“I’m fine. We’re all fine. He didn’t get the chance to rough us up. Mackenzie kept him distracted and then separated us so that he couldn’t keep the gun trained on anyone. It’s because of her….” I smile at him. “And you, that we’re all safe.”
“I’d save you every day of the week, but you didn’t need me. You were doing a fine job of protecting yourself. I couldn’t be prouder of you for keeping your head on straight during the scariest moment of your life.” He kisses my temple. “I’m sorry.” He leans his forehead against mine while putting his hand on Grace’s back. “This is all my fault for dragging you into this mess.”
“No, it isn’t.” Mackenzie rushes to her feet, standing over us and glaring daggers at Chad as they lead him through the living room, feet dragging on the floor like his stupid ass boots scrapping the rotten brown carpet are going to save him from prison.
Nothing will. He’s now added production and distribution of drugs, prostitution of a minor, and holding three people hostage at gunpoint to his arrest record. Nothing is going to save him.
And when he gets to prison, he’s going to be lucky if he’s not killed. He stole his father’s money as his get out of jail free card, and now, he can’t pay it back.
“She’s right.” I kiss Grace’s head as she snuggles against me. The faint scent of baby powder and shampoo fills my nose. “None of this is your fault.” My eyes narrow when he doesn’tlook convinced. “I mean it. I love you, and I love that you’re a police officer. That you care about this town. That you’ll put your life–”
“And yours and Grace’s lives in danger.”
“Don’t.” By this point, I’m squinting so hard that I’m nearly blocking out Chad’s venomous threats as Chief Carter slams the door behind them.
Ramirez points the remaining uniformed officers to different locations throughout the house. I don’t know most of them, but they appear polished and professional as they log details in their open notepads. No one wants to mess up this case.
I grasp Jake’s chin. “You didn’t put us in danger. Chad acted on his own accord. He did this. No one else did.”
“Fine.” He rolls his eyes and kisses the tip of my nose. “I’ll let you win this argument because….” He clears his throat and swallows. Hard. “Fuck,” he coughs out as tears fill his eyes. “I almost lost the most important people in my life. I love you and Grace so much.”
I splay my fingers along his jaw. “We’re fine.”
“I know.” He inhales, stands, and extends a hand to me. “But It doesn’t change that losing you would kill me., and I almost lost you. It’s going to take more than a few minutes to regain my composure.”
When we’re on even ground, I grasp his arm and turn to Mackenzie. “I….” What do I say to her? She’s Grace’s mother. The enormous ball in my throat refuses to let me get another word out.
“Don’t.” She shakes her head. “I take it you’ve named the baby Grace.” A small smile curves her cheeks. “It’s a beautiful name, but Chad being gone doesn’t change anything. I can’t be her mother. I’m not ready to be a mother.” Tears fill her eyes. “I have no family. No friends.” She lifts her shoulder. “No one. And Grace deserves better than that.”
“I–”
“Let me finish.” Mackenzie crosses her arms over her chest, hugging herself like one of those weighted stuffed animals with the clasped together hands.
“Okay.” I owe her that much, and so much more. For my life. For Grace’s. For the possibility of raising her baby that I’m already head over heels in love with. I owe her everything.
“I didn’t want to relive any of it, which is why I didn’t say anything. And Chad didn’t know I was pregnant. If he would’ve known, he’d have sold her to the highest bidder.” Darkness fills her eyes.
“I don’t know who the father is. I didn’t even realize until the next morning what happened because I was passed out. Chad has a habit of drugging my food or drinks. Not every time.” She swallows hard. “Only when he wanted me out of the way. Or when he wanted to ensure I didn’t fight back.”
She relays the remaining details while the others scurry around the room, seizing evidence.
I hold Grace tighter with each word as Jake pulls me close to his chest. Mackenzie never stood a chance. Does she now? Or is it too late?
Chapter Eighty-Two
Emily
As I pass bags of clothes, hygiene items, and accessories to Bella and Ruby, who’s holding Squirt under her arm while jostling the other items in her free hand, I wave at Mira, who’s driving toward us.
Mira rolls down her window. “Em….” She smiles and clutches her chest with her free hand as the faint hint of exhaust tickles the air. “Thank God you’re okay.”
“Thank you.” I glance at the seat behind mine, finding Grace slowly blinking her eyes open and closed. “I’m coming, baby.”
I slam the door shut and rush around to the driver’s side, where Grace is tucked securely in her baby carrier. The baby carrier that kept her safe during this morning’s ordeal. It seems like another lifetime, or someone else’s lifetime at this point.
Mira shifts her attention to Bella and Ruby as we approach her vehicle. “Hey, girls. Bella, are you and Dom coming over tonight?”
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
