But I shoot up from my spot, the fear that moves through me like lightening in a storm. “Emma!”
I don’t wait for either man as I race toward the door and throw it open, grabbing the bat as I go.
I’m running like I’ve never run in my heels before. Racing toward the elevator.
But even in my fear, I can see something is wrong. The numbers at the top are completely dark.
I make this guttural noise deep in my throat, as I skid to a stop, pressing the down button. But nothing happens. It doesn’t light up, the elevator doesn’t work.
I press it again and then again.
“It won’t work,” Rush says as he reaches my side.
But I don’t listen. Giving up on the button, I bang my open hand on the door again. “Emma,” I cry, hitting the door harder. “Emma!”
Then I raise the bat. I’ll break it down if I have to.
“Sweetheart,” Rush pulls me into his arms again, pulling the bat from my hands, even as I fight. “Emma’s safe.”
“No,” I push at his chest. “It’s him. I know it’s him. He said he’d take her and I’d never see her. Emma.” Every word gets higher pitched, more frantic as I cry, my knees starting to buckle. This is my worst nightmare come to life. My baby girl taken and I can’t do a thing…
Rush tightens his grip on me. “Killian went to fetch Emma ten minutes ago. She’s safe with him, I promise.”
The words have barely registered when the door to the emergency stairwell opens, Killian appearing with Emma in his arms.
Rush finally lets me go, but I’m so relieved, I sink to the floor, opening my arms, as Emma wiggles out of Killian’s grasp and races to me.
I fold her into my embrace, the relief stealing the rigidity from every muscle as I curl around her. “M&M,” I breathe. “I was so worried.”
“I’m fine,” Emma chirps. “Uncle Lian says I can play with my dolls now.”
And then she wiggles from my grasp, running toward the apartment. “Uncle Lian come see what Rush got for me,” she calls over her shoulder. “It’s so great!”
“I’ll be right there,” Killian calls back, but his eyes are on me. He squats down, low so our gazes are level.
He doesn’t speak until Emma disappears into our apartment. “But first, I want you to tell everyone how Emma got those marks on her back.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Rush
My chin snapsup as I stare at my brother.
I know what he’s talking about. I saw them once. I thought the chair she’d been sitting in had caused them. Temporary indents in her skin.
But then some of Emma’s comments come back to me. How she wanted tattoos like Killian’s.
I drop down on my haunches but not because I want to be on Gigi’s level, but because I’m not sure I can stand.
Gigi’s eyes meet mine, big and brown and so full of pain, it almost knocks the wind out of me.
And though the evidence has been mounting with every minute that passes, I know the truth before she’s even said a word.
That motherfucker put his hands on sweet little Emma and that was what spurred my beautifully submissive woman into action.
I am going to kill him.
It’s not a question, and I’m not exaggerating. I actually mean that I’m going to watch the life leave his eyes and then, Killian will help me make the body disappear.
