My gaze is steady on his when I whisper, “I didn’t beg you to stop. You’ll have to try harder next time.”
His fingers dig into my skin as he yanks me back against him and savages my mouth once more and to me, it feels like I’ve been waiting for him my whole life.
Avery
“We can’t be late, mommy!”
Chloe whines as I zip up the garment bag that has her angel costume pressed and ready to go. I fold it carefully over my arm and wave her toward the door.
“I’m ready! Go get your boots and jacket on. The boys are waiting for us.”
She zooms out of the room but I pause and glance at my reflection in the full-length mirror. I look…good. The red dress fits perfectly and floats around my knees in a pretty swirl. I bypassed the matching heels that came with it for black ballet flats. No one will know that I chose them in case I’m forced to run. My glowing face and bright eyes cover the constant fear that has only built today as the time to leave for the pageant got closer and closer. I can feel it in my gut. I don’t know why but I know he’s going to make a move tonight somehow.
The guys assure me over and over that we will be covered, the school blanketed by security but it doesn’t ease my worry. Maybe because everything else is so incredibly perfect. My relationship with these men feels solid and deepens every day. I never dreamed I could be this happy. Maybe that’s why I know he will come and try and take it from me.
Chloe calls for me from further in the house, breaking me from my dark thoughts so I swipe up my purse, double checking the knife Ryker gave me is tucked away inside and then head for the door. He’s taken me to the shooting range twice since I asked for a gun but as much as I want one on me to protect us, I don’t feel right carrying a loaded weapon into a building full of children. Maybe if I had more practice, more skill, but not now. Besides, there will be enough weapons surrounding us with all the security that will be there.
I rush into the entryway and push a smile out for the guys waiting for me but I know it must come off brittle because Ryker drags me against him and rumbles into my hair, “Safe, baby. He won’t touch either of you.”
I pull back and he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear so I force my smile brighter and then turn to the others.
“Ready?”
“Yes! Finally!” Chloe sasses, making Zack laugh.
The ride to the school through the dark snowy streets has tension thrumming through me. It doesn’t matter that two big black SUVs travel with us, one behind and one beside. The cold knot in my belly just keeps getting tighter.
When we get to the school, Easton pulls right up to the doors and his security people surround us as they move us into the building. My eyes scan in every direction constantly looking through the crowds of parents and kids filling the halls. When we get to Chloe’s classroom to drop her off, Zack has to peel me away from her when I cling a little too long. She darts into the room without a backward glance, happy and excited for her first school event. I hand off the garment bag with shaky hands to her teacher who gives me a reassuring smile filled with compassion and understanding. All the staff know what’s going on and my cheeks would be bright red with shame and embarrassment if I wasn’t wound so tight.
The guys pull me along to the huge auditorium and we quickly find our seats. They had reserved four, halfway down and on the outside of the row so if anything happens, we wouldn’t be trapped by the other parents filling the row. My fingers don’t stop twisting until Zack takes one and Ryker the other. I’m practically vibrating in my seat by the time the lights flash three times in warning that the program is about to start. When the lights go down, so do my eyelids. I don’t know why I know something’s going to happen but when it comes to him, I have a deeply bred instinct born from pain and fear.
I’m so lost in my fear that I miss most of the concert and skits until Ryker squeezes my hand.
“There she is.”
My eyes fly to the stage and even in my current state, my smile blooms huge for my tiny girl in her angel costume. The halo over her head bobs comically when she spots us and starts waving as she dances in place. Three phones are held up to film as the children start singing the Christmas carol, Up On The Housetop. It’s such a dad thing for them all to do that my racing heart steadies and some of the sickness in my stomach eases. Chloe and her class make it through both of their songs and my cheeks hurt from smiling all the way through it and my palms sting from clapping so hard for her.
I settle back into my seat as the class is led off the stage and I turn to share a grin with Ryker when I hear it. My whole body freezes in place at the pop, pop, pop in the distance.
There’s a moment, a beat when all four of us stay still and then as one we are on our feet. Easton and Zack run for the back doors leading out of the theatre and Ryker and I run down toward the stage.
My purse is clutched in my white-knuckled grip. I want to get the knife out but I wait, knowing it will cause a panic if anyone sees it. We pass row after row of families waiting for the next class to come on stage. None of them have any clue what those distant popping noises were. But I know, I know those were gunshots and I knowhe’shere.
Ryker drags me through a door beside the stage and up a set of stairs. We wade through milling children and I have to stop myself from screaming her name. I finally spot her teacher and make a beeline to her, being careful not to shove tiny humans out of the way. She glances up and whatever she must see on my face has hers paling.
“Chloe! Chloe Adams, eyes on me, please,” she calls out.
I see her wave her hand in a come here gesture and then finally my eyes land on my baby as her teacher gathers her close and turns her to face me. She’s glowing with happiness and pride for her part in the concert and I hate the idea of him stealing that away from her so I push a smile back onto my face.
“Baby! You did so good! I could hear you singing all the way back in our seats.” I nod with a jerk at her teacher and reach for Chloe. “Come with me now, pumpkin. We have to go.”
Chloe frowns but takes my hand and then beams up at Ryker.
“Could you hear me too, bear? Did you like my song?”
Ryker growls in agreement, lifts her up, and sets her on my hip.
“Stay with mommy, little bear.”
