Page 42 of Just One More Moment

Her hands shook and he wrapped an arm around her and guided her to the family room where they sat down. Going with his gut, Remy pulled her into his lap. “Now tell me what happened.”

“Lance tried to take Owen out of preschool.”

Remy’s blood froze, his skin prickling with the awareness that Lance had a plan they’d never considered. “He didn’t succeed, right?” Though she’d said the wordtried, Remy needed to hear it again.

“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “The preschool knows who’s on the pickup list. Lance couldn’t have thought the teachers would believe he was Caleb. They aren’t identical twins. I just don’t get his thinking.”

Remy slid his hand up the back of her shirt and rubbed her soft skin in a soothing, up-and-down motion. “I don’t think he ever planned to get his hands on Owen. He wanted to shake you both up and he succeeded. You now know he’s unpredictable.”

“He told Caleb that he was just playing a joke on him. That he hadn’t bothered with him since he’s been out and he wanted to get his attention,” she said.

“I call bullshit.” That sick bastard was toying with both of his siblings but Remy had no doubt Lance’s real target was Raven.

She shivered and Remy pulled her close, his brain spinning with the need for that bastard to violate his parole and land back in prison.

“Remy? I want to go home,” Raven said. “And I need to see Caleb. We have to talk.”

He knew better than to argue with her. She was emotionally distraught and he had no intention of making things worse. But he was equally curious and disturbed by her words. “Talk about what?”

“How to get rid of Lance once and for all.”

Knowing she didn’t mean that the way it sounded because she wasn’t a killer, he managed a nod. “Go pack. I’ll be up to help you in a few minutes.”

Once she’d left the room, Remy picked up his phone and called Zach. No one was going to make any crazy plans without their approval.

Chapter Fifteen

Back at Remy’sapartment in New York, Raven paced the floor in the family room, pausing to stare out the windows overlooking the city. It had snowed lightly overnight, the powder dusting the few green spaces she could see. She wished she’d had time to enjoy the grounds of the Sterling family compound, take a long walk outside in the frigid air, with Remy by her side. But of course, Lance had ruined that for her, too.

She didn’t know how much longer she could live with her psycho brother’s schemes. Especially without knowing his end game. She had good reason to fear him, Raven thought, recalling how she’d found Emily, battered and bruised. But she had better reason to stand her ground and get her life back.

The elevator into the apartment opened and she heard voices. Turning, she saw Caleb walk toward her, followed by Zach who was already in deep conversation with Remy.

“Caleb!” She ran to her brother and hugged him tight. “Is Owen okay? Where is he? He’s safe, right?” If her adorable nephew was the least bit shaken up she’d throttle Lance.

“He’s fine and he’s in class,” Caleb said, slinging an arm around her shoulder and leading her to the sofa. “He doesn’t know anything happened. Lance spoke to someone at the school’s front office and they turned him away, threatening to call the police if he didn’t leave. The school called me immediately.”

She nodded, letting out a long breath filled with relief. “Okay, good.” She turned to Zach. “Hi. I didn’t realize you were coming over today?” She said it more as a question than a statement.

He shot Remy a curious glance and waited for him to reply.

“Because the four of us should talk,” Remy said.

“Why?” she asked, feeling defensive because he hadn’t included her in his thought process. This whole situation was abouther.

Remy ran a hand through his hair. “Because this mess can’t go on. He’s ruining your life.”

She’d been thinking the same thing. “Well, next time I’d appreciate it if you’d include me in whatever you’re planning that involves me.”

He inclined his head in acquiescence. “Why don’t we all sit down?” He gestured to the family room.

She led the way across the apartment and lowered herself onto a couch cushion. Caleb took the seat beside her, Remy and Zach across from them in the oversized club chairs.

“Where do we begin?” Caleb asked.

Remy’s gaze fell to Raven. “Tell us what you’re thinking, because you tossed and turned all night.”

Yes, she had.

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