“If you’re in your home why don’t you just leave?” I say for like the billionth time. I just don’t understand him. I’ve always known my father to be a fighter. For crying out loud he’s a lawyer, standing up in front strangers demanding they see things from his point of view. Right now, he looks lost and defeated. This is his home and he allows Mel to keep him a prisoner in it.
“Please” he voice needy. “Stop going on….”
I jump to my feet and once again start pacing up and down. I hate in here, I hate being closed in. I can hear movement above me. No doubt Mel is doing that on purpose. Probably trying to scare me even further. I’m not scared anymore; I just want to go home, that’s why I am staying strong. I have faith in Ayden that he will find me and take me back to Lacey and my mom.
What will happen to my father? I never thought about him. I hope he keeps his word and hands himself in and I hope Mel gets what she deserves. My father was tricked into all of this and she was the one pulling the strings. She planned everything and for what?
“Why does Mel hate you so much?” I finally ask, stopping in my tracks and turning towards him.
He gives a little snort and shakes his head. “Its just seems a little drastic that someone would go to all this length if she simply disapproved of you being with Mom.”
“I must say” he smiles, closing his book and putting it down. “You have a very sharp and inquisitive mind, Jennifer.”
“Enlighten me then” I groan, folding my arms across my chest and glaring at him. “I’m not a child, I am pretty I will understand.”
“Of course you’re not a child anymore” he sighs as he rubs in between his eyebrows. His mouth turns down at the side and sadness fills his eyes. “It was your eighteenth a few days ago. My little girl eighteen already. Soon you’re graduate and then your be off to college. You should be at home, having fun.” He pauses. “Because of me you’re stuck here. I have been a pointless father.”
“You’re not pointless” I say as I walk over to him. “You had you’re head turned by money. You thought you were providing for your family and I guess I understand that.” I sit down beside him and grab hold of his hand. “I just want to know what’s happened between you and Mel.”
His thumb brushes along my knuckles. “I dated Mel for a while during high school. Not because I liked her, but because I wanted to get to know your mother” he smiles fondly as he remembers. “Your mother was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Her hair would shine in the sun and her smile would light up a room. Every guy at school had a thing for her and she never noticed me until I started dating Mel.”
“I see,” I smile at him. “And Mel has had a grudge ever since.”
He shrugs his shoulders. “I thought she had gotten over it. Although, she’s had her moments when she would show her hatred towards me. She was forever telling your mother I was a waste of space. I guess in the end she was right.”
Crash!
I and my father just stare at each other as something crashes again. His arms reach out and he pulls me into him, protecting me in his arms. My heart begins to race, is this it? Is this how I’m going to die? Is it a horrible thought that I would rather be in my mothers arms at my last moment? The crashing and thudding stops. Footsteps begin walking towards us. I close my eyes tight; I don’t want to see the face of the man/woman who kills me.
“Jen,” says a caring voice. All fear leaves me instantly at the sound of that voice and I finally let out a deep breath. I feel strong arms lift me up and wrap tightly around me. He’s here, the voice inside sings. He’s here. I wrap my arms around his neck and fall into him. His heavenly scent awakening all my senses.
“Open your eyes” he whispers into my ear as he pulls away, holding me at arms length. My eyes slowly open and take in the sight of him. His face is full of concern and his dark eyes taking me in.
My heart swells, god I love him. I’ve never felt this way in my whole life. I need him and I will be what ever he wants me to be. One of his hands lets go of me and he cups my chin. A soft smile spreads across his lips.
“You’re perfect” he breathes, leaning in and kisses me sweetly on the forehead.
“Who are you?” My father abruptly says, banishing my perfect moment with the man I love.
I pull away from Ayden and look over at my father. His brow knotted together with confusion. “This is Ayden I told you about.” He quickly relaxes and stands up walking towards us. He holds out his hand to Ayden. Now it’s Ayden who looks confused. “I told my father how you looked out for me. He’s promised he will turn himself in once we get out.”
“You have no idea how thankful I am to you, Ayden. My girls mean everything to me. You must trust me I had no idea about the threats. I never meant for things to get this much out of control.”
Ayden looks down at my father’s hand. “You’ll excuse me if I am not touched by your speech” his voice cold and hostile. His eyes have darkened again, reminding me of the first time I spoke to him in the store. “We need to get outta here and we need to do it fast.” He grabs hold of me and we charge towards the door.
Once again there are footsteps and we freeze in the doorway. I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize it’s only Tucker. His face is covered in blood and he isn’t alone. Mel is behind him, a gun pressed against his back. No, this can’t be happening. Poor Tucker’s face is a mess, his lip is swelling up and the cut on his forehead looks serious and painful.
Mel looks as if she is enjoying the whole thing.
“Leave him alone” I scream at Mel.
“Not a chance, sweetie” She pushes Tucker and he falls to the ground. Her gun now points in our direction. Ayden pushes me behind him, protecting me from that monster. “I really don’t understand why you’re all making a big deal about this.”
“Just let Jen go and we will sort things out” Ayden barks at her.
“I did have things sorted out!” Her eyes going crazy and she starts waving the gun. “Why does no one ever take me seriously?” She screams as she points the gun at Tucker and without even thinking she pulls the trigger.
Everything goes in slow motion as I watch the bullet hit Tucker in the back. His face as he screams, but no sound emerges. He just slumps stomach first to the ground and blood pools all around him. I want to be sick and my legs give way. I fall to the ground and I can’t take my eyes off his still body. This is my entire fault. I’ve killed a wonderful man who had so much going for him.
“Drop your weapon!” Yells a voice, more footsteps descend down the stairs. Men dressed all in black fill the room and surround Mel, guns pointing straight at her. Her eyes met mine and that smile has dropped off her face.
“I hope you rot and burn in hell” I hiss at her as they hang cuff her and drag her away.