Laine’s hands shook as she cracked eggs in the bowl. She hadn’t slept a wink the previous night. Even though Roarke had said he wouldn’t arrive until tonight or the following night, she’d jumped at every sound.
Maybe it wasn’t so much the idea of Roarke’s rescue making her hold her breath, but anticipation of Cameron’s wrath. Several times throughout the night she’d woken with the sensation of a cold knife at her throat. Of course she’d been dreaming, but the feeling had left her terrified Emmy would wake up to find her dead.
“The dog ran around the tree. I ran after him. He loves to run and jump and play!” Emmy’s sweet voice punched into her thoughts. Her daughter sat at the kitchen island across from where she worked, a book balancing on the marble counter and a huge smile on her face.
“Good job, honey. You’re reading so well.”
Emmy beamed. “This one’s too easy.”
Laine chuckled. “I’ll ask Daddy to pick up some more books for you on the weekend.”
Her daughter’s moss-green eyes turned thoughtful. She angled her head to the side. “You used to take me to the library in London all the time.”
Laine’s smile stretched thin. She wanted to explain to Emmy why life was so different here, why Cameron had turned aggressive, but it was a line she had to toe carefully. Emmy was too young to fully understand their situation.
And Emmy already feared her father.
Last night, she’d cried for over an hour about her father hitting her mother. She’d finally fallen asleep, but the shadows under her eyes revealed she hadn’t slept enough.
“That’s right. The library was so big.”
“Why can’t you take me to the library here? I’ve never seen it.”
“There’s plenty of beautiful libraries in the city. We just don’t go there often.”
“I haven’t seen the city since we rode on the airplane,” Emmy replied, without missing a beat. “That was a long time ago. Was I four?”
Laine’s smile waned. “No, we moved here the week after your birthday, remember? We’ll go to a library soon. I promise.” Lord help her, she’d see to that promise.
“Promise what?” Cameron’s deep voice swept over the kitchen.
Laine jumped, and the egg she was holding slipped from her fingers, hit the counter, and cracked on the marble floor. “Shoot,” she whispered.
Emmy’s eyes went wide and darted to her father. The fear etched on her face would forever be marked on Laine’s heart.
“Silly me,” Laine said, hoping to lighten the moment.
She grabbed a handful of paper towels and knelt to clean the mess. Cameron came around the island. His shiny loafers and pressed dark pants filled her vison.
“You made a mess,” he said, his tone loaded with hostility. He shot his attention to Emmy. “What did your mother promise you?”
She finished wiping up the slimy egg and stood, tossing the soiled napkin in the garbage. Anger bubbled beneath her skin. “I?—”
“I asked Emmy.”
Tears filled Emmy’s eyes. “I asked Mommy to take me to the library so I can get new books.” Her voice was tiny, uncertain, as if she was afraid her answer might make Cameron hit Laine.
“The library?” he asked with disbelief.
Emmy nodded. “I can read this whole book now. Do you want to hear?”
His lips thinned. He glanced down at the cover of the book she held. “That’s too easy, no? Show me when you can read something better.”
Emmy’s bottom lip trembled, and she clamped it between her teeth before nodding. “Okay.”
Laine’s anger flared. She picked up the dish towel, clutching it so she wouldn’t hit him. Just a little while longer ...
With any luck, Roarke would come today.
