Page 133 of Illicit Heir

I offer, "I won't hurt him, but I want to know where she's at."

"There's no one here by that name or fitting that description. I swear," she claims.

"There's not," he agrees.

I peer closer and finally release him. I finish making my way through the entire house. When it's clear she's not there, my gut falls further, and I leave.

I go to the next bed-and-breakfast on the list, but it's the same situation. Lauren is nowhere in sight, and nothing changes as I make my way through the list.

No one seems to know who she is or has any information about her. It doesn't matter how much I scare or threaten them. I'm at the eighth one when a woman glares at me, threatening, "Call the garda, George."

Anger fills me, swirling with my frustration. I grab my knife and push her up against the wall. I press the blade to her throat, warning, "I don't have time for your antics."

Her eyes widen and her lip quivers.

A man begs, "Don't hurt her, please. That's my wife."

I keep a hold of her and turn my face toward him. I assert, "Then I want to know where Lauren is."

He holds his hands in the air, claiming, "We don't know any Lauren. I swear!"

I slowly release her.

Her husband pushes her behind him.

I order, "You two. Show me every room."

The man says, "Follow me."

I point to his wife. "She comes too."

They obey, but Lauren is nowhere.

I leave the house, get in my car, and speed to the next place on the list. But I can't help wondering if I'm on another wild goose chase or if Lauren's really anywhere near here.

23

Lauren

"This looks amazing," I declare, glancing around the room. The walls have been painted blue. A border runs in the middle with multi-colored baby socks. A brown crib and a rocking chair are in the corner, and my bed is next to it. The closet is a mix of my clothes and the baby's. Diapers fill the shelves.

Annie beams. "We're so glad ya love it. I wasn't sure about the border, but I'm glad we went with it!"

Dominick slings his arm around her and grins, declaring, "Annie has a knack for these things."

"She does," I agree and get teary-eyed. It happens all the time now. I add, "I can't thank ya enough. You've been amazing through all this, and I'm so grateful for ya."

"Stop saying 'thank ya' all the time," Annie states.

Dominick nods. "Aye. We told ya. We're completely selfish. This is fun and exciting for us."

I smile, glancing at the room again. So much has changed. As soon as Annie and Dominick found out, they became like parents to me.

From time to time, I think about my mum, and while I still love her, I know this is a better situation than what she would want for me.

And I still can't believe she told Caleb it's his baby when I told her not to. I have so many mixed feelings about my mum. I know she means well, but she's crossed the line. She knows Caleb's evil and is capable of anything. I don't trust him near me or my baby. So the knowledge of what she's done sent a new level of determination through me to make sure that I always stay here with Annie and Dominick.

Annie asserts, "Well, I think it's time we start dinner. The guests will be hungry."

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