“Lottie, move. Now!”
Delaney’s terror spiked.
Violet wanted to kill her, and the only thing stopping her was the innocent child between them.
“You need to move, sweetheart.” Her voice shook, but she pressed on. “Go back to the corner and close your eyes.”
“I don’t wanna go, Miss Laney. Please?—”
“Now!” Violet roared. “Move!”
Delaney pried Charlotte away and shoved her toward the corner, desperate to put space between them.
Protect her, Lord. Please, keep her safe.
Violet lifted the gun, and Delaney squeezed her eyes closed.Please, Father.
“Violet, don’t.”
Delaney’s eyes popped open as a man stepped in from the darkened corridor.
Violet swung the gun toward Jasper, who lifted his hands. “It’s me, darlin’. Don’t shoot.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Noah crept through the front door and slowly swung it back toward the jamb. He didn’t close it all the way, afraid the sound would alert the crazy woman.
He crept into the kitchen, where he stood motionless, listening to the voices drifting from the next room.
“I know I messed up, Vi.” Jasper’s voice cracked with what sounded like genuine remorse. “I was selfish and awful. I was…I was just scared, you know? What do I know about being a father? So I ran like a coward. I abandoned you when you needed me most.”
Jasper had missed his calling. He should’ve gone to Hollywood. He’d have made a bundle with that talent. And thank God for it. It might be the only thing keeping Delaney and Charlotte safe.
Noah inched forward, testing each floorboard before shifting his weight. The old house remained mercifully silent under his careful steps. He drew closer to the doorway that led to his family.
“You have no idea what it’s been like.” Violet sounded desperate. “The addiction took everything from me. Everything.Even Lottie…” She choked on the name. “I thought Ma could take care of her while I got clean, but then you took her.”
“I had to.” Jasper’s tone was regretful. “Your mother wasn’t up to it. She didn’t take care of our little girl like you did.”
Noah reached the doorway and peeked through.
Delaney was seated with her back against the wall. Charlotte was huddled in the corner nearest to her. Jasper stood in the opening of what looked like a hallway.
All of their eyes were trained on Violet, who was out of Noah’s field of vision.
“You don’t mean that.” Violet’s voice turned hard. “You’ve never meant anything you said to me. You’re just like her.”
Noah couldn’t see Violet, but by the way Delaney’s eyes widened, he guessed Violet was aiming her weapon at her.
“Your fight’s with me,” Jasper said evenly. “This is my fault. I’ve been a complete jerk.”
Delaney’s gaze moved to Jasper, telling Noah that was where Violet had shifted her aim.
That didn’t make Noah feel any better.
“I’ve been…awful,” Jasper continued, “and I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. But I’m asking. Please, Violet, if you’ll only forgive me, we can be together. You and me and Lottie.”
Believe him,Noah begged. Just long enough to lower the gun.
