by Hilary Storm
"What am I looking at?"
"Someone pretending to be Lilly. She was Freebird. He called her that. He even has a tattoo about it."
"Where is the envelope it came in?" I hand him it to him from my other hand.
"No address."
"The ultrasound pic has been cropped too. I can't see any information on this that gives me a clue as to who did this. So Luke left when he saw this letter?"
"No, the phone rang and he kept saying 'Lilly'. He looked horrible, then he left. He barged out of here and drove off like a bat out of hell."
"Which phone?"
"His house phone." He turns from me and starts dialing his cell phone.
"I need records ASAP on a land line that I'm about to call you from. Please call me immediately when you can tell me the last number to call here." He hangs up and is all business now. So different than I've seen him the past few days. He's like he was at Luke's fight. Protector mode.
"You're coming home with me. You can stay with Lyndsey while I try to find Luke."
"No. I'm going with you." His eyes meet mine quickly and I stand strong with my challenging look.
"You damn women are all so fucking bull headed." He starts to walk out of the house as he continues to talk. "You make shit harder when I have to worry about you too, but no one fucking cares about that."
"Holden, look. Luke needs me. I'm going with you."
"Fine. Get in. It's a damn good thing I put a GPS on his phone. I just hope to fuck he hasn't pulled any bullshit like he did before."
Chapter Ten
Luke
It was Lilly. Her cries ripped my insides out. I know it was her. It seems crazy, but I know it was.
Freebird is something three people in this world know about. Kimber, Lilly and myself. She said 'freebird'. She said fucking freebird and I knew it was her. She's alive and someone is hurting her. I have no fucking idea where she is, but I'm going to the one person who she would contact other than me. I'll know if she knows anything.
I pull into Lilly's mom's driveway and notice there are not any lights on. It is late, but this shit can't wait ‘til morning. I need to know what in the fuck is going on.
I beat on the door until a light comes on. She struggles with the deadbolt and I wait as impatiently as I possibly can. My heart is racing so fast that I feel like I'm running a marathon right now.
"Have you talked to her?" I push open the door and walk in without an invitation.
"Luke, what are you doing?"
"Don't hide anything from me. I need to know if she's contacted you." She walks slowly away from me and turns on the light to the kitchen. She starts to fill the coffee pot and I try to rein in my urge to shake the information from her frail body.
"I need to know now." My voice echoes loudly in the simple kitchen.
"She's alive. I've heard from her twice." I fall to my knees with her words. Tears flood my eyes. How is this even possible?
"How? I... I saw her body. I watched her die." I poured my heart out to her dead body lying in a casket. How can she be alive? My Lilly would never do anything like this.
"She had to, Luke. I'm not supposed to talk about it. Her safety is in danger if I do."
"Her safety is in danger now. She called me tonight crying." I'm so fucking pissed that I threw my phone in the river all those months ago. What if she's been trying to reach me all along?
"Luke, I can't tell you anything. I don't know where she is."
"Tell me everything you know."
"She left a message for me one day when I was at church. She knew I'd be gone then, and that's when she decided to call. She said, 'I miss you Mom' and that's all I got. Broke me down bad. I thought I was losing my mind. I sent it to the cops and they said it came from a payphone in Montana."
What the fuck is in Montana? "Why Montana?"
"Not sure. The next time I heard from her was in a letter. She asked me to burn it after I read it, so I did."
"Do you remember what it said?"
"She said she had to do this to keep us safe. Said she missed me and would be in touch if she ever could. Then asked me to burn the note and not share it with anyone, including the police." I stand and try to take all of this in. If I wasn't numb from shock, I'd probably yell from the anger building up inside.
"Who would she run from?"
"I don't know, Luke. The only person I knew with those kinds of resources was her father and he's been gone for years. He didn't even know she existed before he left, so I can't imagine it being him." There's a knock at the door and I open it to find Holden and Kimber standing there, looking as scared as I feel.
How do I tell Kimber that Lilly is alive? I can't even process the information myself.
"Luke. What's going on?" Holden steps inside and I look away from both of them. I'm not ready to face the questions.
"Luke, please don't shut us out. Don't run from what's bothering you. Let us help you." Her words echo in my heart and I fight running out the door and leaving all of this behind to find Lilly. To tear up every single fucking house in this world until I find her. The problem is, I don't even know where to start.
"You need to see this." Holden hands me a piece of paper with fold marks. I look at the bottom to see who it's from and then close my eyes, using my thumb and index finger to wipe my tears. I can't take much more of this shit. I can't handle knowing I haven't been there for her when she needed me most.
"When did this come?"
"It was in your box of mail." Fuck.
I look at her words and try to comprehend what she's telling me.
Luke,
I can't keep this from you any longer. I love you and miss you every single minute of every day. Please know I had to do it to protect you and my family. I would never put you in danger and I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me.
I stop reading and try to take it all in again, slowly rereading her apology for ripping my fucking heart out. What in the hell could be worth all the pain I've been in?
You deserve to know about him. He's the love of my life. I hope one day I can let you meet him, but until then just know you'll always have a special place in my heart.
I'm sending you his very first picture. I've placed kisses on it with tears in my eyes just thinking of how hurt you'll be to read this, but I know I just can't keep him from you. He'll have your last name and I promise to tell him that he was conceived in love and that his father is the best man I've ever known.
I Love you forever and always,
Your Freebird
I have a son. Just when I thought the sharp pains couldn't get any worse, my heart explodes with anger. How could she do this? I have a son. I'm going to be a father.
My mind shifts to the sound of her cries on the phone tonight. I walk outside because I can't breathe as the pain of it all consumes me. The hurt is compounding and taking over every emotion I have. How? Why? Where?
I sit on the front steps and try to grasp any ounce of reality that my heart can hold on to. I'm going to be a father. The woman I've been grieving over for months is not gone, but she's in danger. And I have no idea how to find her. How am I not going to lose my fucking shit? Trying to remain calm is not working.
Reading the letter again, I look for any clues as to why she's done this. Where is she? I toss the letter beside me on the porch in frustration when I realize there's not a fucking thing on that letter that gives me any answers.
Kimber walks out and sits beside me. Her soft exhale reminds me of everything I've promised her and I can't help but feel like an asshole for planning to bail on her to find Lilly, but it's what I have to do.
"She's out there, isn't she?" I lean my head against my hand and battle with the words she needs. Giving up on any chance of a great response, I answer simple.
"Yes." I could barely get that small word out over the lump in my throat.
"Well then, you have to go find her."
"I know."
"I'll help you in any way I can. Just l
et me."
Kimber
I'm dying inside for him. This is a nightmare and I can't even imagine how he feels. He deserves to find peace with this and just when he was starting to make progress, all of this unfolds.
I hope this is really her for his sake. It's been no secret in our relationship how important she is. Not that I want to let him go, but I would in a second if it would bring him happiness.
Holden steps onto the porch behind us. "The number came from Montana. I have the address."
Luke stands quickly and I follow. I know this means we're going to Montana. I'm game for anything.
"Cowboy is stuck on another assignment, so I can grab two of our new guys and we can leave as soon as I can secure the flight. I'll pull some more strings and we'll use the private jet from yesterday."
"You pulled the phone number from my house?" Luke is still in shock and the realization that he may be going to Lilly is hitting him.
"Yes. This is what I do, Luke. It was easy. She's been calling for a few weeks pretty solid, so I don't want to take any chances of waiting. We need to leave now. What are the chances you'll let me and my guys handle this?"
"Fucking zero and you know this."
"You're emotional and that makes you a hazard to the entire operation. We're not even sure what we're up against."
"I'll stand back, but I want to at least be in the same fucking state. There's no way you're keeping me here in Missouri, so get over it old man."
"Alright, alright. I already knew this, but I thought I'd at least try."
I catch Luke looking at the sonogram picture. The look of total terror flashes and he folds up the letter, carefully putting it along with the picture in the back pocket of his jeans.
He's pacing and I follow his lead, pacing in a different direction. I have so many mixed emotions, I'm having a hard time not bursting into tears.
Chapter Eleven
Lilly
I hear the sound of footsteps in the street behind me. I hold my stomach and pray. Please don't let him find me. I should've known the authorities couldn't keep me safe. If he wants to find me, he will. He has connections beyond my comprehension and I don't dare challenge him.
His words aren't threats, they're promises.
The sound of the footsteps begins to fade and I feel an ounce of relief as I let out the deep breath I've been holding.
He killed the officer that was staying with me in cold blood. I heard the gunshot and rushed to the monitor, seeing the hole in the middle of his forehead before I ran. He wants me. He can't have me until I make sure this baby is safe. That can't happen until my due date, which isn't for at least six weeks.
I tried to call Luke tonight, but as soon as he picked up the phone, I could see him walking toward me on the street. It's hard to find a payphone anymore, but I had to run. I'm in a tiny town and the locals will tell him if they've seen me. I need to get the hell out of here.
I could go to the police, but I know it won’t help. He'd have me within an hour. I need to find a phone and try to reach Luke again. I swore I'd never put them in danger, but I need his help to get the baby to safety.
My hand slides over my heart and I feel the scar from the last time I was with Luke. My heart aches for him and what I'm about to put him through, but I'm left with no option.
I look for a car that I can take. I'm desperate. I see an old Ford truck and decide to attempt the chance that the owner left it unlocked. Walking with the eerie feeling that I'm being watched, I look everywhere for any sign that he's here. I start to run to get to the truck faster and sling the door open as soon as I approach it. The keys are in it and I fumble around until I've got the truck started and in gear. Speeding off like I'm on fire, I race out of town, watching my rear view mirror the whole time. Headlights get closer the further out of town I get. I know it's him.
Refusing to give up, I floor this gas pedal and only gain about five miles per hour. The lights get so close, I feel like they're going to hit the back end of the truck, but they never do.
He just follows very close, letting me know he's here. My heart is one constant beat and I'm so fucking terrified. He can't have me until this baby is safe.
Luke
This flight is taking forever and I can't stand having to sit still. I need to release my energy and I have no outlet. I'd take fighting someone right now. I'll even do it to the death. I just need to see her. I need to know she's really alive and that she's safe.
Kimber is sitting quietly beside me and Holden is working his connections, trying to find out some information.
"She's been in protective custody. The officer in charge of her case was killed this morning in the house she was living in. They haven't been able to locate her since." I grab my forehead and yell in frustration.
"How in the fuck has this happened?" How did we not know anything about this shit? Who the fuck is she hiding from?"
"Her father."
"What does he want with her?"
"Apparently, she's inherited a very large amount of money from her grandparents."
"I didn't even know she had grandparents that were alive."
"It's her father's parents. She was the only one listed in the will and he's pissed off. He runs a drug cartel and shit has not gone his way. He's in desperate need of the money." I stand. I don't care if I'm in an airplane. I need to fucking move.
"When she went to the hospital for the accident, the authorities entered her name and she had been put on the list that day to be brought in for protection. There had been information released that showed she was in danger. They helped her fake her death, hoping he'd be tricked into leaving her alone."
"Well, where is he now?"
"He was the shooter in the house."
"FUCKKK. Can we please hurry the fuck up?"
"Luke. They're getting us there as fast as they can. I already have allies working to find her. I will pull out all fucking stops to get to her before he does. Remember, she's fucking strong minded and won't just let him take her."
"That's what I'm worried about. She's carrying my baby."
"I know."
"You mean to tell me she did all of this for money?"
"It looks that way."
"I can't fucking believe this. She didn't need any god damned money."
"It doesn't make sense. I'm sorry I didn't look into anything sooner. I had no reason to question things. Shit, if I hadn't started this business we'd be fucked right now. My connections have made all of this information possible."
"I'm trying to be thankful, but right now I don't feel grateful for anything. How can I even take a breath until I know she's safe?"
"Get focused, so you can help her. Put your mind in a place that you can be helpful to me if I need you. This may be one hell of a battle and I can't be worried about you when I'm going against the worst criminal I've ever attempted."
"What happened to the money?"
"There was a clause in the will that if she died, the money became frozen into the estate for seventy years."
"How the fuck do you know all of this in such a short time?"
"I talked to the head of the group protecting her. It's their job to know every detail about her case. He only shared with me because Cowboy's father pulled a favor."
"How much money are we talking?"
"The grandparents owned a diamond mine. The amount of money we are talking about is absurd. They've written off their only son and refused to let him have any of it. It's been heavily protected and Lilly is his only chance at this money. He needs her alive to get it. That's one good thing for us to hold on to."
"But he won’t want the baby in the picture."
"Right."
"FUCKKKK. I need off this plane. NOW."
"We're approaching for landing now. It'll be just a few minutes, but Luke. We don't have a location on her. She's somewhere in this tiny fucking town in the middle of Montana."
"It can't be too hard to locate a tattooed rocker then."
"She's changed her look. They're sending me a current photo of her now. I'll show you as soon as it comes through." How can she be different? She's Lilly. The way she looked made her who she is.
I sit back down and try to gather the insanity inside me. I'm all over the fucking place and it doesn't help that I'm trying to compose myself in front of Kimber. This is not fair to her, but I can't help that I need to go find Lilly. There's no question that this is what I need to be doing. I'm just glad Kimber agreed.
We're immediately escorted to a makeshift headquarters in a room at the local police station. I can tell by the amount of badges in this room that this is a big case for them. It helps me to know they all want her father in custody and maybe with so many divisions searching, we'll find him.
We've been told they're going to show film of Lilly soon. I'm trying to prepare myself for this, but I don't think there's anything in the world that can.
The projector comes on and I see her. Her hair is dark brown and long. Her walk is the same. A few minutes pass before she walks directly in front of the camera, allowing an up close shot of her. My skin crawls with goose bumps. She's alive.
Her stomach is huge and I melt when I see her walking with her hand on it. I should be enjoying this with her. This should be a time for us to be happy and preparing to bring a new life into this world, instead I'm trying to figure out how to save two.
"This is the last footage we have of her. She is seen leaving the house out a back window after her father shot our officer." One of the captains is going over everything like it's some sort of routine case.
"We have officers landing in the next few hours to put more eyes in the field. I'll need everyone to cooperate and send all leads through the proper chain of command. He's considered dangerous and should not be approached without backup. This is a matter of national interest that he's apprehended so we can use him to take down countless drug organizations bringing illegal substances into our borders. And lastly, I need Alex Kroker alive. He also goes by Joseph Stone, so familiarize yourself with his pictures before you leave."
