Chapter Thirty-Nine
Aiden
We were both so exhausted, we crashed into the bed. I woke early, watching the way the sun captured all the kaleidoscope colors of Emma’s hair. Her phone buzzes on the nightstand. I reach for it, intending to turn it off, but I see the message.
I’m suddenly on high alert.
This is Harlan. I need to talk you. I’m across the street at the diner.
How did he get her cell number? I shift out of bed and walk to the window, peeking through the blinds. I see a black Jeep, the same one I saw at the dock. This is his play. Harlan is a smart man. He figured out the deepest cut he could make was to turn her against me. It would hurt me more than anything else.
I’m going to end this. I force myself to take a breath. Don’t kill him. I look over at Emma. She has faith in you. Sometimes the fight isn’t about using your fists. Sometimes, the bigger fight is not using them. I struggle with it until I feel the control again. He will never bother us again. He’s not the scary monster I made him out to be. He’s just an old ex-con.
I throw on jeans and a T-shirt. Before I leave, I kiss Emma on the temple. She stirs, her smile turning into a frown when she sees me. “Why are you dressed?”
“I’m going to fetch us coffee and some chow.”
“That sounds good.”
Her hand caresses my cheek. I lean into it, drawing comfort.
I walk out, but not before turning to drink her in once more. God, I love this girl. I cross four lanes of traffic. He’s sitting in a back booth. He sees me, too. He smiles waving me over as if this is a normal luncheon.
“Aiden, this is a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“What are you trying to do to her, Harlan? Haven’t you played enough mind games to last a lifetime?”
“Join me.” He waives the waitress over. “My son will be dining with me. Can you get him what I’m having, please?” He gestures to his omelet.
“Sure thing,” she says.
“I’m not eating.”
“Don’t worry boy, it’s on me.” Then he slaps his forehead. “I’m sorry, I forgot. My son hates potatoes. Can you skip the hash browns, sweetheart?”
Un-fucking-believable.
“Sit down, Aiden.”
“I’m not sitting down, you sick fuck.”
Everyone in the place looks at us.
“You’re making a scene. Sit down before you get arrested again.”
I slam Emma’s phone on the table. “What the fuck kind of mind game are you playing? How did you get her number?”
He shrugs. “I have my ways.” There is glee in his eyes. He’s so proud of himself, he has to tell me. “She let me borrow her phone when I called the station. I don’t pretend to be an expert on all this new-fangled technology, but I can memorize a number off a contacts list. Your own number is always first.”
“Leave us alone, Harlan. You’ve fucked up my life enough.”
His eyebrow climbs. “I have?” He gestures his butter knife between the two of us. “I think it’s the other way around. Do you know what they do to cops in prison, Aiden?”
“No, but I’ve had a lot of fun imagining it over the years.” I sit across from him and wedge my foot against his ankle. “I’ll fucking kill you, old man.”
He winces. I press deeper. “Where the fuck is your bracelet? Does your PO know you crossed the county line?”
“They took it off at the hospital.” He drops his fork. “Stop, please. You’re cutting off my circulation.”
I lift my foot, but keep some pressure on him as a warning. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“I had to warn her about you.”
“You’re here because your plan didn’t work the first time? Unlike everyone in that damn town, she doesn’t believe you, you sick fuck.”
This is what Harlan does. He pricks holes in your head until your brain is Swiss cheese. He’s like the fucking redneck version of Hannibal Lector.
“Between the two us, I think you’re the sick fuck.”
“She knows everything, Harlan.”
“She knows she’s fucking her brother?” He pauses to let the drama of his statement sink in. I roll my eyes. “I always thought you were a fag. It turns out you’re into incest. Who knew?”
“You’re not my father.”
His mouth drops in surprise. “You found out.”
“Yeah, I found out a lot of stuff.”
“Good for you, Aiden.”
“You’re gonna get in your truck and turn your ass around. I’ll call your PO and let him know you’re on your way home.”
“I loved your mama.”
“Shut the fuck up. You’ve never loved anyone.”
“I did. I swear it. I loved her so much I was willing to take on her bastard son. But all she kept talking about was this other fucking man. You have any idea how hard it is to listen to the woman you love mourn another man?”
I press down on his foot again. “I’m not here to stroll down nightmare lane, Harlan. You’re outmatched in every way, so just admit defeat and leave us be.”
“You need to understand what happened.”
The frustration is agonizing. Why the fuck won’t he shut up. Why am I still here? Why is he still breathing? Why am I allowing him to breathe? “You married her for the trust fund.”
“I figured it was my due. You killed her when you came into this world. I deserved something for being saddled with her bastard kid. I knew you were the devil’s spawn from the start.”
I stomp my foot over his. “I just finished telling you I wasn’t your son, idiot.”
He takes a deep breath. “I’m glad you showed up instead of my daughter.”
“She’s not your fucking daughter.”
“She has my DNA. Mine and Amy’s. How does it feel to fuck a part of me? Do you get off on it?”
“There is nothing about her that comes from you.” I press harder. His face turns red. “I will kill you with a fucking butter knife if you ever talk about her again.”
He raises his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, let me go. I will leave.”
I ease off.
My food arrives with a cup of coffee. I shove it to the side. The waitress glances between the two of us. “Is everything all right here?”
“Just peachy, darling.” Harlan answers. “Son and I are just reminiscing.”
She glances between us once more before she leaves. His psychobabble has exhausted me.
“I want you to do something for me, Aiden.”
This is the most ridiculous conversation I’ve ever had. I almost laugh.
“Why the fuck would I do anything for you?”
“Come home. I’ve been missing you for these past twelve years. I’ve been doing a lot of imagining, myself. I think it’s time we had ourselves a nice family reunion. It’s long overdue.”
“Have you gone insane? I am never stepping foot in Linx again. After today, I’ll make sure you never step out of it.”
“Boy, I admire your conviction.” He wipes his mouth and slides out of the booth. “But you will come home. You remember the address, right?” He’s limping, but he keeps walking. He stops the waitress. “Honey, my son will get the bill. Isn’t it nice to have a kid who respects a parent these days?”
I can’t fucking do it. I’m gonna chase him. I will kill him. I will lose Emma, but she’ll be safe from him. Emma’s phone buzzes on the table. All those thoughts disappear as my world goes black.
It’s a picture of Emma bound and gagged inside of what looks like a van.
I walked straight into his fucking trap.
I run outside, but it’s too late.
Harlan’s truck squeals through the parking lot. He slams on the brakes in front of me.
“If you hurt her…”
“Shut up, Aiden. I’m done with your threats. Here are some promises. If you call the cops or any of your military buddies, I will carve up her pretty face like a Christmas ham.” He smiles at me, baring his teeth. I am helpless once more. “See you at home, son. Drive carefully. These are some rough roads.”
Car horns blare as I run through four lanes of traffic. My motel key jams in the lock before I finally get the door open. I pray Emma is in there and this is a cruel joke. Another horrible nightmare I am having.
But the bed is empty. The sheets are strewn on the floor and a lamp is shattered. I see drops of blood. Emma fought whoever took her. I pray this is his blood.
I grab my keys and run toward my car. My heart stops again when I see the four slashed tires of my SUV. He’s trying to slow me down. He wants time to set up. This is Harlan’s revenge. It’s going to be slow and painful. He wants a showdown.
Hang on, angel. I’m coming for you.