Page 89 of Against the Clock

I tried to keep from rolling my eyes.That was the stupidest thing I had ever heard.There was no way tomake it rightwhen you took someone’s life—especially a child.Though I imagined that the guilt was constantly eating away at him, I couldn’t see what he could possibly do to fix what he had done.It wasn’t like he could just give her a baby.

“Elias and I struggled to get pregnant with Rosie.She was a miracle baby, and we cherished every moment we had with her.Unfortunately, I sustained severe injuries in the accident that night, and the doctors confirmed that I wouldn’t be able to carry another child.It would be too risky.But we wanted another child....”

Her voice trailed off and sent a chill up my spine.

“So you started kidnapping other people’s children?”I bit out sourly.

“It’s not really kidnapping when the parent doesn’t want them.”She shrugged.“There are plenty of parents who want to escape the burden of parenthood, and believe it or not, everyone has a price.”

“Yeah, well, my daughter isn’t for sale.”

“Trust me;everyonehas a price.But this isn’t about that, now is it?Because we’re not paying you for her.We’re taking her.Taking what is owed to us.”

“How do you figure that she’sowedto you?Just because she has the same name as your child doesn’t mean she’s destined to be yours.”

“Don’t you get it?”Julia asked, leaning forward, and looking quizzically at me.“She is the perfect daughter for us.She’s the same age that our Rosie was when she died.It’s like picking up right where we left off.”

I felt a whimper escape my throat and blinked rapidly, forcing the tears away from my eyes.

“No,” I blurted out.“I’m not letting this happen.”

“You don’t have much of a choice, now do you?I tried to make it easier for you, Quinn.I tried to give you a heads-up that this was coming so you could be prepared.I figured you would be fine knowing that you still had a chance to start over with that new boyfriend of yours.You guys look so cozy together, don’t they?”She turned and looked at Elias, waiting for his answer.

“The coziest.”

“But unfortunately, you seem so determined to stop this, and now you know too much, so we’re going to have to change plans.”

She got up and opened the drawer on the nightstand between them.

“Why now?”I asked, trying to stall for a few more minutes.I knew that Roman was close, I could feel it in my bones.I trusted that he was staying in the shadows for a reason.

“Well, they actually tried to take her a few days ago, but it wasn’t the right time,” Julia laughed and pulled a gun out.She wiped it off with the bottom of her shirt and inspected it to make sure it shined the way she wanted it to.“I had forgotten the exact date until Elias told me.Everything had to be perfect.That’s why we took her today.Today wastheday.”

“The day for what?”

“It was exactly six years ago today that our sweet Rosie died.”

“This is ridiculous!”I shrieked.“You can’t just take someone’s child because yours died.Life doesn’t work that way.”

“It’s not just that, Quinn.Justin ruinedeverythingfor me.Not only did he kill our daughter, he was constantly putting his nose where it didn’t belong.”

My stomach dropped when I realized where she was going with this.

“Yeah, that’s right.After he convinced Ariel to confess, I knew that he was getting close.Too close.I hated him for pushing her so hard.If he would have backed off, we could have taken care of her the same way we take care of anyone who leaves before they’re given permission.So many lives could have been saved.Like his.”

I didn’t want to ask, but the question flew out of my mouth before I could stop it.

“You killed my husband on purpose?”

She shrugged, then slowly, a malicious grin spread across her face.

“He had what was coming to him.”

Elias crossed and uncrossed his ankles as his legs extended out in front of me.He sighed heavily as if he was bored with the conversation.

“Anytime now, my love,” he replied, raising his brows at her.

I barely had time to see what was happening as Rosie sprung off the bed and charged at Julia.I screamed and watched in horror as her little body leaped into the air, her fists clenched as they swung at Julia before Elias jumped up and grabbed her.

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