes a seat on a piano bench, her fingers intertwined in her lap."After you left for Nick's, I needed my laptop for work.I stopped at Samantha's room, but it was locked.I told her through the door I was going to my apartment and would be back soon."She draws a shaky breath."When I returned fifteen minutes later, I heard music from her room, so I went to work in the kitchen.That's when I received..."She gestures to the phone in my hand.
My eyes dart to Samantha, who's fidgeting with her fingers, staring at the floor.
"I rushed to her room immediately," Alisha continues."The door was unlocked, the room empty.I ran outside, searching the streets while calling her.Thank God she answered after the third try."
The dragon inside me roars to life - that protective force that emerges when my loved ones are threatened."Sam, you left?"My voice comes out harder than intended."How many times have I told you never to leave without telling someone where you're going!"
"I..."She bites her lip, tears welling in her eyes."I'm sorry.But Leo sent me a message saying 'I'm sorry and goodbye.'When Alisha said she was getting her laptop, I turned on the radio to make it sound like I was still there.I had to find him."
"Did you?"
She shakes her head, her chin trembling."His number doesn't exist anymore.He just...disappeared."A tear rolls down her cheek."I thought he liked me."
My heart cracks watching her cry, and I pull her against my side.She buries her face in my shirt, her shoulders shaking.As much as I hate seeing her hurt, I'm relieved Leo's gone.That boy doesn't deserve my girl.
When she calms, another question burns in my mind."How did you end up in this piano shop?"
Samantha sits up straight, her hands fidgeting with the ends of her ponytail."I like pianos," she mumbles."When I was wandering through the city, I saw this store and just...stepped in."
"Show Cole what you were doing here, Sam," Alisha says softly.
My daughter keeps staring at the floor."I can't.I promised Mom to keep it a secret."
My eyes dart to Alisha, who nudges her head, urging me to respond.I place my hands on Samantha's knee, giving it a gentle squeeze."Sam, your mother wouldn't mind."
"No."Her eyes meet mine, fierce despite her tears."Mom said to wait until I was eighteen and legally an adult."
My mouth goes dry as sand as the pieces click into place.Jessica, why did you...A light bulb flips on in my head.Could it be?
Heart pounding, I ask, "Samantha, do you play the piano?"
She's quiet for a long moment before speaking."I fell in love with piano music when I was little.After a year of begging, Mom finally said yes to lessons."Her voice softens."She worked extra shifts at the strip club to pay for them."
