Book Read Free

The Scars Between Us

Page 28

by Schiller, MK


  Don’t panic, I give him the answer he drilled into me from an early age.

  That’s right, honey. Your panic will kill you. No one else is coming. You can do this. Remember your knots are loose. You have to work them. Bend your wrist.

  I flip up my wrists and work my fingers into the ropes. The awkward angle hurts and I can’t reach the knot.

  Be calm and focus, Emma. While you’re doing this, look around for a weapon.

  I see the empty mason jar and a few sharp objects.

  You’re never going to get close enough to use those. He’ll see you coming. Think. I look around the house. What was it Aiden told me once?

  I hear his scream, then, and I lose focus.

  If you want to save him, then ignore everything else. I take a deep breath and find my way back. He kept a gun in this metal thing by the fireplace. It was loaded, too. I am seated directly in front of the fireplace. I look to my right and then my left, and I see the grate. There is no way it can still be there. But didn’t Harlan say everything was exactly the same? Judging from the amount of dust and cobwebs covering the ceiling, I doubt anyone has even been in here for the last twelve years.

  The knot comes undone, and I pull it through. Harlan is still facing Aiden and has his back to me. I look at Aiden and show him my free hands before I untie my feet. Aiden gives me the slightest nod. The grate creaks as I open it, but Aiden’s voice cracks through the air covering the noise.

  “Is this all you got, you pussy?”

  “Tone it down, boy. We’re just getting started.”

  I feel around for the black pouch. Please let it be here. But I all I feel is dirt and soot. Calm down, Emma. Move your hand all the way in. I feel something soft beneath all the ashes. I dig it out with my fingernails. The gun is still in there. I should check it for bullets.

  There is no time for that, girl. Bluff. I doubt he’ll remember if it’s loaded. You need to get closer to him, though.

  My feet are unsteady. I almost slip on the liquor Harlan splashed all over the floor. The gun is so old it will probably misfire. But it is literally the only shot I have.

  The whole time I am doing this, Aiden is taunting the monster. Harlan has dropped the bat and is using his bare fists. The sound of fist against flesh would make me scream except I bite the inside of my cheek so hard it bleeds.

  “Every woman left you because you are not a man.”

  “And you are?” Harlan roars.

  “Uncuff me and fight a fair fight for once in your life. You can’t, can you?”

  He hits Aiden across the temple.

  No!

  Aiden collapses on his side, his head bouncing once off the wood floor.

  I am a few feet away, but I cock the pistol. Harlan turns in my direction.

  “Well, look at this. You got some real balls, missy, coming at me with my own gun.”

  My hand shakes, but I get it under control. He takes slow steady steps in my direction as if he’s not scared at all. The gun isn’t loaded!

  Stop thinking and trust your instincts. This time, it’s Aiden’s voice I hear.

  “Now, Emma, why don’t you hand it over? We both know your never gonna shoot—”

  I shoot him, square in the chest. He falls back. I exhale for the first time since I woke up in this horrible place. There is a river of blood coming out of him. I skirt past it, my naked feet almost slipping. Something curls around my ankle and I fall. I twist in pain, trying to right myself. He has his fucking hand on my ankle. He lifts something shiny from his pocket. I hear the sound of metal. I see the lighter’s flame for a brief instant as it arcs through the air.

  “I’ll save you a seat in hell.”

  Fire circles us in a strange pattern. The alcohol Harlan splashed fuels the flames. I pry my foot loose from the devil’s hold and crawl to Aiden. Setting the gun down, I place my head against his chest. His heart is beating. I try to pull him, but he is too heavy. I run back through the flames to Harlan and remove the key to the cuffs from his pocket. I burn my fingers, but I get it. The smoke overwhelms me. I give in to a coughing fit, but I find my way through the darkness to Aiden. I uncuff him, then I put my hands under his arms and try to pull him outside. I can’t budge him.

  Emma, the voice warns. You have to go. Now.

  I won’t leave you, Aiden. I won’t.

  The house is going to blow.

  I straddle Aiden and slap his face, trying to get him to wake up. “Please, Aiden. Please wake up. I love you. I need you to wake up.” I look back once. The fire is close to the curtains. The curtains are close to the ceiling where the busted pipe is. I turn back to Aiden and beat his chest. “Fucking wake up!”

  His eyes open. I cough so hard. I’m going to pass out. He’s sits up, his arms closing around me. In my peripheral vision, I see his hand reach for the gun. He pulls me against his chest and points it across the room.

  “He’s dead. He’s dead. It’s done. We have to go, Aiden. The house is going to blow.”

  I fall when I try again to stand. Heavy black clouds of smoke cover us. I can’t see a damn thing. But I feel Aiden’s hand on my back. He pushes me forward. The door opens. The light blinds me. I choke on the fresh air.

  “Run, Emma. We have to run.”

  I look behind me to make sure he’s there. I trip over the porch. My knee smashes into the pavement. He pulls me up. “Run.”

  It feels like a fucking marathon but it’s only a few feet. “Behind the car.” I can barely move. He can’t, either.

  “We won’t make it.” It’s not resignation but realization.

  Aiden pushes me to the ground. The grass is overgrown and almost covers me. He places his body over me. His fingers clasp mine.

  I turn my head toward the house. A window smashes. Shattering glass rains down on us. “Close your eyes.”

  This time I listen to him.

  “I love you,” he says before the whole world erupts. Shards of glass and wood and vinyl and a million other things fly past us. It happens in slow motion at first. Then it speeds up.

  I scream. I think I do, but I can’t hear my own voice, only a crazy ringing that won’t stop. Aiden isn’t moving. His hand is still on top of mine but it’s limp.

  “Aiden?”

  No answer.

  I try to roll us, but I don’t have the strength for it. “Aiden!”

  I close my eyes again. “Aiden—” It’s not a question or a plea. It’s just a whisper of a prayer.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Aiden

  I am going crazy. I woke up in the hospital. They keep checking my vitals and taking my blood pressure and sending me for all kinds of scans. All I want is Emma. They tell me she is fine. Severely dehydrated, and she has some minor burns and scrapes, but she’s going to be just fine. I won’t believe it unless I see her with my own eyes. Hold her in my arms. Kiss her senseless.

  I finally rip off all the annoying gadgets stuck to me. The nurse comes in just as I’m trying to remove the IV.

  “Stop,” she says.

  “I need to see her.”

  “You need to rest, Aiden.”

  I look at her nametag. Margie Evans. I know her. She was the PTA mom, canned food drive organizer and school nurse. “Mrs. Evans.”

  She offers me a smile. “Aiden, the tests will be back soon.” She adjusts the covers over me, and her hand reaches for mine. I pull it away as soon as she touches it. “I’m so sorry.”

  “What exactly are you apologizing for?”

  “Everything.”

  “Because you believed him, didn’t you?”

  She wipes her eyes and sniffs. “Everyone did. I am so sorry.”

  “I don’t need your pity, Mrs. Evans.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “Take me to my girl.”

  Her mouth crimps in a slight frown. “I can’t. The doctors don’t want you up yet. We’re worried about internal injuries.”

  “Then put me in a wheelchair and roll me. Hell,
I’ll roll myself.”

  “Not until the tests are back. But I can try to sneak her in here. She’s been going crazy asking for you, too.”

  It feels like forever until Emma is standing at the door. I hope to God she is not a mirage. I sit up in the bed, and shift my legs over.

  “Aiden, you shouldn’t get up.”

  “Then you better come to me.” I pat the vacant area on the bed.

  She walks to me and takes the seat. Her shoulders shake. She turns her head to me.

  “Are you hurt, Emma?”

  “I’m fine. How do you feel?”

  “Better now that you’re here.”

  She throws her arms over me. I wince. “Am I hurting you?” she asks.

  “No.”

  “Liar.”

  I laugh, which hurts even more. “Angel, I want to hold you more than anything. I can live with this hurt.”

  “I almost lost you.” She sobs against my chest.

  I take her face in my hands, wiping away her tears with my thumb. “You were so brave, Cooper. You saved my life. You know what that means? I am your responsibility now. You are stuck with me.”

  “You saved my life, too.” I tilt my head quizzically and she goes on. “At the river and when you pushed me out of the house. When you jumped on top of me and probably a million other little ways.”

  “I guess that means we’re extra stuck.”

  “That sounds about right.”

  She claims me with her kiss. It’s a kiss that heals the darkness of the past and holds a promise of our future.

  Then someone clears their throat. I glare at the women who interrupted us.

  “I’m sorry to intrude, but I’m Detective Cole. I need to ask you a few questions, Mr. Sheffield. Ms. Cooper, there is another detective waiting to talk to you.”

  “We’ll answer them together.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not our procedure.” Her face softens. “I have a dead man and a blown-up house. I have a list of questions. Please let us do our job so you can get on with your life.”

  Even though I went into the military, I’ve never trusted cops, so I tense when Emma slips from my hold. “It’s okay, Aiden.” She kisses my cheek. “I’ll see you soon.” Then she turns to the detective. “Don’t take long. He’s been through a lot.”

  “I’ll do my best,” the detective responds, seeming surprised by Emma’s demand.

  I crack up at my girl’s protectiveness.

  Detective Cole takes the plastic chair and positions it across from the bed.

  “Deputy Franks was in on it,” I say before she even sits.

  “He turned himself in a half hour ago. We’re questioning him, too. But I want to know what you were doing at your estranged father’s house.”

  “That’s not really a quick story, Detective Cole.”

  “Then take your time.”

  I start to answer simply, but everything leads to something else. She asks insightful questions. She picks up on the things I brush over, until I am spilling all the horrible fucked-up details of my life and what brought me here.”

  Her expression remains composed, but her eyes show compassion. Her cell phone rings right at the end. “Excuse me. I’ll send Ms. Cooper in here. I’m sure they are done by now.”

  Emma doesn’t hesitate this time. She runs toward me. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine. You?”

  “Pretty damn good.”

  Nurse Evans comes in, announcing I’m in the clear. No internal injuries. “You’re made of super-strong stuff, Aiden.”

  “Yes, he is,” Emma says.

  As soon as the nurse leaves, the detective comes back. Are we ever going to be alone?

  “Franks admitted everything. Even things we didn’t ask about. The man will be going away for a long time. After this, I suspect the state will do a full investigation into the Linx Sherriff’s Department.”

  “Better bring a broom. There’s a lot of sweeping up to do.”

  “It’ll be a full vacuum assault.”

  “So, we’re all good?”

  She nods. “I want to apologize to you, Aiden. The entire system let you down time and again.”

  I don’t need pity, but I sure did appreciate the apology.

  “Thank you.”

  I expect her to leave, but she still stands there.

  “Is there something else, Detective?”

  “You mentioned the dog you gave away.”

  “Sassy?” I ask, surprised she remembered the tiny fact.

  “Where did you leave her again?”

  “At the no kill shelter in Roan.”

  “You said she was a shepherd?”

  “She was mutt, but she definitely had shepherd in there somewhere.”

  She purses her lips. “I’ve never been a fan of dogs. I always thought they were too much responsibility. But then my son got cancer.”

  Okay, this isn’t making much sense, but there is a raw grief in this woman’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  She takes a deep breath. “Wow, that came out horribly wrong. It’s difficult to talk about.”

  “Take your time,” Emma says. She offers the woman an encouraging smile and holds a box of tissues out.

  The Detective takes one and dabs her eyes. Emma never stops amazing me. The girl has been through so much, yet she still finds the strength to comfort someone else. I wrap my arm around her.

  “Thank you. It was a long time ago. He didn’t make it. We spent many hours at the hospital. They had a lot of programs for the kids. But nothing cheered him up more than when they brought the therapy dog in.”

  “Dogs are really intuitive,” I say.

  “Yes, and this particular dog was so gentle. Her name was Shiloh. Her trainer told me she had adopted her from the shelter. It was obvious she’d been abused, but someone must have loved her very much, too. Shiloh had so much love and compassion. She brought out smiles in sick children like she was magic.”

  I make the connection and my heart stills. “Detective Cole, what are you saying?”

  “I’m not sure. I keep a picture of my son petting this dog on my phone. I think it was the last huge smile I remember him having.”

  “I would really love to see it.”

  She hands me her phone. I blink in disbelief, taking in the picture of the gorgeous mutt and the little boy petting her. Emma peers over my shoulders. “Emma, this is…it’s Sassy.”

  “She’s beautiful, Aiden.”

  “I know Shiloh…Sassy has passed on now, but I promise you the trainer gave her an excellent home. She made many sick children remember they were kids again.”

  “Thank you for this. You have no idea how much it means to me.” I hand her phone back. “And I’m sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful boy.”

  She nods, putting the phone back in her purse. “He was. The thing about love, unlike any other emotion, is that it never dissipates. Once you put it in the atmosphere, it lives there. It travels and floats and goes to places you never imagine. When you love something, you unleash that love on the world.”

  “That’s true,” Emma says.

  She laughs, dabbing her eyes one more time. “I’d appreciate if you kept my emotional breakdown to yourselves.”

  “No worries there, Detective Cole.”

  “Sandy,” she says, shaking my hand. “Take care of yourselves—and each other.”

  “We plan to.” Emma and I say it in unison.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Emma

  I pull the red truck up to the huge farmhouse. Although it’s been a year since I first walked into Aiden’s life, I still smile with gratitude every time I come home. I never moved to a cottage. Aiden moved all my boxes into his room. I think for the first week we did nothing but play with our dogs, eat, sleep, and cling to each other. We both had a few nightmares about that horrible day in Linx where we barely escaped hell. We comforted each other through every bad dream.

  Aiden quit fighting. I didn’t ask him
to, but I am so happy he did. It kills me to see him get hurt. Mac handed the reins of the shelter over to Aiden. He runs the Heavenly Paws Sanctuary now. I help him. That is, when I am not in school. Some people discover their passion on their own, and others get hit in the head with it. Like in my case—I am going to be a veterinarian. I love animals. I’m partial to dogs, but I’ve always had a fascination with them. It’s going to be a long haul, but I have a great family in Aiden and Mac and our dogs. With them by my side, I feel I can do anything.

  I enter the house, expecting the patter of paws to greet me, but no one is there. Usually, Aiden is making dinner by now. Mac has been teaching him Cuban cuisine and all the family recipes. Yeah, I am one lucky girl. But today the kitchen is empty. The paw magnet on the fridge has a note stuck to it.

  Cooper, meet me at the dog run. Yours, Aiden.

  I head out there. I plant my foot in the opening of the chain-link fence. Aiden comes over the hill with his pack just as he did the first day I saw him, except now they are our pack. I wonder if he even realizes that it’s exactly one year from that day.

  We bring in new dogs and adopt out others. Our family constantly grows and shifts, but there is plenty of love to go around. One thing remains the same. Aiden Sheffield is still the most beautiful creature I have ever seen, inside and out. He smiles as he approaches me. The dogs all jump up and down for me to pet them.

  “Sit,” Aiden commands. “I get the first greeting. You guys should know that by now.” They all sit. Some whine but Aiden silences them with one admonishing look.

  “Hi, angel. I missed you today.” It’s the same thing he says to me every day.

  “I missed you, too, baby.” My usual reply. He crushes his lips against mine.

  When we break apart, the dogs are all staring at us. If they could roll their eyes, I think they would.

  “So, what’s up?” I gesture to a setup of white-painted wooden tiles, each one balanced against a flat rock.

  “I taught them a new trick. Wanna see?”

  “Yeah, show me.”

  Aiden unlatches the gate. He takes my hand, leads me around, and positions me in front of the signs. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” My pulse races. I don’t think this is an ordinary trick.

  Aiden whistles. “Take your places.” Each dog—tall, short, narrow, and wide—lines up next to one of the planks, like four-legged soldiers

 

‹ Prev