Page 341 of Bad for Me

Turning to Jacob, I raise an eyebrow. He doesn’t lower his gaze and earns my respect. “Yeah.”

“Good.” Untying Magnolia, she picks up her knife, and I chuckle.

“I’m proud of you for taking the knife. Use it if you need to. I won’t fight you.”

Her wide eyes and pert little nose turn upward so I can see those freckles on her face. “You saved our mom.”

It’s not a question, and I don’t confirm. Turning away, I move toward Jacob, hoping we aren’t going to have an issue. He instantly tries to lunge for me, but I catch him in a bear hug.

“I got you, kiddo. It’s going to be alright. Your mom is safe, and I know you don’t know me or trust me, but I’m your Uncle Mitchell. I’m not going to harm you.”

He needs weight training and some damn cardio. Only after a little fight, he’s winded. “Are you good now?”

Jacob blushes but picks up the knife, puts it in his pocket, and grunts. I almost chuckle at his gumption, but the kid doesn’t deserve to be made fun of. Fuck that. He needs someone to teach him how to be stronger.

13

ROSIE

None of Jacob’sfriends have seen him in a week. My mind is in denial that anything has happened to my baby. I’m trying hard not to panic as the man rings up my burner phone.

Getting back to the car, I lock myself in and rip into the packaging. I don’t even care that I cut my finger opening the damn thing. It’s not important right now.

Mitchell. It may be gullible of me to think he will help. He’s probably long gone by now and won’t give a shit that my son is missing.

Still, I call my cell phone, and it rings twice before it’s answered.

“Hello?” Wait. Is that Magnolia? Oh God.

“Magnolia, baby, where are you?”

“We are in Dad’s BMW, headed toward your house.”

Either I’m dreaming, or Mitchell has my children. Will he use them to keep me in line? Is this a game? God, so many questions.

“Where’s Jacob?”

“Jacob is with us, Mom.” Magnolia seems a bit shell-shocked. Her voice quivers, but she doesn’t seem afraid. I wonder what happened.

I take a deep breath. Thank god. “Maggie, sweetie, why are you here in Texas? I thought you were staying…”

“Mom, Aunt Dalia kidnapped us. Dad put her up to it. Uncle Mitchell came in, guns blazing. We… We are, um, alright. The house isn’t too far from here.”

“Don’t go to the house. Put Mitchell on the phone, sweetheart.”

“Okay, Mom. I love you.”

“Oh baby, I love you too. Tell Jacob I love him and that I’ll see y’all soon.”

“I will, Mom. Here’s Uncle Mitchell.”

I hear the rustling of the phone being passed, and my heart races. I thought Mitchell was on my side, but I don’t know. This could have all been a ploy to…to what? I don’t own anything, and I can’t help Mitchell in any way with his crimes.

“Hello, poppet.”

My pussy clenches when he calls me that in his deep rumble of a voice. God, get it together, Rosie. Focus, dammit.

“Don’t hurt them, Mitchell. Please.” The plea in my voice makes me cringe. I have to be strong now. Being weak won’t get me anywhere.

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