Page 84 of Sebastian

“I’m here to see my wife.”

“You don’t get to call me that you sick, deranged, asshole.” Emma watched a horrific smile grow across his face.

“He’s not talking about you, Emma,” Natalie smiled, removing the headphones from Addie’s head.

“Mama?” Addie questioned, looking around the room until her eyes landed on Marco. Emma thought the little girl would be scared at the intrusion of a man she didn’t know. She never expected Addie’s face to light up with joy.

“Daddy!! You’re here!” Marco held out his arms and Emma watched in horror as Addie bounced towards him, giggling with joy as he spun her around and around and around. She didn’t seem dizzy, but Emma sure as hell felt like she was. What was happening?

“Imogene, I heard you’ve been such a good friend to my wife and daughter. How ever will I repay you?” The smug smile was plastered back on his face as Natalie walked over and planted a kiss on his lips. “Babe, why don’t you take Addie out for some ice cream?”

“Daddy, aren’t you coming with us? I missed you!”

“Oh honey, daddy wants to catch up with Emma. She’s an old friend. You go with mommy and I’ll see you in a little bit, okay?”

“I don’t want to! You just got home and I want to stay with you.”

“Adeline. Go with your mom, now. I promise I’ll have a surprise waiting for you when you get back.”

Emma watched the pout on the little girls face turn to a bright smile.

“Okay, daddy! I love you!”

“I love you too, piccola luna.”

Little moon.

Oh, shit. If her entire world wasn’t spinning out of control before, it really was now. Natalie smiled at her knowingly, grabbing Addie’s hand and taking her outside of the house before Emma could stop them and ask any questions. There was no doubt in her mind, Addie was her Luna. And she’d been so close to her that entire time.

Warm tears spilled down her face as she watched Marco close the door to the house. A million questions ran through her mind as she tried to remember every detail of Addie’s face and personality. Emma’s heart swelled when she thought about all the little moments she’d been able to have with her daughter over the last few weeks. She had the same brown hair and hazel eyes as her. Passed down from Emma’s mom. Now that she thought about it, Addie’s face shape took after her mother’s too. How had she not seen what was right in front of her?

“I see you figured it out,” Marco said slyly, as if his little pet name hadn’t been used on purpose to clue her in. His large frame loomed between her and the only escape. He had her boxed in. She’d been so stunned by everything, she hadn’t thought about a plan to get away. And in an instant, it was too late.

One of his disgusting hands wrapped around her neck. Shit, she’d forgotten just how strong he was, and his fingers bit into her skin as she struggled to pull any oxygen into her lungs. Marco marched her backwards as she clawed at his arms, until her head slammed into the wall. Stars danced in her vision while his hot breath assaulted her.

“You’ve been a very naughty girl. I took you in, allowed you to keep your filthy, drunk, good for nothing step-father alive, and this is the thanks I get? All this time spent running from me. Oh, Imogene.” He traced a finger down the side of her face as she tried to escape his grasp. “Who knew your downfall would be thanks to an associate randomly coming to this sleepy little town. If he hadn’t been arrested here, I never would have been looking at the Bell Ridge Review, where, imagine my surprise I see my Imogene featured on the front page for her little bakery. What luck! I’ve spent years thinking about what I would do once I found you. And although this cat and mouse game has been so much fun, it’s even more enjoyable now that I know your bodyguards won’t be coming to save you.”

Fear ripped through every vein in her body. He was going to kill her, she was certain of it.

“Ah yes. I’m going to have fun with you. One last time.” His calloused words confirmed her worst fear as darkness closed in all around her.

Twenty-Six

“Thanks for flying in, Agent Wilson.” Sebastian shook the man’s hand.

“Sebastian. How many times do I need to remind you it’s okay to call me Max?”

“Probably a few more times. It’s just a hard habit to break from my time in the military.”

“I get it.” Max looked around the restaurant. “I really think it’s best if we chat somewhere a little more private. Perhaps your office would be better.” The FBI agent looked around Sal’s and eyed the other patrons with suspicion.

“We’re sitting in the private events room. Gage already swept it for bugs and set up multiple defenses, so we’re covered and can speak freely. Besides, the team seemed to think having some food available would help them brainstorm better. And the wings here at Sal’s are really something you shouldn’t miss.”

Max nodded with understanding. “Okay, lead the way, then.”

They walked into the meeting room, where Gage, Hawk, Stone, and Nash were already waiting. Each man stood and shook the agent’s hand before sitting down.

“We need to talk about how exactly we’re going to wrap everything up without Emma being involved.” Seb jumped right in, grabbing the glass of whiskey that was in front of his spot at the table.

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