Page 77 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

“That’s it, we have to go,” Rhodes demanded, his voice tight, his teeth clenched. “I’ll not hear another word of what these men are capable of. None of that is ever happening again.”

“If we’re going to do this we have to go home first. Grab our things,” Mom whispered.

“With all due respect, ma’am, I can buy you a department store full of essentials. We really need to leave Colorado as fast as possible and let my lawyers do their jobs to ensure your continued safety.”

My mother stood up. “You don’t understand. We have to go home!” she screeched and clawed at her own arms.

“Why? What’s so important that can’t be replaced?” I asked gently.

“I need to go home,” she demanded. “And then, we’ll go with you. We’ll try.” She reached out to Maisie and then to Zach, tucking them close. “I have to try for all of you.” She nodded as though convincing herself.

“Fine,” Rhodes growled, tension vibrating off the man in waves. “Let’s go.”

* * * *

We arrived within fifteen minutes of leaving the funeral home. Rhodes made the apology to the funeral director, claiming we had an emergency and to continue as planned with the few people in attendance.

Mom sobbed all the way to the car and all throughout the ride there, grief and fear taking its toll.

My stomach tightened painfully as I stared at the one-story home in the quiet suburban neighborhood. Pretty little flowers dotted the path leading to the stairs up to the front door. It was all to keep up with the Joneses. A perfect little lie for everyone to believe that the local Chief Marshal, his pretty wife, and kids all lived happily here together.

“We have to hurry. Grab whatever you can. We need to leave in the next ten minutes,” Rhodes barked.

Mom and my siblings raced into the house. I wanted to help but was too afraid to go in, old demons wreaking havoc with my emotions.

“Do you want to wait out here?” Rhodes asked. “I can help your family gather what’s necessary.”

I nodded. “I…I…just can’t go in there.”

Rhodes cupped my cheek and then kissed my lips. “I’ve got this. You wait here. We’ll be done in ten minutes.” He turned to two of the four guards that came with us. We had divided into two blacked-out SUVs. “You guys check around back and keep watch. One of you with me inside the house, and the other out front, keeping an eye on Maia. Call out if you see anything or anyone approach.”

“Will do, sir.” The one in charge of the rest answered then pointed to positions for each man as Rhodes instructed.

I was left with the serious, big, beefy looking dude who didn’t speak often. He wore a buzz cut, black sunglasses and a scowl. If I didn’t know he was in our security detail, I’d be terrified of him.

Pulling up my phone, I leaned against the SUV and called Emily.

She answered on the first ring, sadness in her tone. “Hey.”

“What’s the matter?” I asked instantly.

She waited several seconds before saying anything, but I could hear her sniffling.

“Emily, you’re freaking me out,” I snapped. “What’s going on?”

“Mom left,” she whispered.

“She left?” I pushed off the car and started to walk, moving away from the car and down the path a bit. “Where did she go?”

“Some job, or something.” The sorrow in her voice struck like a fist to the heart. “Said it was an opportunity of a lifetime that she couldn’t pass up,” she croaked.

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry.” I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. That woman…there was a special place in hell for women like her.

“It’s my fault. I believed that maybe,”—she sniffled—“just maybe she actually wanted to get to know me better. Be a part of my life. But nooooooo. Not when some designer, or photographer, or magazine or whatever comes along. Why are they always more important than me? Than her own kid?”

I could hear her crying, and my entire body became white hot. I wanted to strangle that woman so badly. Instead, I breathed in through my nose and out my mouth, calming myself down so that I could handle my devastated stepdaughter like an adult. My fury could wait.

“Em, sometimes people make really bad decisions. Your mom just made one. That’s on her, and she’ll have to suffer the consequences of her actions. All your dad and I have been ableto think about is picking up my family so we could come back to you, because we love and miss you every second we’re gone.”

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