“Where are you going?” Janae says standing in front of my truck
“I’m going to find the sheriff. He’ll lead me to her.”
“But what happens when you find her and she’s with Charles? He’s dangerous. They both are.” Aja interjects taking a stand next to Janae.
“The longer I wait, the more time he has with her. I’m leaving. Move aside so I can bring Evelyn home.”
There was no time to argue, the twins moved and I hit the gas.
Evelyn looked terrified in that photo. I couldn’t stand seeing her tears or the thought of this man inflicting any more pain on her than he already had.
I would find her if it were the last thing I did.
Chapter 38
Charles
It felt like Christmas.
Mom always made an extra effort to make the holidays special. As a single mom, she worked her double shifts all through December until the holiday just to make sure I had gifts under the tree. Christmas morning the apartment would smell of pancakes and hot bacon. We would gather around the tree and open gifts then head to either June or Iris’ to celebrate with them.
Those were the fond memories of a child. I was no longer that child, and I no longer considered those women family.
This feeling was different.
I had the best present waiting for me. I would enjoy toying with her just like she had toyed with me.
Brenton was an even smaller town than Oakland Ridge. There was nothing but acres of farm land and cattle. It was the ideal place for us to hide out.
The large barn on the outskirts of town was the best place for me to unravel my gift.
The earthy smell of the barn hit my senses as I walked through the double doors. It reeked of ammonia and horse shit.It was still an upgrade in comparison to the hatch out in New Jersey.
I really should get an air freshener or something in there.
He was sitting in a chair facing a sleeping, tied up Evelyn. He turned around with a cigarette to his lip at the sound of my arrival.
“Son, how was the drive?”
“I told you not to call me that shit. It’s bad enough I have to share your name,” I said as I spit on the ground in disgust.
Evelyn’s head shoots up at the sound of my voice. I smile at the reaction.
Tears automatically well up in her eyes. She really is beautiful when she cries.
I snapped a photo to capture the moment. This will look great in the album.
“Evvie,” I say in a sing-song voice.
My sperm donor has put out his cigarette and is watching with a smirk from his perch in the corner now.
“I told you I would get her for you. She all but ran into my arms when I showed up.” He snickered.
“You held me at gun point, drugged me and put me in the trunk! I’ve never trusted you pig!” She shouts back fighting her restraints.
“Have you been introduced? This is Gregory Charleston Strauss. My father.”
The look on her face is priceless. I almost took out my phone again to snap another picture.
