Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(13)

“Charli, come here.”

My entire body electrified. Even before I had visual confirmation, the moment before he appeared, I knew he was here. I knew. In my heart and soul I knew that my Batman had found me, saving me. I’d told him that I wasn’t a damsel in distress. I’d resisted his hands-on approach and I’d done my best on my own.

However, as disbelief turned to shock on my stepfather’s expression, I wanted to take back everything I’d said.

In that second I welcomed Nox’s presence, his demands, and his rescue.

Before I could move, Alton spoke, “Alexandria, get in the car.”

I didn’t hesitate as I turned and stepped toward Nox. He was there, right in front of me. But before I got my footing, Alton tightened his hold upon my arm.

The next few seconds happened in a strange space-time continuum. I watched as Nox moved. His body became fluid, effortlessly flowing to my side. Simultaneously, Alton let go of me and fell backward against the car, stumbling.

It took a moment to realize what had happened. Nox hit him. Punched him.

“Oh my God,” I whispered as my hand covered my mouth. “Oh my God.”

As Alton reeled and steadied himself, Brantley’s movements caught my attention. Faster than I’d ever seen him move, he reached inside his jacket. In his hand now, reflecting the lights from the mansion, was a gun.

Gasping for breath, I screamed, lunging toward Nox, “No!”

If it had been a movie, it would have all occurred in slow motion. My scream would have been elongated beyond what is humanly possible. The bullet would have been in the camera’s focus as it flew through the air while at the same time the world was a blur.

This wasn’t a movie. My scream was quick and so was another voice—a new demand.

“Put down the gun, asshole, or die. The choice is yours.”

Thankfully, the bullet never left the chamber. Brantley’s eyes moved from Nox and me to somewhere behind us.

While Alton steadied himself and rubbed his chin, Nox pulled me close, tucking me safely into his side. If only he had his cape. Then I could wrap myself inside of it and disappear. Instead, I turned to see whose growling voice we’d heard.

“You?” Alton said, glaring toward Isaac. “From Magnolia Woods!”

It took me a second to realize he meant the alias Isaac had assumed—the concerned son of a patient.

“Put the fucking gun down,” Isaac repeated, his gun pointed in Alton and Brantley’s direction.

“Son, you will regret this,” Alton said to Nox. “I’ll have you arrested for assault and kidnapping.”

“I’m not your son,” Nox said. “Be glad you’re not unconscious. I did you a favor.”

Moving his glare to me, Alton asked, “Alexandria, what are your two questions?”

I didn’t answer, but looked up at Nox. “My mom?”

“Trust me.” It was all he said, his angry stare never leaving Alton.

My heart nearly seized up at the ultimatum. Trust him. I had and I hadn’t. Patrick had said there was a plan. I swallowed my uncertainty and held tighter to the man asking me to do what I’d done more times that I could remember.

“Chelsea?” I asked.

“Yes,” Isaac answered.

In their responses, neither man had revealed the meanings. In this new high-stakes game, neither had shown their cards. But in my heart, I knew that Nox and Isaac, and probably Clayton and Deloris too, had done as they’d promised. Despite the hell of the last ten days, the family that I had in Nox had done more for me and those I love than my real family ever would.

The tension that had kept me standing and moving one foot in front of the other drained from my bones, leaving me as limp as the fallen leaves. My knight, my Batman, steadied me as Isaac came to our side.

“One more time,” Isaac demanded. “Put the gun down.”

“You’ll never get away with this,” Alton warned. “You won’t make it off this property. If you take her, that’s kidnapping.”

I shook my head. “No, you kidnapped me. He’s saving me.”

“You should tell this criminal what happened yesterday, Mrs. Spencer.”

Nox didn’t turn, but tucked against his side, I felt his body stiffen against mine.

I reached for the diamond ring on my left hand and threw it to the ground at Alton’s feet. “My name is Miss Collins. Take the damn ring. The farce is over.”

“Apparently you don’t care about your mother.”

Though Brantley had lowered the barrel, the gun was still in his hand.

Nox stepped closer to Alton. “We’re leaving. Try to stop us and next time you’ll be on the ground.”

Through the open door to the limousine, Suzanna’s terrified stare penetrated the night. “Alton, Ralph just texted. He’s there, but Bryce needs us.”

Nox spoke over his shoulder to Isaac, “I thought I told you to stay with her.”

“Clayton has her and the car. I missed the shooting in the park. I wasn’t missing this one.”

“Her?” Alton asked.

Nox’s glare was still on Alton and Brantley. “Charli is the rightful heir here. She’s not sneaking out the back. We’ll leave through the front gate.”

“Yes, sir,” Isaac said. “I thought you might say that. Clayton can be here in minutes.”