Ringing in the New Year (17)

“Yeah. That must be it.” I wrap my arms around him and steal another kiss before we leave to go out and meet his parents. It’s not as emotional as the day before, but it’s close.

“Should we stop to get something to eat first?” Kathy asks as she hits the button on the elevator.

Until yesterday I hadn’t been on one in over five years. It weird how distant but familiar things can be. Going out to lunch would be the same. You can forget about all the small things in life until they are no longer there.

Reed tenses a little next to me and I lean into him, trying to comfort him. “She should eat,” he agrees, though I know he’s worried. I wonder if it’s in general or because the man I’m pressing kidnapping charges against is free and nowhere to be found.

We got a phone call early this morning and learned a lot about what’s happened. The compound was raided after I gave my statement and they were able to get a warrant. Eugene Mass was nowhere to be found and I’m not shocked. The man is a coward and I never understood how so many people could follow him. Nor did I understand his fascination with me. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn't swooned all over him. In fact, I did my very best to never be around him. He wanted to prove his power over me, though I didn’t tell Reed that. He thinks me breathing is enough for someone to fall in love with me and he would have gone out and hunted Eugene down.

“Are you hungry?” Kathy looks to me.

“She could be eating for two,” Reed answers for me, and my mouth falls open.

Kathy gasps louder than I thought was possible, and I smack Reed on the chest.

“You did not just say that,” I say, and he shrugs.

“You could be,” he says, not helping matters.

“Calm down, honey,” Mike says to Kathy, which does nothing to calm her. She’s practically dancing on her tiptoes with excitement.

“Look what you did. She can’t talk now,” I say and point.

“She’s excited. Don’t make a liar out of me, Dimples.” I stand there shocked and Mike laughs. Reed winks at me and I fight my smile but fail.

I’m excited at the idea myself and I look down at my stomach, wondering what it will be like to be pregnant. I place my hand there as I hear the elevator doors chime.

We step off the elevator together and walk out the front door. I glance outside to see the same three SUVs from the day before already waiting for us. I’m confused as a shout from one of the men in a black suit has me turning to see what he’s looking at. I freeze when I see Eugene running right towards me.

He’s crazed and there’s a wild look in his eyes. He screams my name over and over again. His normally wavy brown hair is matted and his eyes are bloodshot. He’s dressed in pure white like he always is but now his clothes are stained and he’s filthy. He was meticulous about his appearance while on the compound, but now he looks like he’s been living under a bridge.

Two of the bodyguards go for him, but Reed barks for them to stop. They hesitate but do as he commands. Reed doesn't stop, though, and faster than a man his size should be able to move, he’s on Eugene.

Reed grabs him by the throat, and as if he weighs nothing more than a rag doll, Reed slams Eugene down onto the concrete. I hear a loud crack of something breaking and I have to look away. A few more grunts and I peek back to see Reed going to town on Eugene. I know I have to stop him or he’s going to kill him with his bare hands.

I walk over and place my hand on his back. At my touch he stops. Eugene makes a choking sound, but I don’t look at him. I keep my eyes on Reed as he leans down close to Eugene so he can hear him. When he speaks it’s low but deadly and for only Eugene and me to hear.

“They think I’m not killing you because I’m a better man than that. That I’m showing you mercy,” Reed says as he looks back at me. “There is a fate worse than death and I know it because I’ve lived it. It’s knowing she’s out there but not with you.” He turns back to Eugene and squeezes his hand around his neck. “You’ll know she’s out there and she belongs to me. She always has and always will. You’ll sit in your cell and pray for death.” His dark words are scary, but they also mean so much to me.

Reed stands up and steps over Eugene. His breathing is slowing as police cars pull up. I hadn't heard the sirens until now.

“You scared of me?” Reed asks.

“Scared of the boy who can’t even beat me at dodgeball?” I challenge. He wouldn’t ever throw the ball at me, but that was his problem not mine.

“You got me there,” he says and grabs me by the waist and lifts me up.

“It’s time to go home,” he tells me.

“Does this mean no lunch?” Kathy asks. “She should really be eating extra for the baby.”

I laugh as Reed kisses me and carries me away from everything I want to leave behind.





Epilogue





Reed





One week later…





She’s struggling with the zipper on her dress and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. In the week since she’s been back, my mom has probably made her put on about ten pounds. The dress fit when she first tried it on and now it’s stretched across her like a second skin.