by Schiller, MK
“Yeah, I noticed.” He kisses my hair. “Let’s go back. We’ll take a long hot shower and wash away all the dirt.”
“Sounds good.”
We walk back slowly.
“Are you all right?” I ask him. I didn’t notice it before, but he’s really pale and favoring one side over the other.
“I’m fine now.”
When we reach the room, I clutch Aiden’s shirt and pull him into the bathroom. I lift it over his head. My hand flies to my mouth as I take in the purple-yellow bruise that covers his right side. He kisses my forehead.
“It doesn’t hurt.”
“Liar. Why didn’t you tell me? You ran after me when you were in this much pain?”
“I wasn’t gonna let you out of my sight. It’s just a bruise. I promise.”
I lead him into the shower. We wash each other, until all the mistakes of the past swirl down the drain, and all the promises of our future take their place.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Aiden
We were both so exhausted, we crashed into the bed. I woke early, watching the way the sun captured all the kaleidoscope colors of Emma’s hair. Her phone buzzes on the nightstand. I reach for it, intending to turn it off, but I see the message.
I’m suddenly on high alert.
This is Harlan. I need to talk you. I’m across the street at the diner.
How did he get her cell number? I shift out of bed and walk to the window, peeking through the blinds. I see a black Jeep, the same one I saw at the dock. This is his play. Harlan is a smart man. He figured out the deepest cut he could make was to turn her against me. It would hurt me more than anything else.
I’m going to end this. I force myself to take a breath. Don’t kill him. I look over at Emma. She has faith in you. Sometimes the fight isn’t about using your fists. Sometimes, the bigger fight is not using them. I struggle with it until I feel the control again. He will never bother us again. He’s not the scary monster I made him out to be. He’s just an old ex-con.
I throw on jeans and a T-shirt. Before I leave, I kiss Emma on the temple. She stirs, her smile turning into a frown when she sees me. “Why are you dressed?”
“I’m going to fetch us coffee and some chow.”
“That sounds good.”
Her hand caresses my cheek. I lean into it, drawing comfort.
I walk out, but not before turning to drink her in once more. God, I love this girl. I cross four lanes of traffic. He’s sitting in a back booth. He sees me, too. He smiles waving me over as if this is a normal luncheon.
“Aiden, this is a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“What are you trying to do to her, Harlan? Haven’t you played enough mind games to last a lifetime?”
“Join me.” He waives the waitress over. “My son will be dining with me. Can you get him what I’m having, please?” He gestures to his omelet.
“Sure thing,” she says.
“I’m not eating.”
“Don’t worry boy, it’s on me.” Then he slaps his forehead. “I’m sorry, I forgot. My son hates potatoes. Can you skip the hash browns, sweetheart?”
Un-fucking-believable.
“Sit down, Aiden.”
“I’m not sitting down, you sick fuck.”
Everyone in the place looks at us.
“You’re making a scene. Sit down before you get arrested again.”
I slam Emma’s phone on the table. “What the fuck kind of mind game are you playing? How did you get her number?”
He shrugs. “I have my ways.” There is glee in his eyes. He’s so proud of himself, he has to tell me. “She let me borrow her phone when I called the station. I don’t pretend to be an expert on all this new-fangled technology, but I can memorize a number off a contacts list. Your own number is always first.”
“Leave us alone, Harlan. You’ve fucked up my life enough.”
His eyebrow climbs. “I have?” He gestures his butter knife between the two of us. “I think it’s the other way around. Do you know what they do to cops in prison, Aiden?”
“No, but I’ve had a lot of fun imagining it over the years.” I sit across from him and wedge my foot against his ankle. “I’ll fucking kill you, old man.”
He winces. I press deeper. “Where the fuck is your bracelet? Does your PO know you crossed the county line?”
“They took it off at the hospital.” He drops his fork. “Stop, please. You’re cutting off my circulation.”
I lift my foot, but keep some pressure on him as a warning. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“I had to warn her about you.”
“You’re here because your plan didn’t work the first time? Unlike everyone in that damn town, she doesn’t believe you, you sick fuck.”
This is what Harlan does. He pricks holes in your head until your brain is Swiss cheese. He’s like the fucking redneck version of Hannibal Lector.
“Between the two us, I think you’re the sick fuck.”
“She knows everything, Harlan.”
“She knows she’s fucking her brother?” He pauses to let the drama of his statement sink in. I roll my eyes. “I always thought you were a fag. It turns out you’re into incest. Who knew?”
“You’re not my father.”
His mouth drops in surprise. “You found out.”
“Yeah, I found out a lot of stuff.”
“Good for you, Aiden.”
“You’re gonna get in your truck and turn your ass around. I’ll call your PO and let him know you’re on your way home.”
“I loved your mama.”
“Shut the fuck up. You’ve never loved anyone.”
“I did. I swear it. I loved her so much I was willing to take on her bastard son. But all she kept talking about was this other fucking man. You have any idea how hard it is to listen to the woman you love mourn another man?”
I press down on his foot again. “I’m not here to stroll down nightmare lane, Harlan. You’re outmatched in every way, so just admit defeat and leave us be.”
“You need to understand what happened.”
The frustration is agonizing. Why the fuck won’t he shut up. Why am I still here? Why is he still breathing? Why am I allowing him to breathe? “You married her for the trust fund.”
“I figured it was my due. You killed her when you came into this world. I deserved something for being saddled with her bastard kid. I knew you were the devil’s spawn from the start.”
I stomp my foot over his. “I just finished telling you I wasn’t your son, idiot.”
He takes a deep breath. “I’m glad you showed up instead of my daughter.”
“She’s not your fucking daughter.”
“She has my DNA. Mine and Amy’s. How does it feel to fuck a part of me? Do you get off on it?”
“There is nothing about her that comes from you.” I press harder. His face turns red. “I will kill you with a fucking butter knife if you ever talk about her again.”
He raises his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, let me go. I will leave.”
I ease off.
My food arrives with a cup of coffee. I shove it to the side. The waitress glances between the two of us. “Is everything all right here?”
“Just peachy, darling.” Harlan answers. “Son and I are just reminiscing.”
She glances between us once more before she leaves. His psychobabble has exhausted me.
“I want you to do something for me, Aiden.”
This is the most ridiculous conversation I’ve ever had. I almost laugh.
“Why the fuck would I do anything for you?”
“Come home. I’ve been missing you for these past twelve years. I’ve been doing a lot of imagining, myself. I think it’s time we had ourselves a nice family reunion. It’s long overdue.”
“Have you gone insane? I am never stepping foot in Linx again. After today, I’ll make sure you never step out of it.”
“Boy, I admire your convictio
n.” He wipes his mouth and slides out of the booth. “But you will come home. You remember the address, right?” He’s limping, but he keeps walking. He stops the waitress. “Honey, my son will get the bill. Isn’t it nice to have a kid who respects a parent these days?”
I can’t fucking do it. I’m gonna chase him. I will kill him. I will lose Emma, but she’ll be safe from him. Emma’s phone buzzes on the table. All those thoughts disappear as my world goes black.
It’s a picture of Emma bound and gagged inside of what looks like a van.
I walked straight into his fucking trap.
I run outside, but it’s too late.
Harlan’s truck squeals through the parking lot. He slams on the brakes in front of me.
“If you hurt her…”
“Shut up, Aiden. I’m done with your threats. Here are some promises. If you call the cops or any of your military buddies, I will carve up her pretty face like a Christmas ham.” He smiles at me, baring his teeth. I am helpless once more. “See you at home, son. Drive carefully. These are some rough roads.”
Car horns blare as I run through four lanes of traffic. My motel key jams in the lock before I finally get the door open. I pray Emma is in there and this is a cruel joke. Another horrible nightmare I am having.
But the bed is empty. The sheets are strewn on the floor and a lamp is shattered. I see drops of blood. Emma fought whoever took her. I pray this is his blood.
I grab my keys and run toward my car. My heart stops again when I see the four slashed tires of my SUV. He’s trying to slow me down. He wants time to set up. This is Harlan’s revenge. It’s going to be slow and painful. He wants a showdown.
Hang on, angel. I’m coming for you.
Chapter Forty
Emma
My head is spinning. I blink my eyes open, but darkness lingers at the edges of my vision. I try to reason out where I am. All the blinds are closed and the house is dark. My hands are tied together. My feet are bound to a metal chair. I’m wearing Aiden’s T-shirt and shorts. I remember a man in a ski mask. I begged him to let me put my clothes on. He did. He even turned around. I slipped on the first shirt I saw, then I grabbed the lamp and hit him over the head. Then everything went dark.
My lips are dry and my throat is the Sahara desert.
“Well, well, she’s finally up. Morning Sunshine.” Harlan walks past me. “Just in time, too. The guest of honor will be here pretty soon. I wouldn’t want you to miss any of this.” He lowers the gag on my mouth.
I scream my head off. He slaps me across the face. My lips bleeds. He puts the gag over my mouth again. “Stop being naughty. You want to drink, right? You gotta be dying of thirst. Being drugged does that to you.” He holds up a jar. I want it so badly, I nod.
“I’m gonna try this again. This time, behave yourself.”
He lowers the gag and holds the jar against my lips. The liquid hits my gut, burning me from the inside out. I spit it in his face. “I should have let you drown, you fucking bastard.”
He pulls my hair back. “Yep, in hindsight, that might have been wise.” He gags me again. “Oh, c’mon, girl, where’s your sense of humor? This here is the best grain liquor you’ll ever have. It’s like a hundred proof, baby.”
He takes a long swig. “Your mama never cared for it, either, but let’s have a toast to her.”
He splashes the liquid all over the room. “Have yourself a drink on me, Amy. I’ve been looking for you for twenty-one fucking years and then you fucking die on me. But no worries, I got Emma here to keep me company. This is almost worth jail—almost.”
The door opens. Aiden comes barging in. “Stop right there.” Harlan pulls out a gun and slides it across my face. “Take off your shoes and close the door. Were you raised in a barn, boy?”
Aiden does it. He’s even paler than yesterday. His eyes are redder, and he’s unsteady on his feet. Yet, he stares at me the whole time. “Everything is going to be fine, Emma.”
“Don’t make bets you can’t bankroll, boy.”
“Why are you doing this?” Aiden asks.
“I spent twelve years in prison for a crime I didn’t commit. Someone has got to pay for that. Question is, which of you will it be?”
“It’ll be me, Harlan. It’s my debt not hers. For Christ’s sake, she is your own flesh and blood.”
“She stopped being mine the day Amy allowed her to call another man daddy.”
“She’s still your daughter.”
“Boy, you’re cracking me up. You must think I lost my head in that jail cell. This the best you got?”
Aiden nods. “You’re right. I am going to offer you what you want.”
“And what is that?”
“My money. All of it. It’s yours.”
“I got enough of it.” He points the gun around the room. “It paid off this house. Good ol’ Franks watched over it for me.” Harlan peels back a piece of loose wallpaper. “Of course, he could have done a better job.”
Franks steps out of the kitchen. “Sorry, brother, I tried.”
“No worries. Look around, Aiden. Besides wear and tear, it’s exactly the same. Doesn’t it feel good to be home?”
“This is between you and me, Harlan. Let the girl go, and we can end this together. I’ll let you do whatever you want to me. I won’t fight you. You have my word.”
“Anything?”
“Yes.”
Harlan walks toward Aiden, and Franks takes the gun from him. Harlan takes Aiden’s hands behind his back and cuffs them.
Harlan picks up a baseball bat from the corner of the room. It’s shiny aluminum and brand new. He circles Aiden, the bat slung over his shoulder. “Be specific. What are you going to let me do exactly?”
This is killing me. Stop it, Aiden. You don’t have to be my shield, right now. Harlan is enjoying this game too much. He isn’t going to let either of us go. Our only hope is a quick death.
“You can beat me. You can bite me. You can burn me. You can cut me.”
Harlan yawns. “That all?”
“I’ll let you rape me.”
A tear falls down my cheek.
“What is he talking about, Har?” Franks ask.
“Shut up, Franks. This doesn’t concern you.”
“Well, I’m in it now, since you dragged me into this.”
The baseball bat slams into Aiden. I break into a million pieces. I lift the chair up, struggling against the rope. Franks takes a hold of my shoulder, keeping me in place. I have no idea how Aiden remains on his feet. “Here’s how it’s gonna work, boy. We’re gonna play my favorite game.”
Aiden shakes his head. “No. No. No.”
“We sure are. Depending on how well you do, I might just reward you by letting her live.”
My wrists can move a little. I stop squirming when Franks glances at me. I meet Aiden’s stare. He actually forces a smile for me. “Close your eyes, angel. It’s gonna be okay.”
Harlan points the bat at me. His lips curl in a sneer. “You close your eyes and his punishment is ten times worse. When you hear his screams, you’ll know you caused them. I told you to fucking leave. Why didn’t you listen? Stupid bitch,” he says, spitting out each word.
Aiden’s voice interrupts him. “Close them, Cooper. Close your eyes.”
I shake my head. I am here with you, Aiden. I won’t abandon you.
Harlan grabs a few fistfuls of pebbles from a planter. He throws them at Aiden’s feet. “You know the drill.”
Aiden falls to his knees. He crawls on top of the pebbles. His face is that of a soldier. He doesn’t let the enemy know he’s winning. Harlan takes out a shiny Zippo lighter. He runs the flame across Aiden’s arm before lighting a cigarette.
Aiden pleads with me once more. “He’s going to drag this out, Emma. He enjoys the torture. It’s gonna happen no matter what. I’m so sorry, baby. But I’m begging you to close your eyes.”
Aiden’s face turns to anguish as Harlan extinguishes the cigarette on his sho
ulder.
It all sinks in, in one horrifying moment of clarity. We saved his life. He is going to kill us.
God, please stop this.
I glance up at Franks. His expression is one of shock. He’s seeing the monster Harlan is. He never knew.
Harlan slashes Aiden’s shoulders. I scream a muffled scream. Aiden is in pain but he doesn’t let out a sound. He won’t give Harlan the pleasure of his pain. It only makes Harlan angrier. He walks over to the table and grabs a salt shaker.
No, no, no.
He sprinkles it over Aiden. He grits his teeth, but still he’s silent.
Harlan laughs. “Just cleaning out your wound before you get infected.”
I look up at Franks. He must sense my stare because he turns to me. Although I can’t speak, I beg him just the same. Please help us. Help Aiden.
“I can’t do this, Harlan.”
“What the fuck, Franks. What did you think we were doing?”
“I didn’t sign up for this.”
“You forgetting I got the evidence where that missing meth money went?”
“Do what you have to, but I can’t be here.”
Harlan comes toward Franks, swinging the bat. Franks fires off a shot in the ceiling, stopping Harlan. Franks points the gun at him.
Thank God, he’s going to help us.
I look at Aiden. His face is cautionary.
But Franks backs toward the door. “I swear I won’t tell no one. I just can’t be a part of this.”
All my hope dies.
“Then get the fuck out of here, pussy.”
Franks bolts out the door, slamming it after him.
Harlan laughs, swinging the bat in the air. “We don’t need any outsiders, anyway. This is much more intimate.”
Something rancid drifts toward me. It’s rotten eggs. I get lightheaded. Fingers snap beside my ear. When I open my eyes, though, Harlan is across the room and Aiden is still cuffed.
You smell that, Emma? The voice is calm and comforting. It’s my dad’s voice. It’s a gas leak. Franks must have hit something with that bullet.
I’m gonna die, Daddy.
You have to save yourself, Emma. You’re in the fire and what’s the most important thing about being in a fire?
