by Mj Fields
���Why���s that?��� Rebecca asked.
���To protect Emma,��� Maddox answered and walked past her rolling the cot.
Emma smiled and whispered at Rebecca, ���We���ll talk about it later.���
* * *
Emma walked down the stairs, and Rebecca was waiting for her in the family room.
���Sorry, it has been crazy around here,��� Emma sat next to Rebecca, ���They���ve all been through more than any kid should have to.���
���Maddox���s sleeping with you?��� Rebecca asked.
���It started when Brody was taken into custody the first time; they felt safer when we all slept in the same room. It was getting better. I assume him being gone again has brought back all those fears. Maddox feels I need to be protected so I���ll allow it,��� Emma stood up, ���Would you like some tea?���
Rebecca followed her into the kitchen, ���So you allow this?���
���Yes of course. I want them to feel safe. We���ve ensured them that our home is their safe place. I���ll do whatever it takes to make sure them of that,��� Emma handed Rebecca a cup of tea.
They sat quietly at the breakfast bar, and the phone rang.
���Hello���yes this is Emma Hines���What? Is he alright?...Where are they taking him?...Can I be there?...Thank you,��� Emma hung up the phone.
���What���s happened?��� Rebecca gasped, ���Is it Brody?���
���Yes, damn it ��� he���s been stabbed, they are taking him to the hospital, I have to go,��� Emma grabbed her keys and sent Clive a message.
���I should tell my parents,��� Emma started towards the stairs.
���I���ll go tell them. God Emma he has to be okay,��� Rebecca hugged her.
Clive was at the door, ���Let’s go, Emma.���
* * *
Maddox walked into the room and sat on the cot. He pulled out his phone.
- Sorry I haven���t returned your text. There are a few things you need to know. I have completed the puzzle Harper. I don���t know where this road will lead me. I do want you to know that I value every moment we���ve shared, but it won���t probably happen again. I���m not good at keeping promises. It���s necessary now, to forget you ever knew me.
Maddox sent the text and Rebecca knocked lightly on the door.
Maddox took a deep breath and stood up.
���We need to talk Maddox,��� Rebecca walked towards him.
���We should go downstairs,��� Maddox asked his heart beating faster.
���You first,��� Rebecca smiled.
* * *
Maddox stood by the counter, ���I know who you are.���
���I thought you may have,��� Rebecca stood across from him.
���Why are you doing this to him?��� Maddox asked.
���He was getting in the way,��� Rebecca���s eyes were frigid.
���You���ll be exposed, you know that, right?��� Maddox looked at her.
���Oh I don���t think so Maddox,��� Rebecca���s laugh was dangerous.
���Was London���s Child a cover?��� Maddox asked.
���My brothers��� brain child just made it easier and much more profitable,��� Rebecca answered, ���Maddox you could keep your mouth shut about all of this and enjoy what it will bring to you. More than you could ever imagine.���
���Really? Do tell me more,��� Maddox sat on the counter.
���I will not be a problem for you Maddox. You���ve kept your mouth shut for hours now. I think I can trust you NOT to expose me, can’t I?��� Rebecca asked.
���You���ll leave them alone?��� Maddox asked.
���I will.��� Rebecca answered, ���But you need to go with me, when the time is right of course.���
���All those people that have died? Do you think that won’t be discovered?��� Maddox asked as he got off the counter and went to the refrigerator.
���I killed no one. Your mother did Maddox,��� Rebecca answered.
���Troy and your father?��� Maddox asked as he poured a glass of milk.
���Troy yes, my father was crazy, and I needed to protect you,��� Rebecca answered.
���How���s killing him protecting me?��� Maddox asked and took a drink.
���All in good time. Maddox, it means you���ll have the means to do everything you���ve ever dreamed,��� Rebecca smiled.
���Ann and Rupert, Ariel?��� Maddox asked.
���I have people everywhere,��� Rebecca smiled, ���They can keep you safe and well fed. You���ll never be hungry again.���
���Is that what happened to you Aunt Rebecca? Were you hungry?��� Maddox asked with concern in his eyes.
���I will never be hungry again,��� Rebecca answered.
���These people, is Detective Banks on of them?��� Maddox asked.
���One of many, Rupert and Ann were as well, Maddox. They kept your sisters and Emma safe until their deaths,��� Rebecca answered.
���Why? I don���t understand,��� Maddox asked.
���Emma and your sisters knew nothing, they weren���t a threat, I���m not evil Maddox,��� Rebecca laughed.
���So why did Rupert and Ann die?��� Maddox asked.
���They tried to get out. Once you���re in this you���re in it. They got too close. I know I won���t have that issue with you Maddox; you���re as cold as I am. A quality that I admire, the ability to stay focused, the ability to know when to stay quiet and do what needs to be done to protect those you love,��� Rebecca smiled.
���And how did you come to the conclusion that I���m like that?��� Maddox asked.
���You watched abuse for years and allowed it, in order to stay safe. When you felt pain or rage you took care of it yourself, you���re a cutter right?��� Rebecca asked.
Maddox felt his anger begin to build, ���Did you try to kill us? The car explosion was that you?���
���No, it was the good detective���s idea,��� Rebecca laughed.
���But you allowed it?��� Maddox snapped.
���Hush now Maddox there are four people in this house that don���t need to be aware of all this. And just so you know the security system is shut down for the time being,��� Rebecca stepped towards him.
���Stay away,��� Maddox stepped back.
���Or what, Maddox?��� Rebecca asked.
���I will kill you,��� Maddox growled he reached in his pocket and fumbled for the knife he had taken from the kitchen earlier.
Rebecca stopped and grabbed the gun from her pocket, ���Perfect ��� now I���m going to tell you EXACTLY what you are going to do.���
���I���m not afraid anymore,��� Maddox growled.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Emma sat next to Brody rubbing his hand, ���Em, I���m fine really I am. You should go home love.���
���I don���t want to leave you Brody,��� Emma forced back her pending tears.
���I don���t want you to either, but I���ll be fine here,��� Brody tried to sit up and winced.
���You could have died, Brody,��� Emma rested her head against his.
���Takes a lot more than a shank to the groin, they weren���t trying to kill me. Actually he called me a pervert and said he���d watche
d my films Em,��� Brody laughed, ���I think he was a fan.���
���It���s not funny, I would have died,��� Emma started.
���I was thinking of that as well, ���what would Emma do without my���������
���Brody, it���s not funny,��� Emma smiled.
���I don���t think it���s funny at all. I would have been pissed off,��� Brody smiled, ���Go home Em, I���m going to be here for two days. Bring the kids in the morning, I won’t be in orange.���
���Maddox said he wanted to come with me, he is SO off tonight, actually pulled a cot in our room and demanded he sleep in there to protect me,��� Emma was confused and concerned.
���He���s scared,��� Brody closed his eyes.
���I don���t know Brody ��� something changed. He doesn���t seem scared. He seems���angrier,��� Emma said softly.
Her phone vibrated, and she looked at it.
���Who is it?��� Brody asked.
���Tessa. I assume they heard about you being in jail again, I���ll call her back,��� Emma leaned over and kissed him, ���I will be right back?���
���Go home Em, before I need you,��� Brody winked.
���Not fair Music Man,��� Emma smiled.
���Amme,��� he bit his lip, ���Oh Em, Go NOW!���
Emma smiled, ���I love you.���
* * *
Emma walked into the hall and dialed Tessa.
���Emma, God Emma, where are you?��� Tessa asked.
���At the hospital with Clive, Brody was stabbed, but he is������
���Emma who���s with the kids?��� Tessa yelled.
Emma covered the phone, ���Clive go chat with Brody I will be right here.���
���Tessa my parents and ������Emma started.
���Rebecca, Emma get home now! It���s Rebecca oh my God, she���s with them alone,��� Tessa voice was full of terror.
Emma ran out into the street and hailed a cab, ���Tessa I���m on my way, what the FUCK is going on?���
���Harper got a text, and she was worried enough to talk me about it while we were talking another came through. He reordered everything and somehow sent it. Emma he���s in danger ��� they all are,��� Tessa���s voice shook.
���I���m three minutes from home, in a cab; you need to call Clive the police, DAMN IT!��� Emma yelled.
���You can’t just barge in there Emma, she has a gun,��� Tessa was starting to panic.
���So do I. Tessa, if something happens to me, take care of them for me please,��� Emma said quietly.
���You can’t just go in without back up������ Tessa began.
���What choice do I have? This ends tonight Tessa. Come for dinner tomorrow?��� Emma joked.
���Lots of fucking drinks,��� Tessa tried to joke.
���Yep I agree,��� Emma said softly, ���Tessa I���m here, talk to you soon?���
���As soon as you can, Emma the police are on their way,��� Tessa said, ���I can tell you to wait, but I know I wouldn���t be able to.���
Emma hung up and took a deep breath.
She handed the cab driver money.
���Here?��� he asked confused looking around.
���Yes, thank you,��� Emma jumped out and ran through the woods toward the tunnel entrance.
* * *
���You won’t get away with this,��� Maddox whispered.
���I will, because my little cutter nephew is going to kill himself. Unable to deal with all the stress, such a tragedy,��� Rebecca said in mock sadness.
���I lived fifteen years of hell. Do you truly think anyone would buy that?��� Maddox laughed.
���You want to protect all those people upstairs, don���t you? Your life for theirs, Maddox. A very noble end ��� wouldn���t you say?��� Rebecca rounded the counter.
���You���ll leave them alone?��� Maddox asked.
Rebecca stopped and looked at him curiously, ���If you agree to this, then yes.���
���Then we need to make it look good right?��� Maddox asked buying time trying to configure a plan.
���Yes, plan is you die ��� they don���t,��� Rebecca stepped towards him.
���Do you think I actually trust your word? Rebecca do you know why my father was arrested this evening?��� Maddox laughed at her.
���Devine intervention,��� Rebecca lunged at him, and he thrust the knife at her, ���Not a fighter, that���s a shame.���
Maddox ran towards the door and outside.
���Stop or I blow your ass away and go upstairs and finish the others off Maddox!��� Rebecca screamed.
Maddox stopped and turned to her, ���Embezzlement Rebecca! When they figure it out, your finger prints will be all over it!���
���Oh Maddox ��� I���m much smarter than you give me credit for,��� Rebecca laughed.
���So am I,��� Maddox yelled.
���No one can hear you out here Maddox,��� Rebecca sneered.
���Not true,��� Maddox looked up and saw Emma holding a gun behind Rebecca.
Rebecca turned towards her voice and pointed the gun at Emma, ���Then you first.���
Maddox dove on Rebecca and shoved the knife into her shoulder. Rebecca yelled out in pain and turned and shot at him.
Emma watched as Maddox fell to the ground, ���NO!���
Emma ran towards Maddox and grabbed his head, ���Oh, God NO!���
She heard a click and looked up, and Rebecca sat up and pointed the gun at her holding her wounded arm with the other as she shook in pain, ���You stupid bitch.���
Emma pointed her gun and shot Rebecca repeatedly until her gun was empty.
Henry ran out of the house towards Emma.
���Call an ambulance!��� Emma cried as she held Maddox in her arms rocking him back and forth.
Clive drove onto the lawn and jumped out of the car and screamed at Emma, ���Don���t you EVER take off again like that!���
Maddox looked up at Emma, ���Is she gone?���
���God I hope so,��� she rocked him and hugged him.
���Are you okay?��� He asked softly.
���I am, and you���re going to be fine to Maddox,��� Emma cried.
Henry stood next to her and watched her shaking.
���She messed with the security system. Are the girls okay? ��� Maddox asked sadly.
���Yes Maddox, because of you they are. Please beautiful boy save your strength. We���re going to have a long night,��� Emma kissed his head.
���Double O Mom,��� he smiled and closed his eyes.
���Clive fix it! Dad, tell me where the girls are,��� Emma demanded.
���On it,��� Clive ran into the house Henry behind him.
Emma watched as the police ran from their cars, their guns in hand.
���Is Banks with you?��� Emma screamed.
���No ma���am, we received a call and a voice recording, he is in custody,��� he squatted next to Emma, ���Let me check him out ma���am.���
���Is she dead?��� Emma snapped.
���Yes ma���am,��� he looked at her.
���Her gun is under her, she shot him,��� Emma���s voi
ce began to shake, ���Mine is here.���
The officer smiled at her, ���You’re going to be okay, Emma.���
���How can you say that? How will we ever be okay?��� Emma cried softly.
���This young man unraveled this entire case. You just killed the woman behind it all. You���re safe,��� he rubbed her shoulder.
The paramedics loaded Maddox on the stretcher and Emma held his hand.
���Your girls and mother slept through all of it Emma,��� Henry kissed her cheek.
���I���m going with him,��� Emma smiled, ���Keep them safe Daddy. Clive is the security system back online?���
���Maddox, be strong,��� Henry���s face tensed up as he turned and walked away.
���The outside is, I just have to replace a few wires,��� Clive looked apologetically at her.
���Stay here with them. Can you try to clean this mess up, hose down the yard? I don���t want them to see,��� Emma shook.
���I should go with you,��� Clive scowled.
���No, I need you to stay here,��� Emma insisted as she climbed in the ambulance.
Henry put his hand on Clive���s shoulder stopping him from following her, ���Did you see Rebecca?���
Clive nodded his head yes.
���Then I would not mess with my girl,��� Henry smiled at Clive, ���Let���s clean this up.���
* * *
Emma walked into the hospital, never letting go of Maddox���s hand, she turned to the officer at the desk, ���Get my husband NOW!���
���Ma���am he���s in police custody������
���I fucking said now you untrustworthy, incapable, fucking idiots!��� Emma screamed.
Maddox laughed and opened his eyes.
���That was not right of me to say Maddox. I���m sorry,��� Emma kissed his head as they walked down the hallway towards the elevators.
���Mr. Hines, get back in there, or I will cuff you,��� the officer warned.
