Page 99 of Love Me Again

“He doesn’t need your support, you little wench. I had a feeling you were going to come out of the woodwork again, you’ve sniffed out an opportunity to dig your claws into Cole, but I won't let that happen.” Aimee says, taking a threatening step toward Sophie, who looks at me ruefully.

“Aimee, Jo, let her through.” I sigh tiredly, not having the energy to fight. Aimee looks at me sharply, and I nod slowly. The girls back away, letting her pass, although they didn’t take their eyes off her for a second as she strolls over to me.

“I’m so sorry, Tristan. You must be beside yourself with worry.” She offers, rubbing my arm supportively. “Have you heard anything at all? Are they any closer to finding her?” She asks, and I sigh, rubbing my forehead.

“No, nothing yet. They’re searching, and we’re all here waiting for some sort of news.” I explain and walk into the kitchen. She follows me and watches as I lean against the kitchen island. “I just don’t understand what they want with her.”

Sophie walks over to me and nods slowly. “Tristan, don’t think the worst, they’ll find her, and she’ll be back home with you where she belongs, sweetie. Whoever took her returned your baby safely. They might let her go too.”

I look at my feet and sigh. “It’s been four days since they took her. They sent us her dress, which was torn and covered in blood. Wherever she is or whoever she’s with, she’s not safe. I know that for sure.” I say, tears spilling over and running down my cheeks. “I just want her home alive and well.”

“Oh, sweetie, she will be,” Sophie assures me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “It’s going to be okay. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask. I’m here for you always.” I sigh, closing my eyes, and wrap an arm around her waist. I open my eyes and turn my head when a familiar smell hits my senses. I know that smell. That floral...perfume. The scent on Alaia. I pull back from the hug and look at her for a long moment. No, Cole, stop being stupid. Sophie would never do something this crazy. I blink and clear my throat.

“I’m going to use the bathroom. Why don’t you grab yourself a drink? I’ll be back in a second.” I tell her, and she nods, smiling a little. I watch her as she walks over to the fridge as I walk out of the kitchen. “Josh,” I call out, and he looks at me from the sofa. I gesture for him to follow me, and he gets up, following me as I run up the stairs to the bedroom.

“What’s wrong?” Josh asks, watching me as I rummage through Alaia’s laundry basket. I pull out the outfit she was wearing when I got her and sniff it. I pull it away from my nose and pull my shirt and sniff the perfume that had rubbed off onto my shirt. It’s the same smell.

“Smell that.” I give him Alaia’s outfit, and he sniffs it and looks at me, his eyes narrow a little. “Now smell this.” I pull my shirt, and he leans in closer, sniffing before he pulls back, looking at me bewildered. “It’s the same smell, right? I’m not crazy?”

Josh looks at Alaia’s outfit and then at me and nods. “Yeah, it’s the same for sure. Why?”

“When I picked Alaia up from the station and brought her home, I smelt this perfume on her clothes,” I explain, and Josh frowns. “I knew it was familiar, but I couldn't place it. It’s not Shayla’s smell. She hates perfumes with strong floral smells; it gives her a headache. It wasn’t until Sophie just hugged me that I placed the smell. It’s Coco Chanel, I know because it’s Sophie's favourite perfume. I bought it for her.” I explain quietly, and Josh’s eyes grow wide. “Think about it? Why would Alaia come back smelling like a perfume that’s not her mother's? And who hates Shayla and would benefit from her disappearance?”

“Sophie,” Josh utters, his eyes narrowed. “Surely she wouldn’t go this fucking far, man. That’s some fucked up accusation, Cole. We’re talking about kidnapping and possibly manslaughter; she couldn’t have fallen that far off the reserve surely.” Josh whispers furiously, watching me as I pace frantically.

“Josh, think about it. No demands have been made for ransom. Sophie doesn’t need the money she’s loaded, so she’s got the resources to hire people. Alaia’s returned safely, but Shayla isn’t, and she shows up the same day as the baby and the dress?”

“No, you’re right. It’s too much of a coincidence. I’m going to tell the police outside and call the detective. You keep her here.” He says and runs out of the bedroom. How the fuck did I not even consider Sophie. I’ll fucking kill her. I exhale deeply and rush downstairs. I see her sitting on the sofa gazing down at Alaia, smiling knowingly. Goddamn psychotic bitch. I stride over, grab her by the arm, and lift her to her feet, dragging her to the foyer.

“Where is she?!” I shout, glaring at her. Everyone gets up to their feet, watching us. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER?!” I roar in her face, and Sophie looks up at me, startled.

“Tristan, what are you talking about? Done with who?” She asks, looking up at me, her blue eyes wide. I grab her by the throat and slam her hard against the wall, and she cries out.

“I’ll fucking kill you, Sophie, I swear to GOD! Where’s Shayla?!” I bellow, glaring stormily at her.

“Cole, what’s going on?” Aimee asks, coming up behind me.

“It’s her! She's the one that’s kidnapped, Shayla!” I growl, tightening my grip on her throat and her eyes go wide, and she gasps, trying to pry my fingers from her throat.

“Tristan, I can’t breathe.” She gasps, and I loosen my hold, not wanting to kill her before telling me where Shayla was.

“I know it’s you. Alaia came home smelling like your fucking perfume! You fucking psycho, where is she?! TALK!” I roar, looking into her wide blue eyes as she stares at me. I’m ripped away from her, and she falls to the floor, coughing and gasping. Police officers hold me back as I go for her again.

I watch Aimee as she walks over to Sophie and grabs her by the hair, lifting her back to her feet. “I should have fucking known it was you! What did you do with her? I’ll fucking rip your head off bitch, what have you done with Shayla?!” She screams before she punches her in the face, and Sophie hits the floor with a whimper. Josh grabs Aimee and lifts her into his arms as she goes for her again.

“I don't know what you're talking about?!” Sophie cries, wiping the blood seeping from her mouth. “Why would I kidnap Shayla? You’re all crazy.” She cries, getting up to her feet.

“If anyone would want her gone, it’s you! You’ll do anything to get Cole back! That’s why you’re here, after all, aren't you? Your puny little brain thought if Shayla were out of the picture for good, Cole would come running to you! Didn't you?!” Aimee screams, and for a fleeting second, I see Sophie's guise slip, and the evil shone in her eyes before they went back to the usual rueful façade she was putting on.

“I only came here to check on a friend. Since when has that been a crime!” Sophie argues, brushing away her crocodile tears. “I’m going to have you arrested for assault.” She cries, looking at the blood on her finger when she touches her lip.

“Good! I’ll fucking finish you off on the inside then, you crazy bitch!” Aimee sneers, fighting in Josh’s hold.

“Sophie, where is Shayla?! What have you done with her?!” I growl, trying to break free from the officer's hold on me, and she looks at me shaking her head.

“I can’t believe you would accuse me of such a thing, Tristan. I came here with good intentions, and look at how you're treating me. I can’t believe I ever loved you!” She sobs, trying to walk out, but Jo steps in her way and glares at her.

“You’re not going anywhere bitch. You better start talking, or I'm going to rip your hair from your head and punch those veneers so far down your throat you’ll be shitting out teeth for the rest of your life.” She threatens, advancing toward her. “What have you done with my best friend?” Sophie backs up against the wall.

“I haven’t done anything to her! I don't know anything about her kidnapping, I swear.”

“Stop lying!” Jo screams and slaps her hard across the face. “If you thought for a second, we would have ever allowed you to get close to Cole and Alaia, you’re dumber than you fucking look.”

“Yeah, over our dead bodies, bitch!” Aimee hisses in Josh’s hold. Sam walks over and pulls Jo away from Sophie, and glares at her darkly. He’s unusually calm, which is never a good sign.

“Where’s my sister?” He almost whispers to her, and she backs away from him and throws me a beseeching look. “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” Sam snaps, making her jump. “You better start talking and tell us where my sister is, or I swear to God I will do far worse than kill you. I know people in dark places, and I will make you disappear quicker than you fucking blink.” He tells her calmly, and tears roll down Sophie's face as she stares at him.

“I didn’t do anything.” She whispers, shaking her head, terror evident in the depths of her blue eyes. Detective Scott walks into the house and pulls Sam away from Sophie.

“Sophie Turner, I am arresting you on suspicion of kidnapping, you do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something you later rely on in court...”

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