Page 57 of Desperate Vows

“Enough.”

“You need any guys?”

Dimitris nodded. “I could use some backup. Some they may not expect to be with me.”

Jason looked at Thomas. “Take care of it.” He returned his attention to me. “If you need anything, let me know.”

“Thanks,” I made quick steps out of the room. I was taking care of some long overdue business.

Then, I would go home to my wife.

Chapter Twenty-Three

CLAIRE

I never thought I’d enjoy counseling, and there was a good chance in a couple of months that I’d hate it. Dr. Navarro pushed me to remember and talk about things I’d rather leave hidden. Today, I didn’t. Of course, she didn’t know my story yet. We were just getting to know one another. The next session we had, hopefully, would be at her office and in person.

It was so quiet in the condo without Lucas. Lonely too. Part of that might be the overwhelming fear of not seeing him again. I understood that was a chance every time he walked out the door. We all had that chance, but I knew his plans. I spent all day praying that he was safe. I didn’t like going to bed or waking up without him.

Grabbing the teakettle from the stove, I filled it with water and returned it to heat up for tea. I pulled a cup from the cabinet and selected a tea I thought would help soothe my nerves.

As I waited for the water, my vision blurred as thoughts meandered. I hadn’t told anyone the worst part. Well, beyond what happened to me.

The part where I still wanted to be loved by Franklin and the sick part where I still loved him. He was horrible to me when I was little. There were fleeting moments where memories played of him smiling at me. He danced with me. Combed my hair. Laughed while drinking invisible tea with me.

Then it changed overnight.

Mom and Dad argued. It was horrible. I heard it, and it went on for hours and hours. The next day, I didn’t see my mom. The nanny told me she’d taken a vacation and would be back in a few days. That was the last time I saw the nanny.

Then Daddy came into my room.

I hugged myself. A switch had flipped. I remember running to him. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to remember beyond that. I didn’t. I just knew after that day he never smiled at me again. I didn’t understand, and even learning that he wasn’t my biological father, I still saw him as Daddy.

How sick and twisted was that? To love someone who had treated you so viciously. The things he did to me and allowed to happen to me. Why did he get to live, and my mom had to die?

The teakettle shrieked. I pulled it from the burner and poured it over the tea bag. Well, it wasn’t the Earl Grey I was used to, but it smelled good. I was happily surprised to find it in Lucas’s cabinet.

I loved him. I realized that this morning when I woke up, and he was gone for the third day in a row. I felt safe with him.

We’d texted little things here and there. The last text I sent had gone unread. I had to admit that scared me a little, but he was heading into a meeting the last time I spoke with him. I knew he was looking for Franklin’s whereabouts, and if they’ve located him, then there was a good chance it could be a couple more days before I saw him. I didn’t want to think of the why. I wasn’t the only one Franklin hurt, and there was a different code that Lucas lived by.

As I took the used tea bag from the cup, I heard a thud just outside the front door and jumped. I tossed it and made it halfway before I thought better of it. I saw this movie. The dumb girl died. There were a few more indecipherable sounds, and then the door was kicked open.

Franklin.

I stared at him and slowly began to back up. I had hot water on the stove, and the knives were stowed in the cutting block. That was at least two weapons. There were probably more, but maybe not as easily accessible.

Then I was reminded that Lucas hadn’t returned my text. The thought left me breathless.

Franklin smiled. “There is no one to rescue you. No one to save you. I won’t make it quick, but it’ll be quick enough. I’ll make sure the paper is filled with wonderful details of your accomplishments.”

I swallowed and put a little force in my voice, so it didn’t show the fear pulsing through me. “People will know it was you.”

“No. I’ll be the distraught father, mourning the loss of his daughter.” He took a step forward. “I warned her Lucas Kalantzis was no good. I went along with it because she seemed so happy.” His phone rang, and he answered without taking his eyes off me. “This is Benoit.”

“We’ve got him.” A deep male voice responded.

I froze.

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