by LK Collins
I look out the window as the road flies by us and feel anxious, needing to get to Abby. I know Maris is close to the hospital and she could update me more quickly, so I text her, Abby and I were in a car accident. I’m fine, but she was airlifted to New York Methodist. Can you please check on her? You’ll get there before me.
I’m on my way! You sure you’re okay?
Yeah.
Then the officer responds to a call over the radio talking in code, but I’m in a daze, wishing that he would just drive faster. My thoughts keep fucking with me as her screams replay in my mind and then the image of her lying there…and the blood…so much blood.
The officer pulls off the highway at the wrong exit and I ask him, “Where are you going?”
“My sergeant wants me to bring you in for questioning.”
“What? Why?” I ask, aggravated as shit that they are doing this right now.
“Not sure, just following orders, sir.”
I slam my hands on the grate that separates us and shout, “That’s fucking bullshit!”
32
Latch
"Do you know why you’re here, Mr. Teracino?”
“No!” I’m irritated as fuck and it’s coming through in my tone.
“Can you recount for me what happened tonight?”
“Why? I already told the officer on scene.”
“You did, but things aren’t adding up with the evidence and your statement,” he says. “Could you tell me again?”
“Why should I repeat myself when my girlfriend is in the hospital? Nothing has changed from earlier.”
“So you have nothing to add?”
“No, man. I just need to get to her. Please, could you question me there?”
I check my phone, but there is no cell phone service in here. Panic creeps in and I clench my fists.
“Why didn’t you tell Officer Devero that the other driver was Mrs. McEllrath’s husband?”
“I didn’t know who hit us.”
“Funny you should say that. Let me play you something.” He turns his phone towards me.
“911, what’s your emergency?” a female voice asks.
“I was just hit by another car and can’t pull over, I’m sandwiched in between traffic.” I recognize the voice right away. It’s Darrell’s and he sounds like a panicked little bitch.
He called 911 and pinned this shit on me!
“Can you pull over in the other direction, sir?” the 911 operator asks him.
“I’m trying, but he won’t stop hitting me and flashing his lights. He’s driving erratically and blocking—”
Then you can hear a collision and the operator asks him, “Sir, are you all right? He doesn’t respond and then there is chaos in the background, followed by silence, I’m assuming that’s when Darrell smashed into the pole and his car burst into flames.
“What do you have to say now, Mr. Teracino?”
“Nothing. My story isn’t going to change. Look at the damage to my car, I never hit him. He rear-ended me over and over, then drove us into the center barrier causing us to flip.”
“We’ve looked at your car, and it’s smashed to pieces, front to back.”
“What about his?”
“Mr. Teracino, you do realize that Darrell McEllrath is dead and Abby McEllrath is going to die, and both of those murders will fall on your shoulders.”
“Fuck you!” I shout and stand, slamming my fist on the table.
“Sit down, Mister Tough Guy. Your tattoos don’t scare me.”
I take a seat and look at the prick ass officer who is twisting this whole thing into a story that it isn’t.
“Get a crime scene investigator out there!” I repeat, my body burning with adrenaline.
“Why don’t you let us make those calls? So last chance...nothing to add?” I flip him off and he laughs stepping out of the room. My eyes follow him as he walks into an office congregating with another officer. Little fucking pussies, I say. On the wall of the office is a ton of baseball memorabilia and suddenly everything makes sense. They know that I am innocent, but they are trying to make me admit to something I didn’t do because this is personal. Someone here has to know Darrell. It’s got to be the only reason.
Looking at my phone, there is still no service and the clock on the wall ticks by slowly. Each minute feels like an hour and all I can think about is Abby and our baby. How could things go from being so perfect to so fucking bad?
Resting my head in the palms of my hands, I feel sick imagining the worst and I pull myself away from that dark place. I can’t go there. Abby is a fighter.
The door opens and in walk two assholes. The one who questioned me and one of the on-scene officers, who I don’t trust either. “We’re gonna cut you loose,” the on-scene officer says.
“For now,” the other adds. “But this isn’t the end. We’ll get an arrest warrant and you’ll be charged.”
I blaze past them as they keep talking, “Fuck you both!” and bolt out of the room, walking outside in a fit of rage. I flag the first cab I see. “To New York Methodist.” He pulls away from the station and it takes forever for my phone to get service. Finally it chimes with seven missed calls all from my grandma. Immediately I call her back.
There is panic to her voice the second that she answers, and her first words are, “Oh, God, Latch.”
“How is she?” I ask, frightened for the news.
“Her injuries are terrible, the doctors she might not…” she stalls. “You need to get here now!”
My insides break. I cannot believe her words. “Noooo,” I respond through a sob and sink further down into the seat, wanting to jump from the moving car as I hold on to my hair, like it’s going to fucking help me right now.
“It’s not good Latch…you need to hurry.”
In the background, I hear alarms and someone shouts, “McEllrath, code blue.”
“Noooo,” she wails. There is so much emotion in her tone as her voice cracks and my phone falls from my ear. I’m about to hyperventilate thinking of losing Abby. This terrifies me like nothing that I’ve ever felt. Looking down at the screen, I hear my grandmother’s sobs and I press the end button.
“To President Street in Crown Heights,” I tell the cabbie with a stone cold expression.
My breath is already slipping from me. I cannot live without her, she is my world.
Everything inside of me is on autopilot; my actions are involuntary, almost as if I have no control over them. Someone else is controlling my body and I grab my phone, sending a text to my grandma. I love you, thank you for everything. And then I drop my phone to the floor of the cab. Leaning forward, I rest my face in my palms, a pain greater than what I can take resonates inside of me. Deep down, I know Abby is not going to make it, my grandma said so herself. And I can’t bear to see her that way; my last visions of her are already tainted. I’ll be damned if they are ruined further.
The cabbie weaves through the city and the emotions inside of me are unreal. After all that we have been through, this is how it’s all going to end.
Finally, he pulls up to my house and I hand him all of the cash from my wallet before getting out. He looks down at it, shocked. Each step I take feels unreal. My body has been taken over, fire burns from deep within my soul, and I am not myself any longer, and that means that Abby has left this world.
I can fucking feel it.
Opening the door to my home…our home…I close it behind me. A picture of us stares right at me. I pick it up with tears streaming down my face and squeeze it so hard the glass cracks. Looking at her perfection, through the shattered mess, she’s so fucking gorgeous. She’s my world…my everything.
Why did things have to end this way?
Setting the picture on the coffee table, I reach under the loveseat and pull out my gun. The smooth black metal stares back at me, and I never imagined when I purchased this for protection that this would be how I’d use it. But the pain is too great and I know this is the ans
wer. It’s the only thing that’ll bring Abby and I back together.
Looking at her picture one last time, I kiss Abby, rubbing my thumb over her stomach and then I pray to God, to bring us together after I pull the trigger. Placing the cold black steel to my temple, I am reassured knowing that this…is the only way…
For My Readers
Woo, take a breath, relax, and please don’t throw your Kindle! You’re angry, I get that, but sometimes you cannot help the way these stories unfold. This was always Latch and Abby’s destiny.
They took you on one wild and hot ride that I hope you loved. I know for me, it is one that will forever hold a special place in my heart.
But let’s be honest, they were never destined for great things…or were they? Well, you’ll get to find out, because this is not the end. There will be a sequel to Latch, titled Abby, where you will find out what happens. Does Latch pull the trigger? Do Abby and the baby survive? Those questions and more will be answered in the final novel to this amazingly addicting and chaotic love story!
XOXO, LK
Acknowledgments
William, William, William, where oh where do I start with you? Latch would not be possible without you, that’s for sure and for that I’m so grateful. You are my number one fan and always have been. Thank you for all that you do. To be publishing book number nine is crazy! Nine times, baby! I love you to the moon and back. Thank you for being my partner in this world. I’m the luckiest girl in the land!
Lisa, my incredible super genius of an editor. I can’t even put together the right words to express my gratitude. You are the best of the best, and I couldn’t publish these books without you! Your attention to flow and precision is on point, like nothing I’ve ever seen! I appreciate you more than I think you will ever realize. Thank you for everything.
Letica and Janice, my wonderful proofreaders! You ladies are talented something fierce, and put together, you are a true lethal weapon. Thank you both for taking the time out of your busy schedules to help me and my crazy ass time constraints! I owe you both more than you know. I’m indebted to you always. Whatever you need…just ask!
To every single person who has taken the time to read Latch and Abby’s story, thank you! From the beta readers, to the ARC readers, to the bloggers, and the fans you all are such an instrumental part of my success and the reason, first and foremost, that I write. I construct these stories to make people happy, to create a world worth getting lost in for a weekend, where nothing else matters but you and those characters. Where you can be free from everyday life and just get lost.
I hope you loved Latch! Like I said before, it will always hold a very special place in my heart. And I’d love to hear your thoughts, if you would be so inclined to leave a review, both the Prezident and I read every single one. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the support! XOXO, LK
Unplugged
The story of Quinn & Merritt
Copyright © 2016 LK Collins
Cover Design by Prezidential Visions
Edited by Lisa Christman, Adept Edits
Formatted by Prezidential Visions
Photography by Volodymyr Tverdokhlib
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.
Dedication
Crystal, thank you for all that you do. This one’s for you, babe.
1
Quinn
Slowly, I creep up the snow-packed driveway, thankful that I have my new Jeep to navigate the slippery terrain. As I put the SUV in park, Ted opens my door, his adorable green eyes sparkling in the last of the evening sunlight.
“Fancy new car you got here,” he says. Ted is my best friend, Willow’s, husband.
“Why, thank you. I did sign the biggest client my office had this year.” He takes my hand as I steady myself, planting two feet firmly on the icy ground. A chill runs through me, and I zip my coat. “God, it’s cold.”
“But beautiful,” he says, and we both look up at the shimmering white flakes coming down hard. “Come on, let’s get inside.”
I nod and open my rear door, handing him my bag. Then we walk up to the gorgeous winter retreat that Willow’s brother, Ari, rented for the week. Every year he puts together one of these trips, and it’s what I look forward to most in the wintertime. It’s the same group of people every year, and we’ve all become like family. Most of us went to college together and now meet to spend time catching up, skiing, and snowboarding somewhere in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It’s not far from where I live in Denver, and with how crazy my job and life can be at times, especially as the holiday’s approach, I can always use the time away…this year in particular.
Ted and I kick the snow from our boots as Willow and Kami greet us at the door. “Oh my God!” both girls exclaim. “You look so adorable,” Kami tells me and gives me a tight hug, followed by Willow.
“This place is stunning,” I say to them.
“Isn’t it? Ari did awesome this year. Come on, let us show you to your room.”
Kami’s boyfriend, Jacob, and Ari are zoned out on the TV, watching some sports game. “Hey guys,” I say as I walk by and they both nod their heads followed by a simultaneous, “What’s up?”
“Awesome place, Ari. Thank you.”
“No problem,” he says, still focusing on the TV, and the girls show me around and then take me upstairs. As we head down the hall, it’s clear Ari has the master; he’s paying after all.
“So, here you are,” Willow says opening the door to the rustic-inspired bedroom, with two twin beds made out of real trees. My room is right across from her and Ted, and next to Kami and Jacob’s room, so we’re all sandwiched in together.
“Wow, I’m totally gonna feel like a little kid sleeping in here,” I tell Willow and Kami, as I plop down on the couch in the room to take my boots off. My bag is already by the door. Ted is such a sweetie.
“So, how are you holding up?” Willow asks me.
“I’m okay,” I tell her, the tears already pricking the back of my throat, and even though I try and push them away, it’s hard. Kami gives me a huge hug, and through an exasperated sigh, I say, “I’m not even sure why I’m upset.”
“Breakups are always painful, babe.”
And they are, even though my ex and I were only together for a handful of months, it was a fast and furious romance. He’s that big client I signed through my work, and he literally swept me off my feet. Flying me around every weekend to be with him as we traveled all over, and I just went with it. I completely let my guard down and in the process made myself vulnerable. It really was an awesome few months of my life. Until the day he broke up with me for really no reason that I could see. The pain of thinking about it is still so hard to handle. My relationships always seem to end badly, this one included, which makes me feel like there is something wrong with me. I’m really hoping with this trip I can let it go, even if only for this week.
“Have you heard from him at all?” Kami asks.
“No, thank God. I’m sure he’s moved on,” I tell the girls, and I’m sure he has.
“Well, I say you forget all about that douchebag,” Willow says, and I smile, changing into a pair of sweats.
“I’d love nothing more than to forget about him.”
“What do you ladies say, let’s make this the best wee
k ever? We are going to be completely relaxed, calm, and unplugged from the world, okay?” She looks at me with that look, and I know what she means. I take my cell phone from inside my purse. I’m reluctant to hand it to her…but I’m aware of the rules on these trips…so I do.
Kami and Willow hug me. Willow looks into my eyes, reading me, knowing me so damn well. “Let it all go, babe. This is a fresh start!”
“I will. Thank you both for picking my ass up.”
“Of course. Meet ya downstairs?”
“Yeah, I’m just gonna use the bathroom real quick.”
After I finish, I stare back at my reflection in the mirror. My dark blue eyes are tired and my straggly caramel colored hair is a mess. Christ, work really kicked my ass this week. I never knew managing other people’s money could be so much work. Now that I’ve been promoted to Investment Advisor within a huge financial firm, I realize how easy I had it before.
The snow made my hair such an unmanageable snarl that all I can do is use the hair band from my wrist to hold it in a messy ponytail.
My wool sweater looks ridiculous with my gray sweats, so I take it off, then go and dig through my bag for something more comfortable and less itchy to wear. One of the things I love about these trips is just being able to chill and relax and not care how I look. Ari is like a big brother to me, and the other guys are taken, so I have no one to look good for.
Suddenly the door opens. “Here you are, man,” Ari says, walking in with an unfamiliar guy, and I scramble to cover my breasts.
“What the fuck, Ari?” I yell, and both he and the new guy gawk at me. Looking back at his sexy face, I’m not sure what to do, so I storm into the bathroom and pull whatever t-shirt I’m holding over my head. Then I stand there trying to decide if I should walk out. Or maybe I should wait for someone to knock. Ari said, “Here you are?” What does he mean? This is my room! Who is that guy?
