Page 131 of Retribution

“Harry told me about what happened, I’m so sorry.” Her voice drones on, I bite my lip and look away, I appreciate the sympathy but not in public, in the middle of a grocery store.

“I’m also sorry about Willow, I bet the time-zone difference will be difficult.” She says.

I falter and stop.

“Time zone difference?” I question her.

What is she talking about? There is no difference between Atlanta and Florida.

“Yeah, it must be a pain to have to travel to Dubai the next time you see her.” Dubai?

“Lottie, what are you talking about?” I deadpan, my voice coming out stern as my fists clench.

“Dubai…” She trails off, a confused look on her face.

“I have to go.” I drop my basket and run out of the store, straight to my car.

A note sits tucked into my windscreen wipers.

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, I was in there for five minutes.

I snatch it from the wipers as the rain begins to downpour.

Thankful I decided to bring my phone with me, I dial Reed. He picks up after three rings.

“Hey, baby.” He answers.

My heart is pulsing so hard my ears ring, I close my eyes to try and focus on slowing my heavy breathing.

“Woah, baby what’s wrong?” He can hear the turmoil through the phone.

“Lottie… Willow… Dubai…” I manage to choke out, my heavy panting making it difficult to speak.

“What about Lottie? What?”

“Lottie said something about Willow– in Dubai.” I finish, but my chest is heaving, my heart is hurting and my head is swirling with worry.

I grip the parking ticket firmly in my hand and I begin to look at it clearly, realizing it’s not a ticket at all.

“Where are you baby? I’m coming.” His voice trails off in the background as I tear into the envelope, ripping the cursive writing directly in two.

This card is different to the others, it isn’t the same style. It’s…

I choke as my eyes burn.

It’s a pink card, with a white circle in the center, a stork carrying a tiny pink parcel and surrounding it is ‘Welcome to the world baby girl’.

My hands tremble as I carefully open the card.

Reed’s voice calling out to me but all I can focus on right now is the card in between my hands.

The phone drops from my ear and I become weak, desolate, destroyed.

‘Checkmate’

Chapter 28

Reed

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