Page 17 of A Step Too Close
“Good girl. Get your stuff and go, please.” I grab my bag and toss my phone into it before turning to let Levi hug me. “Text me a picture.”
“I will. I love you,” I say, hugging him.
“I love you too, baby.” Levi pats my ass where he bit me, and I giggle.
Once I get into the truck, I turn on music and start driving toward the store. I let myself relax when I park, but I’m not ignoring the weird feeling in my gut as I walk through the store. I get all the junk food that I know Macie wants before going to pick out a pregnancy test.
What no one knows is that I’ve taken ten already. I know I’m pregnant, but I refuse to accept it. Each test revealed a strong positive, but I’m scared. I’m scared to accept this because what if I lose the baby? What if they are born, but then they die? Will Levi survive losing another child? Will I survive understanding what it’s like to lose your child? What if something happens to me, and Levi loses another wife? God forbid, what if he loses both of us? What if I lose him and our child? Anything can happen, and I am terrified of raising a child in a world where evil lurks around every corner.
I pick a digital test but pause to stare at the options. I sense someone is standing near me, but it’s the voice that makes my blood run cold, and fear slams down on me.
“Levi must be thrilled to become a father again,” Caleb says. I look up but immediately back away when I see how close he is to me. “It’s good to see you, Arden.”
“Stay away from me,” I say harshly. I didn’t miss the fact that he not only knew Levi’s name, but also that he lost Melody.
“Is that any way to address me, Arden? You weren’t always such a bitch,” he sneers as he walks closer. I back up, getting ready to turn and run.
“You’re a fucking predator,” I say louder than intended.
“Yet no one has connected the dots,” he says simply. “Not even you and your drunk of a husband.”
“Fuck you,” I growl. “Stay away from me. Stay away from my husband.”
I turn to walk away, but he grabs my arm. I keep a grip on my shopping basket in one hand as I turn and swing at him with the other. I surprise myself when I punch him, so I immediately run before I find out just how pissed he is. His temper is fucking explosive, and I want nothing to do with it. When I get to the checkout line, I choose to go through self-check so I can hurry through. I am rushing to pay and as soon as I get the receipt, I rush out of the store.
“You can run, Arden, but I always catch my prey,” I hear Caleb say when I get to the truck. I toss my bag into the passenger side before jogging around to the driver’s side. Why the fuck did I not come straight to this side? Before I can get into the truck, Caleb grabs me by the throat and slams me back against the side.
“Please, leave me alone,” I whimper. “Please, Caleb.”
“No one believed you before, so what makes you think anyone will come to your rescue now?” Caleb asks.
“Please, Caleb,” I beg as I start crying. I wince when I feel a blade press against my lower belly. “Please.”
“Turn around,” he growls.
“Caleb,” I say as I try to fight back the sobs.
“If I have to ask you again, I will not hesitate to carve that fucking baby out of you and leave him a widow again,” Caleb growls. His eyes are devoid of emotion and only evil lurks in his gaze on me. I sniffle and hiccup, trying to keep control of my emotions, as I turn. He shoves me over the driver’s seat and I hear the condom tear open. “No matter how many times I watch them cry, they’ll never be you.”
“Wha…” I start to say but I am cut off when he pushes my face into the seat. He spits for added lubricant before burying himself in my ass. I whimper as he holds me in place and thrusts hard and fast. The discomfort is manageable but it’s the flashbacks to nineteen that are unimaginably painful. I sob as he rapes me, but I don’t fight. I just want to get in the truck and get the fuck away from here.
He groans as he pushes deep. As soon as he comes, he pulls out of me and backs off. The second his hands are off me, I jump into the truck, slam the door, and lock them all. I’m not surprised when I notice that he gets into the creepy, windowless van beside me. When he pulls away, I take the time to grab my phone. Luckily, a car gets in his way for just long enough that I can take a picture of his license plate.
WRG-1111
I am running on adrenaline as I stomp on the gas and peel out of the parking lot. I want to disappear, but I know I can’t. He mentioned Levi and knows his history, so he is in danger too. I dial his number as I speed toward my brother and best friend. The moment I hear his voice, the emotion hits me.
“Hey, baby,” Levi says cheerfully.
“Levi,” I whimper. “I need you.”
“What happened? Where are you?”
“Driving to Macie and Wilder's,” I cry.
“What happened baby? Are you okay?”
“Caleb. I saw Caleb,” I say. “He… I need you. Please.”
