Page 36 of Moonlight Feels Right
"You're coming with me," Jeremy said.
As he stepped forward, Hunter jumped in front of him.
"She's not going anywhere with you," Hunter said forcefully.
Jeremy looked Hunter up and down, probably noting his height and strength advantage, his military bearing and the hard set of his jaw. "This doesn't concern you," Jeremy said. "They're trying to take my wife."
"Sara can make her own choices. If she wants to leave, she leaves," Hunter returned.
Jeremy's lips tightened. "You can't do this, Sara. I'm your family."
"I'm her daughter," Emmalyn said fiercely. "And she's coming with me. Get in the car, Mom." She looked at her mother, who gazed back at her in conflict. "Please," she added.
The simple word seemed to convince her. Linda opened the back door and then grabbed her mom's hand and got her into the car while Hunter prevented Jeremy from getting any closer.
"You'll be sorry, Sara," Jeremy warned. "This isn't the end. And when you come back, things won't be good for you."
Her aunt slammed the door shut so her mother could no longer hear Jeremy's threats.
"Leave her alone," Linda told Jeremy. "She's done with you."
Jeremy's anger flared, and he took another step in their direction.
"Don't," Hunter ordered. "Walk away."
Jeremy's expression tightened, but he clearly realized he was no match for the younger, taller, stronger Hunter. After a tense moment, he stepped back.
Emmalyn hadn't planned on going with her mom and aunt, but she didn't want to leave them alone in case Jeremy tried to follow them. Hunter gave her a subtle nod, so she got into the back seat with her mom. Linda started the car and drove past both men, dust swirling up behind them, finally blocking them from view.
Turning back to her mother, she saw her visibly shaking. She put her arms around her as tears streamed from her eyes. "It's okay, Mom. You did it. You're free now."
Her mother didn't answer, but it didn't matter because she'd finally gotten her back, and she wasn't going to let her go. She met her aunt's gaze in the rearview mirror and saw tears on her aunt's face as well. This rescue had been a long time coming, and it was all because Linda had never given up on her sister.
After a few minutes, Hunter called her on the phone.
"I'm right behind you," he said. "I don't think that guy is following you, but I'm keeping an eye out."
"Thank you," she said gratefully.
"No problem. Where are you going?"
She paused at the question. "Hang on. Aunt Linda, would Jeremy know where you live? Should we go to my apartment?"
"I'm house-sitting for a friend for the next few months. The address is 211 Franklin Place in La Jolla," Linda said. "I don't think anyone from Haven would know my address, but I wanted to be sure, so I'm staying elsewhere for a while."
"You thought of everything," she murmured, impressed with her aunt's planning.
"She always did," her mom said. "Linda was better at planning ahead than I was."
She got back on the phone and gave him the address.
"I'll see you there," Hunter said.
"Was that the man who stopped Jeremy?" her mother asked as she ended the call.
"Yes. He's a…friend."
"Well, he has my gratitude," Linda said. "I'm not sure we could have gotten away without him. I didn't think Jeremy would be at the market, Sara."
