The Wife Stalker(80)

Stelli fell from my arms as I registered Leo running toward me. I was panting, my heart going wild. Stelli lay on the ground next to me, and I knelt, putting a protective hand on his chest.

“What have you done?” Leo crouched down by Stelli’s unmoving body. “What did you do to him?” His face was white, and there was terror in his eyes.

“He’ll be fine in a little while, Leo,” I said, and I pulled out the stun gun. “But stay back, or I’ll use it again.”

“You’re insane! Get away from him!”

“Not until you listen to me.” I pointed the stun gun at Stelli with one hand and pulled a folder from my backpack with the other. “Move away from me,” I ordered him.

He hesitated a few seconds, looking from me to Stelli, and then took a few slow steps backward, never taking his eyes off me.

“Here,” I said, and tossed the folder to him. “Take a look, Leo. You’re angry at the wrong person. Piper is the dangerous one, not me. Did she tell you how she got rid of her last family? And another husband before that? She moved to Connecticut to hide. Changed her name, whitewashed her past. She’s lied to you. Don’t you get it? She’s going to kill Evie and Stelli . . . maybe you, too. She belongs in jail. You need to come back to me.”

He shook his head. “Back to you? I was never with you. I knew all about Piper’s past before I married her. She told me everything.”

He took a step toward me.

“Stop!” I screamed at him. “Don’t come any closer.”

He ignored me and reached for my arm, trying to grab me. “Give it up, Joanna. Piper’s called the police. They’ll be here any minute. Give me that.” He took another step toward me, and I pressed the stun gun into his chest and watched him go down.

My hands were shaking, my breath coming in short gasps. I picked Stelli up and ran once again, this time toward the house. Leo was never going to believe me. He was going to stay with that bitch until she killed them all. But she wasn’t going to get Stelli. He was mine. I knew then what I had to do. Stelli writhed in my arms, beginning to rouse. “Shhh,” I said, and kissed him on the head. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’re going to see Mommy. That’s what you wanted, right? Everything’s going to be okay.”

I stumbled along, holding Stelli against my chest, until we reached the edge of the mountain. I turned to the house for a final glimpse and then looked back over the cliff to the sea. It was beautiful down below.

Stelli’s eyes were open now, and I could see the fear in them, but I didn’t want him to be afraid. “Stelli, it’s all right. Don’t be afraid. Your mommy’s gone, but she knew I would take care of you, that I would be your new mother.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, saying a little prayer.

Olivia was waiting for us, I knew. I tried, Olivia. Leo wouldn’t listen. But I’m protecting Stelli, bringing him to you, and we can share him. I opened my eyes and took one last look at the splendor below, at the black, howling ocean that would soon be our home.

I lifted my foot to step forward, holding Stelli against my body.

“Stop!”

I turned around. Piper was standing there with Evie next to her, crying.

“Joanna, please. Talk to me. Step away from the ledge.”

I laughed. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? You must derive some sick pleasure in killing. You can’t have Stelli. He’s mine.”

“You’re right.”

“What?”

“He’s not mine. I should have never come between you. Just come back to the house, and we can talk about it.” She took a step toward me.

“Don’t come any closer, or we’ll jump right now. I’m not an idiot. You’re lying.”

“No, I’m not,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please, let him go. Take me with you instead.”

“Why would I want to take you?”

“He’s young. Too young to die. You don’t want me to have them, and that’s fine. I’ll go away. Let Stelli stay with his sister. Please.”

She looked sincere, but she’d fooled a lot of people.

“No deal,” I said, and turned back toward the ocean.

“Wait!” she screamed.

I whipped around. “You think I’m stupid, don’t you? I don’t believe you. Leo’s just like my father. He’s taking your side against mine. But Stelli belongs with me. You and Leo can’t have him.”

Stelli was now squirming, though sluggishly, in my arms. I was having trouble holding on to him. I looked over my shoulder. The edge was only two feet away. I could make it over with Stelli before Piper had a chance to reach me.

I hitched Stelli up, wrapping my arms more tightly around him. “Stay still!” He was crying now and calling Piper’s name. “Stop, you can’t trust her. Stay with me.”

Here we go, I thought, as I took a step and leaned back.

“She’s going to push Stelli just like she pushed Mommy!” Evie yelled.

I froze. What did she say? What had she seen that night? Suddenly, nails clawed at me, ripping into my flesh. I fell to the ground and Stelli rolled from my arms. I was too stunned to understand what was happening at first, but then I saw Piper pick him up and push him toward the house.