Chapter 35
Daybooks
As Nathan drove up his parents’ street, Seraphina started breathing heavier. He squeezed her hand that he had been holding ever since they had hit the city limits.
“Relax. I’m here. No one is going to hurt you here.”
The white, plantation-style house came into view. Two stories, surrounded by trees, the house sat at the end of a cul-de-sac that backed up to the beach. It didn’t fit in this environment—a southern-style home built in the northwest, on top of a hill—yet it had once been home.
“I don’t think I can do this.”
Nathan stopped the car in the driveaway then turned to grip her cheeks and turn her focus on him. “Yes, you can. I’m here, okay? I will protect you.” He pointed toward the house, still gripping her face. “Those people in there will protect you. Jason’s gone, and soon, those other assholes will be, too. Stay with me, Seraph,” he begged before kissing her.
“I’m trying,” she mumbled against his lips.
“That’s all I ask, angel.”
Releasing her face, he got out and made his way around the car, seeing his parents already on the front porch.
He and Seraph had driven cross-country, a trip that had reacquainted them and introduced Nathan to Tristana, who had come out for a while. The other woman understood what was going on now and had promised not to come out if she could manage it. Nathan didn’t fully understand how their dynamic worked, but he was slowly learning.
His parents started toward them as he opened the door for Seraphina and she got out. Tears were already cascading down her and his parents’ faces as they both enveloped her in a hug at the same time, laughing and crying as they gripped each other. Then Kevin gripped Nathan’s shirt and pulled him in. All four held on to each other for the longest time.
“Come here, son. It’s been too long.” The two men broke away from the women and exchanged their man hugs. “How was the drive?”
“Great. Fun,” Nathan answered.
“And how is she doing?” Kevin’s voice had lowered.
Nathan looked over at Seraphina, who was still in his mother’s arms as both women clung to each other. “She’s better now.”
“Good,” his dad said, watching the women as he wiped his face dry. “When we have time, we need to talk.”
Nathan nodded, knowing what his father wanted to talk about. Then the two men grabbed the luggage and the Christmas presents Nathan and Seraphina had picked out together as the women finally made their way inside.
The house hadn’t changed much over the last six and a half years. It was now decorated for Christmas, garlands strewn everywhere, the Christmas tree sitting in front of the living room window with some presents already under it. His dad added the ones they had brought with them.
The house smelled like his mom’s famous chicken soup over the smell of evergreens. It was Seraphina’s favorite comfort food. He grew concerned that being in the house, smelling the soup, would trigger Tristana.
“You good?” he asked her quietly as he set the luggage down.
She gave him a watery smile. “Yeah, I’m fine actually.”
“Good.” He kissed her cheek before being bulldozed by his mother, who laced her arm through Seraphina’s then led her toward the kitchen.
“I closed your room off,” she informed her. “I didn’t … Well, you know.” His mom started to get teary again, her voice trembling. “I thought you would prefer to stay in the pool house.”
“Thank you.” Seraphina smiled at her as they stepped into the kitchen. “That smells so good.”
Vivian laughed, grateful that Seraphina had changed the uncomfortable subject.
~~~~~
After a late dinner, Vivian led Seraphina into the living room to talk. When Kevin was assured she would remain busy with his wife, he nudged his head for Nathan to follow him. He wanted to get the subject off his chest as soon as possible so he could enjoy Seraphina’s company.
Closing his office door as soon as Nathan had entered, he said, “I talked to the police as soon as you told me who it was.” Nathan had called his dad the day after he and Seraphina had shared their stories, wanting arrests as soon as possible. “The two men were picked up and are being held. One had been transferred to Japan a couple of years ago. He’s now being held here, in California. The other one was still in North Carolina.
“We’re looking at federal court because they crossed state lines and accounting for her age at the time of the kidnapping. More than likely, they will be tried separately. I can assure you that Shane Cruz will be going to jail for a long, long time.” He started marking down on his fingers. “Multiple counts of assault; multiple counts of rape, including rape of a minor times two; kidnapping charges; and attempted murder.”
He picked up a stack of papers on his desk, handing it to Nathan. “Matthew Laurens will be tried as an accomplice, accessory after the fact, kidnapping, aiding and abetting, and obstruction of justice.”
Nathan looked down at the two mugshots, feeling numb as a sense of déjà vu overtook him. “I know them. Well, I recognize them.” He tapped on the picture of Laurens. “I saw Jason talk to him all the time, but we were never introduced. He never came to the house, but I saw him around.” Nathan then pointed to the other picture. “This son of a bitch is pure evil. He gave me the chills whenever I saw him. He was always giving Jason threatening looks. Now I know why.”
He stared at the picture of Cruz for a long time, looking at the similarities between him and Chastity. He hoped to God the man never found out about her. He wondered if that was something they could keep from him in court.
Nathan dropped the papers on the desk, a loud smack ringing out. He wished that desk had been Jason’s face. “How could he have let this happen? Not have said anything?”
“Jason was never as strong as you, son.” His dad gripped his shoulder, having known exactly to whom the he was referring. “Look at everything you have overcome and accomplished. Finishing school and getting your degrees, making something of yourself, finding Seraph and bringing her home, never giving up …” He sighed and released him, turning away. “If Jason were alive right now, I’d probably kill him myself.”
“Not before I got my chance.” Nathan crossed his arms, turning his focus to a picture of him, Seraphina, and Jason when they had been ten and fifteen. Seraphina’s mother had just passed away a year earlier, and his parents had thought it was a good idea to take them on a trip to Hawaii, hoping to get Seraphina’s mind off her sorrow. It was one of the happier memories he had, one now tainted with the knowledge that his older hero brother was nothing but a weak coward.