Page 155 of Always Be an Us

"Good idea. I’m going with you."

Cross cocks his head to one side, doubt riffling through his features. But before he can protest, a voice comes out from behind him, "I think that’s supposed to be my job."

Suddenly Monty is at the end of the door with a very perplexed looking Grandpa. "Emma Jane?" Grandpa asks as they walk in and I step back to give them space. "What are you– What is going on here?""Um…" I look at the other two men who merely shrug. "I can’t really talk right now Grandpa, I need to go with Monty to meet Declan."

Monty raises an eyebrow. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Seconded," Cross says. "It would be better if Monty and I go.""Or me," Jensen suggests but I shake my head.

"You don't even know where he is," I point out. "I know where Rick’s cabin is and I know those woods way better than you. Cross, you need to stay here with Officer Jensen and Grandpa before back up gets here. Monty, let’s go.""But–"

"We really don’t have time to waste arguing. It’s about to rain. We need to go now."All four men share a look and I cross my hands over my chest, letting them know that I mean business.

Monty capitulates first. "She’s right. We don’t have time.""The boss is not going to like the two of you going by yourself.""Then let’s make it three." We all jerk in unison as a new voice arrives and spin around to see Micah at the doorway. God only knows how long he’s been standing there.

He smiles wryly. "I was just looking for my friend Declan and they told me he was here. Something tells me I arrived right on time."

Chapter Forty-Six

Declan

I shut my eyes as the bastard presses the gun deeper into my skull.

"Don’t move," he orders in a silky tone. "Drop your weapon."

I cock my head only slightly, trying to see him in the window's reflection. "That’s confusing messaging my friend."

"Shut up. Just drop the gun."

"Hmmm." I move slowly to place the gun on the ground in front of me. At this angle, I can just about make out his shadow on the wall and catch a glimpse of the bottom of his face in the glass. He's about my height, but not overly muscular. I could probably take him in one-on-one combat if need be.

But then there’s the problem of the pesky little gun he has on me. I’m not necessarily concerned he’s going to kill me for my own sake, but if he does kill me, he’ll probably go back and look in the car and realize that Amelia is gone.

She hasn’t yet made it far enough to be at the bottom of the hill, so I doubt she’s safe with Monty. I need to keep this guy distracted so that she escapes, which means I’ll have to comply with his orders.

As I drop the gun, he says, "On your feet."

I oblige, wondering what exactly he plans on doing with me. Am I going to die here? Not going to lie, I knew it was a possibility coming into this. But now that it's becoming an imminent reality, I can't help but think back to pivotal moments in my life, especially recently.

And God, I have so many regrets.

I wish I’d spent more time with my daughter watching her grow.

And I wish I didn't spend so long fighting my feelings for Emma.

I should have told her that I loved her earlier. I should have told her how amazing she is, and how much I need her in my life. I should have done a lot of things, but I’m here right now and all that matters is that my daughter is alive at the end of this.

"Move." He shoves the gun into my back.

I start walking, towards the door.

"Open it," he says.

Here we go. The sense of finality is punctuated by another round of thunder. The door creaks as I pull it open.

The wood is damp and smells like mildew, and although it’s the same room that Emma and I took refuge in from the storm, it somehow looks different. When I was here with Emma, even with the storm raging outside there was something cozy about it.

Even with the dirty mattress and dusty corners, just the fact that we were cuddled together in front of the fireplace made for a homier ambiance.

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