Alyssa gasped.
“How do we know this isn’t an old picture?” I stated the obvious.
“It isn’t,” Alyssa answered, a tear slipping down her cheek.
Kurt returned and poured four glasses. I would need to ask her how she could be so sure.
“To new beginnings,” Gregory toasted. His wife shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She’d remained quiet this whole time. It was obvious he abused her. The role of victim and oppressor was clearly displayed between them. I also knew she was most definitely not his wife in the traditional sense. I’d treated many people of his stature, and nine times out of ten, they had a trophy wife meant to be paraded to society. A distraction from their underhanded dealings, especially to potential business partners.
I stared at her, and she looked at me briefly, averting her gaze immediately.
“Let her go, Gregory. This is between you and me.” Alyssa’s voice finally broke. I could not imagine the pain she was going through right now, sitting across the table from the man who kidnapped her daughter.
“It was never about you.” He cast her a look that radiated superiority. “But you stuck your nose in places it didn’t belong, and someone has got to pay for that.”
My pulse quickened, my heartbeats pounded, and before I could stop myself, I reached across the table, and within seconds, my hand was gripped around his neck.
“You bastard,” I shouted. He would not speak to her that way, not on my watch. I squeezed, his face reddening before my eyes, an indication he was having difficulty breathing. He spluttered, and his eyes started protruding.
“Luke, please,” Alyssa pleaded. “Please!”
Reluctantly, I loosened my grip on him, retaking my seat. People spoke in hushed whispers around us.
Gregory struggled to catch his breath, reached for a glass of water, and downed it. He straightened his collar and waved at the onlookers so they wouldn’t be alarmed. “Just a friendly squabble,” he announced.
“Touch me again, and little Gracie is as good as dead,” he hissed out, the veins in his neck corded. “Marley and I will take our leave now. We’ll be in touch, and you’ll receive further instructions. Trying to find me or attempting to alert the authorities will only result in an unfavorable fate for our little Princess Grace. You would not want to see her meet the same fate those other girls did, now, would you?”
“Gregory, please, she’s your goddaughter, for heaven’s sake. You were there when she was born. You can’t use her as a bargaining chip. I’ll do whatever you want. Give you anything,” Alyssa pleaded.
“Begging doesn’t become you, Alyssa.” He stood abruptly, sending his chair slamming into the table behind him, and one look at Marley had her scurrying to his side.
“Goodbye, Alyssa,” she said meekly, her eyes downcast. “It was good to see you. It’s a pity we didn’t finish our dinner.”
They left as quickly as they arrived, and we were left speechless. I watched Alyssa crumble beside me and wrapped her in my arms. I tried to console her as best I could, but the grief overtook her.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I just couldn’t sit back and listen.”
“It isn’t you who should be sorry.” She sniffed.
I held her close and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “We’re going to find her, and we’ll make him pay for what he’s done,” I promise.
I will protect you, Alyssa, with all I am.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Alyssa
Present Day
Luke motioned for the waiter. I didn’t know what to make of this evening. It felt like I was drifting further and further away from Gracie. I really needed to get out of here and regroup. I had to think about my next move. Just then, Kurt approached the table. He was cautious when he regarded Luke. I hated that we looked like the bad ones and we were the fugitives.
“Could we have the bill?” Luke spoke in a flat voice.
“Mr. Evans h-has settled the b-bill,” Kurt stuttered. “He also asked that I give this to Mrs. Morgan.”
Luke took the small envelope and slipped it into his jacket, thanking Kurt.
“I’ve got to go to the bathroom. I’ll just be a second.” Luke took my hand in his, placing a kiss there.
