‘Lexi.’
I heard the voice piercing through my subconscious and quickly turned to face the lawyer again. ‘Can you please explain what happened next?’
This was the part I had been dreading.
‘She wanted them to tell her who we were and they could not figure it out. She was getting so angry and my sister started to wake up. One of the men had hit her with a bottle and she was knocked unconscious. As she was awakening, she called out my name and they injected her with something. She went completely quiet and Larissa told the men to take her outside and dump her. They blindfolded and tied my hands, dragged me into the car and put me into the trunk.’ I paused to take a drink of water.
‘You are doing great, Lexi,’ the lawyer advised and I knew that was my cue to continue.
‘I was taken by car and when we stopped I heard them arguing. She opened the trunk and I screamed that I wanted to see my son. I heard her shout at someone saying they had taken the wrong one and she then hit me with something. The next time I woke up, she was ranting uncontrollably. She ordered one of the men to take me out into the woods. He started to dig my grave and I fought back, escaping. I ran out into the road and was hit by a car. When I woke up, I did not remember anything and I was told I had been there at the hospital for a month.
It was extremely difficult at first. I had to build strength to walk again and in time, my memories came back. She had shown me newspaper reports confirming all my family was dead and my father had committed suicide.’ Wiping the tears away I focused on the lawyer and hoped that was enough.
‘Thank you. No further questions, Your Honour,’ he confirmed, nodding at me.
I turned to the defence lawyer ready to be hung drawn and quartered.
‘I just have one question, Your Honour.’
I stared mouth open in utter confusion.
‘Miss Thomas, can you please confirm if you ever saw the defendant without a blindfold during the time you advise you were held?’ I looked at him and shook my head.
‘No, I never saw her face during that time.’ He smiled and sat down as the judge excused me. It was over, and I fled the courtroom as fast as I could.
‘You were amazing.’ Nicholi pulled me into his arms as I shook my head.
‘I did what he said. I gave them doubt she was working alone and then with that last question, whether it was even her at all. They will think I am just trying to get my revenge for her sleeping with my father,’ I yelled incoherently and despised the fact that I had given the defence the ammunition.
‘No, Lexi. She won’t be getting away with anything. The jury was horrified when you were explaining. She will not be going anywhere,’ he reassured and I wished I could believe him.
The court was in recess for lunch and Sophia was testifying next. I had originally said I would stay and support her, but I was so overwrought I just wanted to get out of there and never come back.
Nicholi had driven me home and I had gone to bed. I was feeling so guilty about not being there for Sophia I asked Nicholi if he would return to the courthouse on my behalf.
Taking a shower after he had gone, I finally managed to feel sleepy enough to get some rest. Not having slept for days properly. I was still asleep when Nicholi returned several hours later and awoke shortly after as I felt him lay down on the bed next to me.
Opening my eyes, I smiled and moved closer, wrapping my arms around him.
‘How did it go?’ I asked watching his expression change as his brow furrowed and he stared at the ceiling, clearly not knowing how to answer. ‘It was that bad?’ Sitting up and shaking my head. ‘I should have been there.’ Chastising myself for being so selfish.
‘It would not have made a difference, Lexi. Larissa’s lawyer picked up on the fact that Sophia waking up and calling your name was the reason they took you and not her. He was like a dog with a bone and used it to put her off. She was overwhelmed and understandably upset. He ploughed on with the fact that her memories were unclear and by the end, she was second-guessing herself.’
I lay on the bed; it was all my fault. I had done everything my father had warned against and now Sophia was used as bait.
‘I should call her.’ I sat up as Nicholi reached for my hand.
‘I think you should give her a little time. Cross said he was taking her to visit your grandparents with the twins for a few days so she will likely be on the plane now.’
I shook my head in despair, the tears breaching their holding pattern.
‘I ruined it, for us all.’ My eyes pleaded for forgiveness, as Nicholi pulled me closer. Wrapping his arms around me tightly.
‘You did great and I’m sure she will be found guilty.’
I pulled away.
‘I don’t care about that. I mean with Sophia, she will forever blame herself and it is all my fault.’ I cried as he lay down with me and held me in silence consoling me and soothing as much as he could, but it was hopeless.
‘I need to see her. We need to go to Colorado.’ Grabbing a suitcase and stuffing clothes into it. ‘JC will love to visit anyway and I want him close.’ Having dropped him off with Mia for the trial today, I was longing to have him in my arms and to get far away from here.
‘Okay, I will book the tickets.’ Nicholi grabbed his laptop and excused himself to make a call.
I quickly packed for JC and him throwing everything into the car, so anxious to see my sister and make things right.
We arrived at the airport, JC having fallen asleep during the flight was in Nicholi’s arms as I secured the hire car and started out on the route I had not taken for six years.
There were so many times when I almost contacted them, but I was terrified that they would be at risk from knowing I was alive, and that had kept me away all these years.
After discovering JC and Sophia were alive, I had waited to contact them again. Making excuse after excuse and realising now, it was just out of fear. Fear they would not understand. Fear they would look at me like my father had all those years and the guilt was eating me alive.
‘They are going to be overjoyed to see you.’ As though Nicholi was reading my mind and penetrating into the dark recess of my thoughts. A scary place for me, never mind anyone else.
‘I wish I could believe that but who doesn’t contact their only living family?’ The idea even now I could not fathom.
‘How about someone who has been through something so traumatic, they were terrorised and terrified.’ He shook his head at the mere thought as I focused on the road ahead in silence.
Pulling up into the driveway, I could see that Sophia and Cross had already arrived. The nerves filtered through at top speed, making me feel nauseous and lightheaded as I stepped out of the car.
Nicholi had JC still fast asleep in his arms and I knocked on the front door.
A face that I knew so well opened it and the smile that accompanied it had my frozen petrified heart defrosting instantly.
‘Lexi, my dear, it is such as blessing to see you,’ she gushed, moving closer to hug me as I leaned closer to Nicholi. ‘Come in, please.’
We walked in together, me permanently attached to Nicholi’s side, feeling like I was a complete stranger in a family home.
Sophia and Cross were sat on the sofa together with our grandfather and they stood up as we entered.
Nicholi handed JC to me and smiled reassuringly as I went to lay him down upstairs. So happy to be leaving the group, though desperate to be back at Nicholi’s side.
I had put JC in one of the guest rooms and was pacing whether to just stay up here or pull it together to go downstairs. Feeling emotionally exhausted after today, the thought of just curling up next to him and forgetting everything was extremely appealing.
‘Come here,’ Nicholi requested, his voice low and appealing in the darkened room as I wrapped my arms around him and wanted to just escape. Maybe this was too much too soon.
‘I wish we had just stayed at home.’ Feeling instantly guilty, but n
ot being able to control anything any longer.
‘I know, but you wanted to speak with Sophia and I think this is the right place for you now. With all your family together.’ He stroked my back as I reached to kiss him longingly.
‘Another excuse?’ he teased and I pouted, smiling for the first time that day. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I like this excuse, very much,’ his voice husky and sensual as I leaned against his chest listening to his heartbeat rise and fall.
‘Okay, let’s go.’ Holding his hand, I led him downstairs and to the family, I barely knew anymore, yet desired to repair so strongly. Smiling at Sophia, anxious to hug her, but not wanting to leave the safety of Nicholi’s hand I remained still.
‘Can I get you both some coffee?’ Grandma asked, politely and we both nodded in unison.
‘Come, sit down. You must be exhausted.’ Grandfather patted the sofa opposite Sophia and Cross.
‘Thank you.’ I sat next to Nicholi and looked at him with a help, I am drowning, expression.
‘You have such a lovely home.’ Nicholi kissed my hand reassuringly. My saviour as always.
We all made polite small talk about everything simple and easy.
My eyes kept wandering over to Sophia who would smile but looked as frail as I felt.
‘I’m sorry I was not there today, to support you,’ I began as she interrupted before I could finish.
‘I understand, and please don’t. You went through enough. I just want to move on from this if you can ever forgive me.’ Her voice pitched an octave higher as Cross put his arm around her and kissed her forehead to comfort her.
‘Forgive you? None of this is your fault, Sophia. There is nothing to forgive,’ I implored, desperate for her to see that.
She nodded weakly and I was just about to continue when Nicholi’s phone rang. It was the lawyer.
‘The verdict is in and they are going back into court now,’ he squeezed my hand, nodding.
Everyone suddenly waited with baited breath for more news.
‘Guilty, minimum term, ten years.’
I turned to Cross, knowing how traumatic this must be for him too. They were embracing and my phone went off with a text message. It was from my father and said that he hoped I was satisfied that the person who murdered his family would be free in ten years.
Nicholi grabbed the phone off me and I could hear muffled arguing as he stormed out of the house.
Moving closer to Sophia, I opened my arms to hug her. Wrapping our arms around each other felt like the old days and for a moment, I forgot everything that had happened and it was just us alone in her bedroom, Seth’s computer game pinging in the background as our mother called us for dinner.
‘We can move on now.’ I nodded as our tears mingled together. Nicholi returned shortly after and I did not have time to speak with him privately until everyone went to bed.
‘What happened to him?’ I asked, not wanting to acknowledge him as anything any longer.
‘He won’t be contacting you again. I’m so sorry that you had to see that message. It is beyond ridiculous and I hope you know that.’
I clung to him with every hope and dream for the future.
‘Nic, I just want to move forward with you and JC.’ We flopped onto the bed together and fell into a deep sleep completely exhausted.
The next morning smelling grandma’s cooking penetrating the room, I smiled and woke Nicholi kissing him all over as he slowly came around.
‘Good morning.’ He smiled that breathtaking smile and pulling me underneath him, he kissed me so passionately, we were both undone within minutes.
‘Breakfast?’ I dressed quickly and tried not to be utterly distracted as Nicholi climbed out of bed and sauntered to the bathroom looking completely gorgeous and breathtaking.
After devouring everything my grandmother put in front of us, we joined Sophia and Cross for a horse riding session and family picnic that my grandmother had packed for us.
Watching the twins attempt to crawl on the blanket that she had crocheted for us when we were babies brought tears to my eyes, but they were happy tears and watching JC playing Frisbee with Nicholi and Cross I hugged my sister close.
‘We are the two luckiest women alive.’
We lay on the blanket and stared up into the crystal clear turquoise sky. I felt at peace knowing Larissa would be locked up and my father was finally out of my life, leaving me blissful and in awe watching my family all together. Nothing could hurt us now.
TEN
SHOWER
Two months had passed since the trial and we had returned to Alaska for the summer school vacation. Nicholi had been able to work wirelessly and I had finished the last contract while JC was at school. We were enjoying spending one on one time with him.
Cross, Caitlan, and the twins would be arriving tonight and I had offered to plan and host her bridal shower so had been readily preparing the guesthouse for the friends she had invited to stay.
Putting the finishing touches on the one hundred cupcakes I had decorated and the floral arrangements for her themed, secret garden wedding, had kept me busier than ever, but with Nicholi and JC’s help, we were finally almost ready.
Surveying the garden, I was in awe of everything we had created. Nicholi had worked tirelessly following my every instruction to the letter. He had built archways that I had wrapped with ribbon and twined flowers around. The scent was overpowering as you walked through and it looked gorgeous.
Her tables had been set with place cards displaying text from the story and the centrepieces were a floral arrangement wrapped together with twine holding a golden key. Everything was perfect and as the seaplane was landing on the lake, Nicholi and I smiled in unison. We were ready.
‘No peeking, you have to come around this way, until tomorrow.’ Shielding Sophia from seeing her decorations until the morning when her ten guests would also be arriving.
The food had all been prepared with sandwiches, canapes, cupcakes and a chocolate key favour for each of the guests with chocolate covered rose petals in a handmade crystal edged silk handbag.
‘I am so excited, I cannot wait,’ Sophia gushed as I marvelled how big the twins had gotten. Daisy desperately trying to crawl and Alexa rolling all-round the room in a bid to get where she wanted to go.
We had a quiet dinner just the seven of us before the onslaught of guests tomorrow and chatted happily together about the mundane and normal things. After the last few months, it was utter bliss.
The day of Sophia’s shower had arrived and as the guests were being transported to the house in two groups, I was laying out the cupcake arrangement as Nicholi wrapped his arms around my waist.
‘Hey, I have to get this done,’ I scolded but secretly thrilled to be distracted and not have to critique my design for the millionth time. He laughed as I turned to kiss him and with a knock at the door, the first group were here.
I had hired servers who were handing out pink champagne and canapes and was making Sophia a floral corsage when a very pregnant woman appeared at my side completely taking me by surprise, and I could not help the twinge of envy that sliced through me.
‘Is there anything I can help with?’ she asked, positively glowing and I had to swallow my emotions away to crack out a response.
‘No, thank you. Help yourself to canapes and Sophia will be with us very soon.’ I tried to make my escape as quickly as possible. Almost bumping into another expectant mother in the foyer and a new mother who had a young infant strapped to her in a baby carrier, had me retreating to my room as fast as my legs could carry me.
Nicholi was just getting dressed as I entered and he turned round his smile quickly changing as he saw the expression on my face.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, stroking my cheek as I closed my eyes. How could I tell him I was jealous of two pregnant women in my home?
‘Just a headache. I’m fine.’ I reached to help him with his tie and tried to extinguish the feelings that were attempting to st
rangle me. He kissed my head as I snuggled into his arms and regretted opening my house to all these strangers. Feeling immensely guilty at the same time. This was Sophia’s day. I had to suck it up.
‘I had better go check Sophia is ready before the canapes run out.’ Pulling away as he reached for my hand.
‘You sure you’re okay?’ He frowned with concern and for the first time since we had been together, I lied, nodding.
‘Got to go, love you.’ I closed the door behind me hastily and walked across the hall to Sophia’s room.
‘Hey, guest of honour, how are you doing?’ I watched as she pulled her hair I had curled earlier into a roll casting loose tendrils around her face. ‘You look beautiful.’
I presented her with the corsage I had made for her and watched her eyes sparkle into the crystal topped roses.
‘Thank you so much. For this, for everything. This is the best day already.’ She wiped a stray tear from her cheek and I hugged her lovingly.
‘I’m honoured and so blessed to be able to do this for you. I hope it is everything you wished for.’ I wiped the tears that were rolling down my cheek and noticed she was glowing under the light that was penetrating through the lilac blinds. ‘Okay, I will see you downstairs,’ I whispered, pushing through the pain of the knowledge I had just discovered.
Taking a deep breath and putting on my game face, I waited with the other guests as Sophia joined us as everyone clapped and marvelled how radiant she was.
We had all eaten and the cupcakes had gone down a storm when it was time for gifts.
‘Wow, thanks.’ Sophia blushed as she opened the box of sexy black lingerie she had been given by one of her guests. Cross was grinning madly and Nicholi was completely distracted entertaining all the kids with Jacob as his assistant.
Echo (The Butterfly Series Book 3) Page 11
