by Leaona Luxx
“Hadlea? Are you all right? Are you taking care of yourself?”
Searching his eyes, I have no clue what I’m looking for. Malone’s arms are around me, pulling me close and just before our lips meet, I do the unthinkable.
“I need you to leave. You’re going to upset the kids, and I can’t allow it, do you understand? I’m asking you to leave.” Thinking I delivered an unquestionable response, he calls me on it, I falter.
“Do you really mean that? Do you really mean to say, you don’t want me? That you don’t love me?”
Closing my eyes to keep from seeing the hurt in his. To stop him from seeing the devastation in mine. My spine grows ridged, and Malone loosens his grip just enough to allow me to pull away, shaking my head as I do. Still, I hold my eyes closed.
“One. It’s not like you think. I need you to go. I really need you to leave. We can’t. I can’t. Not, now.” Stepping away, I begin hearing what was once a fracture becoming an unrepairable fissure. I don’t believe my heart can stand another minute in his presence, so I deliver the final blow.
“I’m taking the twins to see Cole tomorrow. It’s for the best, what’s right.” Turning as I say it, I try to escape everything.
Praying for a quick retreat, though I’m not spared. Malone’s hands are on me again. Spinning me into him, I do the only thing any woman would, I inhale all that is Malone Woods, allowing his love to cover all of my sins. To make me whole.
Weak and disoriented, I stand there, waiting for his light to chase away the darkness. To fill my emptiness with love and right. Honor. Knowing, before he leaves, we will both be broken. Settling in, I have no doubt this man owns me. Everything.
Instead of embracing him, I run. “I need you to leave, Malone. Now.” Tearing myself away to bolt through the door, I slam it shut without looking back. Knowing I left my heart with him, hoping he knows.
“Mom. Please, tell us you did not leave him out there. Go get him,” Lath demands. Spinning quickly, I pin him with a look that leaves no room for interruption.
“I will not. It will endanger all of us, especially him. Someone wants him dead, at their hands or by his own. I will protect him at all costs. And yes, if that means I lose the only man that has ever loved me, I will do whatever it takes. I will walk away. Even if it destroys me or us.”
Before anyone can stop me, I’m out the back door and running full tilt to the beach. Consumed. My soul is burnt to the ground as I hit the sand, falling to my knees weeping.
CHAPTER THIRTY
One
There’s no going back, no moving forward. Hadlea’s walked away from me for the final time. I’m done. She’s broken everything good in me. Anything that could’ve been salvaged no longer can be. Struggling to catch my breath, regret and heartache are all I have left.
On autopilot, I refuse all calls as I trudge out on the beach. Watching the sun rise, I realize I’ve been out here for hours. As new day dawn, I watch the sky and ocean meet in the distance. As pink and red streaks the sky, the ocean is restless. I am, too. Where do I go from here?
There are several site visits today. The state has been to every site I’m running twice, looking for errors on my part, finding nothing each and every time. How I hope this will be over soon. Between the site and Hadlea, I need to get away. Knowing my family will want to tag along or at the least, send someone, I make plans to go to the mountains for the weekend.
I recently had my father’s cabin, in the Asheville area, readied so I could give Hadlea a weekend getaway. After my last meeting, I hit the road. The bag I’d thrown in the back this morning was sparsely packed, but it’s enough. Alcohol and a weekend of drowning my sorrows is what my soul needs.
Winding mountain roads serve as a reminder of how my stomach is twisted with emotions of love unrequited. After all we have been through, every obstacle and heartache, Hadlea and I just can’t make it work.
Remembering our last embrace. I felt her love. Her eyes spoke volumes to me. I should’ve kissed her. Kissed her until she relented, loved her until she gave in. I should’ve never left the hospital; I should have fought.
Turning down the dirt road, I see a light in the distance. I don’t remember asking for the light to be left on. Hell, I’m not even sure if I’ve taken the right road. Fuck. Why didn’t I get better directions?
Taking the steps two at a time, I look for signs of life or indicators of where I am. A quick rap on the door nets no results. Deciding to have a closer look, I try the windows, looking to see if anyone or anything exists. Nothing.
There is nothing around, no cars or people. I try the door. It’s open, so I crane my neck around the opening to get a better look. What I find startles me, I fall back against the door.
“What the fuck? How did you get here? Why are you here?” Stunned into silence as a 9mm is shoved in my face. My thoughts aren’t on whether I’ll survive but with Hadlea, hoping she will.
“Well, hello One. It’s good to see you.”
Lea
Jolted awake, I sit straight up in bed, reaching for my phone. I hit speed dial, praying he picks up. There’s no answer. I hit the floor running.
Malone was here, by my side. Telling me he loves. Telling me he’ll always love us. To not give up but to hold tight to his love forever. I can still smell his scent, clean and woodsy. Malone’s in trouble. I know it, so does my heart.
I put the twins in their seats and set out. Once at the complex, I know without a doubt this is bad. I have one thing left to do. I hit the buzzer as I glance at the dash clock, two a.m. Fuck. Oh, well. I hear the buzz; they’ve seen me in the camera. As I reach for my door, Cal is standing at their front door.
“Lea? What’s wrong? Are the children all right?”
Unbuckling Wren from his seat, I turn to go around the car for Harlyn, but Cal is there.
“I’ve got her; get inside and tell us what’s going on.”
Elise stands at the door. I’m in business mode. “I’ve called Kipton and Smith. We need to call everyone. He’s gone. Malone’s in trouble, and I can’t find him.”
Cal and Elise exchange glances before Cal devastates me, although I deserve it. “Lea, did you ever think he might not want to hear from you?”
Stopping me, I glare at him. “I have never once not wanted to speak to him. I love this man with all of my being. Having to turn him away was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but it was needed. If you don’t believe me, that’s fine. Malone needs me, and I will not let him down.”
Taking Harlyn from Elise broke my heart but I know I need to prove myself. Moreover, I need to prove my love. I’m out the gate before anyone can stop me and on my way to Hawk. Willow shoots Lath and Aksel a message to give them the heads up.
Within thirty minutes, my family is by my side when my private investigator, Kipton, walks through the door.
“All traces are void, a dead end. He’s vanished. Smith should be here in ten, and I believe the Hamilton’s are on their way.”
My questions come rapid fire. “Why? Thought One didn’t want to speak to me, so why would they? Why would they even want to be here? Why even show up? They think Malone doesn’t love me or that I don’t love him.”
Tears threaten as reality hits me, Malone may not want to hear from me or even see me. Thankfully, the twins begin to fuss before my tears fall, allowing me to escape the scrutiny. As I change the twins, I listen as the room grows with energy as more people arrive. Everyone wanting to find Malone. Laying the twins back down, I walk through to the kitchen for bottles.
“Lea, I’m sorry. We should have listened.” Elise stands in the door of the kitchen.
“It’s fine. I need to prove myself to you but most importantly to him.”
Giving her a reassuring smile, I take the twins their formula. Feeding Wren and Harlyn gives me the opportunity to listen to the avalanche of information coming from the living room.
Suddenly, I’m overwhelmed by how much Wren and Harlyn look like Malone. How d
id we ever doubt he was their father? Standing there in deep thought, a feeling of dread washes over me thinking of the hospital test results. Why was there another test done? Why would Montgomery have them? In a haze of anxiety and thought, I wander to the living room.
“Has anyone questioned Montgomery?” Chord asks the question; I answer it in my own thoughts. No, there’s no need. This is not Montgomery, its Delaney. Delaney’s done all of this.
“There’s no reason to because this, all that’s happened, is because of Delaney. Nurse Delaney. Have you found anything on her, Kipton?” Turning to him as everyone watches me, Kipton shakes his head, so I go on.
“Montgomery may be jealous but she is no mastermind, I’m sure we can all agree. At the hospital, Delaney told me Monty had given Malone the paternity results. How would she get them? Why would she have them? Delaney hasn’t called me in three days. Who is Delaney anyway? No one, Kipton nor Smith have any information on her or where she comes from. It’s Delaney. Montgomery should be able to confirm Delaney’s behind most of her actions. Take her in for questioning, I’m sure she’ll confirm its Delaney.” Nodding at Smith.
“Now, who in the hell is Delaney and where has she taken Malone?” The room that once was abuzz has now gone quiet.
“Are you sure, Lea?” Cal asks from across the room where he sits behind a computer.
“I’m positive. Delaney came out of now where. She’s never been a fan of Malone’s. She’s been somewhere in the picture, each and every time. I’ve never told this, my incident in the parking garage? Delaney was there, and I’ve always felt she was the one who trashed my car. She was there when I exited the elevator. I knew this whole time how she felt about him but always made an excuse for her. I pray it doesn’t cost me Malone.”
Once again, the room is alive with activity. An hour later we are no closer to finding Malone. I’m exhausted. “I’m going to the grocery store to pick up Wren and Harlyn some diapers, anyone need anything?” Looking around the room for orders.
“Would you like company?” Lath asks as I walk to the door.
“No. I need to do this alone, but thanks. I have my phone.” Driving out of The Cove, I’m lost in thoughts of Malone. I can’t believe how fucked up this situation has turned out. How could love go so wrong? How could I live to repeat the past in such an epic manner?
Sitting at a stop light, I see a couple with their young children. My heart aches for Malone, for our family. We have so many plans. Renovation of our little cottage, teaching me to drive a stick shift, a beach wedding, a trip to Raleigh to see his home, a trip to the mountains to the cabin his father built for them, yet he’d never seen it.
The night of our first dinner, we talked for hours, and he told me he would love for us to go to the mountains this fall. A little later, he explained it was getting a few renovations to prepare for our trip. Our trip that may never happen. The trip should have been, what? Last week? This week? What day is it?
Reaching for my phone, I see the date then realize this was supposed to be the weekend getaway. Is that what the other day was really about? Was he hoping I would have a change of heart and remember that we were going to the mountains this weekend?
“Malone. Please tell me. Are you there, baby? Do you need me?”
Before I can think another thing, I run the red light and hit Hwy 17. After an hour my phone alerts me to a text: Aksel. Pulling over for gas, I send a text asking him to stay with his siblings and to not tell anyone anything except I’m okay. No need for the cavalry. Besides, if Malone is in trouble, I’m taking any chances on someone fucking it up.
Music, along with memories, fill the void as I drive the three hundred miles to the mountains. As the sandy marsh and palm trees give way to the rolling hills and thicket of greens, reds, and golds, the fresh air reminds me of Malone.
His thick, wavy dark hair with his piercing blue eyes, swim like the ocean with emotions, making my soul weep for him. I feel his absence in my bones. Would I have ever known love if it were not for Malone? Will we ever trust one another enough to love the way we should? The way we can.
I need for him to understand, sending him away was my only choice. Did I push him away because it was easier? I did, I pushed him away because loving him was so much more than I thought I could handle. This entire time, I kept waiting for Malone to run, but I was the one who bolted. Malone was absolutely right. I wouldn’t allow him to love me; I didn’t know how to do it. To let someone love me.
Night has fallen, and the dark mountain roads remind me of home. Where no street lights exist, signs marking property are absent. Probably used for target practice, just like home. No cellular service.
How the hell am I going to find this place? Stopping beside the road, I search for the time, it’s two in the morning. Twenty-four hours after knowing in my gut, Malone needed me, I still haven’t found him.
Please God, I know I’m unworthy, but I promise to love this gift for the rest of my life if you can just get me there. Resting my head on the steering wheel, a song on the radio helps to jog my memory.
Malone, mapping out our trip, sharing the location of the cabin. It was in a file I had with wedding ideas in it on my laptop at home. Without hesitation, I hit the button for in-car service and ask to dial home.
“Mom? Are you okay? Did you find him?”
Before Aksel can continue, I interrupt quickly. “No, but I’m close. I need a file from my laptop sent to my phone. It’s under ‘White wedding” and no laughing. Password, AHLH714. All caps.” The computer whirls in the background. After a few minutes, he gives me the all clear.
“There you go. Now what?”
Just as I try to pull it up, it dawns on me. “Wait. No. Damnit, there’s no cellular service. I’m on the satellite in car service. Griffin’s cabin. We were going to have a getaway; it was this weekend. I’m sure he’s here.” I pound my head on the steering wheel again.
“Em, I need your help,” I hear him ask a heartbeat later.
“What can I do?” Aksel fills her in, then we’re back on track.
“I’m giving you driving instructions now. You will come to an old wooden bridge on the left side of the road once you’ve driven about five miles out of town.” I step on the gas, turning the wheel to the left, spinning the SUV around in the middle of the road.
“It’s about a mile back, I’ve turned around. What’s next?” Slowing down when I’ve drove three-fourths of the mile.
“Next marker?” Keys click as papers ruffle. I ready for the next description.
“Cross the bridge and hang a right.”
It’s really dark, so making the turn, which is surrounded by underbrush, is pretty difficult. Bearing right at the turn put me on a dirt road. I shut off the headlights, slowing to a crawl.
“I’m there.” Aksel and Em seem to be at odds trying to decipher the rest of the instructions.
“Mom, it’s as if you should be near it. There’s a pond beside it. Do you see any light or water?”
As he says it, a silhouette appears against the night sky. There’s a light just ahead on the right but no sign of anything else. No cars. No outside light. Just a dim sign that something or someone is here.
Coming to stop in the drive, I decide to pull over to the edge of the road, ditching my car but not before giving the kids instructions to call the local police in fifteen minutes. That should give me time to see if anyone is here.
Never have I been more proud and pleased to be a country girl. Learning to track and hunt early in life taught me many things, including how to be patient and quiet. Sitting in the shadows, I wait with baited breath, hoping to see movement. Nothing. I edge closer to give myself a better vantage point.
There. In the front left window, a moving curtain. Not a breeze, a flutter of movement. Someone’s there. Too small for Malone, it’s a woman.
Shit.
What if he’s with a woman? A woman he’s slept with. Montgomery? As if on cue, Delaney walks outside to the wood
stacked at the corner of the house, taking a bundle. She’s out in the open for all of two seconds.
Walking through the thicket around the cabin makes me antsy. Dried sticks, twigs, and weeds make for a noisy sneak attack. Seeing my chance, I hurry to the side of the cabin and peek through the window. Gasping aloud as I see Malone, tied to a chair with blood pooling on the floor around him.
My biggest mistake to date. Hearing the click of the revolver before Delaney, makes my blood run cold.
“Tsk, tsk. Never could leave him alone could you, Lea? Now, get the fuck in the house.” Delaney says, as the barrel of the revolver rams in my side. With no choice but to concede, I lift my hands to acquiesce.
Rounding the corner of the door, Malone comes into full view. He’s a mess, and he’s lost a lot of blood. I’m going to kill this fucking bitch.
“What the fuck? Are you trying to kill him? You fucking cunt, he needs a doctor. Do you really think you can just shoot him and not be caught?” Seething in Delaney’s direction as I try to slow Malone’s bleeding. Finding no exit wound, I know time is of the essence.
“That’s exactly what I’m doing. Not my fault he shot himself while hunting,” Delaney says as she cackles from across the room.
Malone’s head hangs, and I’m not really sure he’s even conscious. There’s a bottle of water on the table, and when I reach for it, she draws on me.
“I don’t think so, Lea.”
Clenching my jaw, I stare her down and grab the bottle. “Then fucking shoot, bitch.” The sound makes my ears ring. I throw myself around Malone to protect him from further harm. Delaney continues to laugh as I right myself and glare at her.
“Not so smug now, huh bitch?”
Taking a few deep breaths, I continue my work on Malone. I just need to see his wound clearly. He moans, as his eyes flutter open.
“Hadlea? Baby? Don’t. Go. Leave me.” His head bobs.
“See. He still doesn’t want you. Why are you here?”
Malone’s lost consciousness. Venom fills my mouth; all I can think is ‘finish this’ so I do.
