Decency, Hailey thought. Kindness. Compassion. Selflessness. And the capacity for love. They were all things Michael wasn’t capable of comprehending, and never had been. He had never loved her, because he didn’t know how. He’d viewed her as a possession. Something to be stolen.
“She’s mine, do you understand me? And I’ll kill her before I see her in your hands.”
“Take it easy,” Chase said, and his voice sent a wave of comfort through Hailey. “No-one has to get hurt here.”
“I get to decide that,” Michael said. “Me. Not you.”
Hailey flashed a warning look at Chase. He didn’t know Michael like she did. When he got this way, he couldn’t be reasoned with. He had to have things his way, and if he didn’t, people would get hurt. And with both her and Chase in this room, Riley had no-one to protect him.
Understanding flashed in Chase’s eyes.
“Okay, Michael,” he said. “You’re right. You’re in charge here.”
“Damn right I am. Now where the fuck’s my son?”
“Outside,” Chase said, twisting slightly and nodding to the window. “With the other kids.”
“You think I care about them? They’re just profit. My son is all that matters to me. And my lying, cheating whore of a woman.” He snarled the words and jerked the gun at Hailey.
“They’re just profit,” Chase said, drawing her ex’s attention back onto himself. “I get it. Your son is all that matters. I can get him for you.”
“Chase, no!”
“Shut up, bitch,” Michael roared.
“Hey, look at me,” Chase urged. “I’m the one who can help you now. Not her. I’ll get your son for you.”
He locked eyes with Hailey for a split second, and his gaze seemed to saytrust me.And she did.
“Yeah, you will,” Michael said, oblivious to their silent exchange. “And then me, and my son, and that bitch are leaving together.”
“I won’t try to stop you. I’m giving you what you want, okay? There’s no need to hurt anyone.”
“Get him. Now.”
“I will. Just take it easy.” Chase backed toward the window. “I’m just going to climb outside and get him.”
“If you tryanything…”
“I won’t. I swear. I’m just going to get your son. Don’t hurt her.”
Hailey watched, heart lodged in her throat, as Chase eased out of the window. Was he really going to give Riley to Michael? No, she couldn’t believe that. He knew her son mattered more to her than her own life, he knew she would sooner die than see Michael treat Riley the way he’d treated her. She just hoped he had a plan. Hell, she hoped right now he was grabbing Riley and running as far and fast from here as he could…but in her heart, she knew he wasn’t.
“What’s taking so long?” Michael snarled at the empty window. “Hurry up or—”
He never got to finish his threat. All at once, the window was very full of large, furry reindeer. A thousand pounds of furious muscle launched itself through the open frame, crossing the room in a single bound while Michael could do nothing but stare, open mouthed in shock. Hailey ducked aside and the reindeer smashed into him, tossing him into the far wall. The gun skittered off to one side, and Michael slid to the ground.
She snapped out of her stupor in time to scuttle after the gun and snatch it up in shaking hands, pointing it in the direction of her unconscious ex.
Movement flashed in the corner of her eye, and Chase straightened, human once more.
“Hailey,” he murmured, “It’s okay. It’s over. He can’t hurt you anymore, I promise. Either of you.”
“Riley!”
“He’s okay. He’s right outside.” He slid the gun from her unresisting hands, and she turned and hurried to the window. Sure enough, Riley was right outside, wrapped up warm in his car seat, and the other kids were clustered around him.
“It’s okay, baby,” she crooned. “Mama’s here, everything’s okay. Chase, we need to get them back inside, but…”
