Chapter 23
Charlotte
I was breathing hard while I sat in the dark, blindfolded in the back of the van. The guy had been gone from the van for several minutes and I had no idea what was going on. I couldn’t hear anything. I had no clue where we were either. I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore, they came flooding down my cheeks.
Suddenly, I heard the lock on the outside of the door being smashed. I tried to scream but no voice came out. One side of the door opened and I tried to pull against my zip tie.
“No! Please!” I yelled, afraid of what he was going to do next. If he was back, without Lincoln or dad…it meant that he was going to do something else with me. I felt hands on my face, my blindfold being pulled away.
It was only when the bright sun hit my eyes that I also heard the voice.
“Charlotte…it’s okay. I’m Lincoln’s friend. From the Canyon Hollow Clan.”
I blinked rapidly, and when his face came into vision—I realized I believed him. He wasn’t lying.
There was another guy with him, who slid out a knife and cut the zip tie around my wrists.
“I’m Jackson,” the first guy said with a smirk. “How are you feeling?” he asked. I could barely breathe, but I nodded. Now that Lincoln and his friends had found me, I was going to be okay.
“Are they okay? Lincoln and my dad?” I asked and Jackson nodded.
“We’re going to take you home right now, okay? Away from all this,” he said.
“No. I’m not leaving. Not without Lincoln.” I said, as he tried to drag me out of the van.
That was when we heard a loud growl.
I screamed “No!”
Someone was fighting, in the park.
I wrestled against the men who were trying to hold me back.
“No! I have to go and see. I have to stop this madness! No!” I was crying while Jackson held me back.
“Whatever is happening there, you don’t need to see it. Lincoln would want us to take you home,” Jackson insisted. I shook my head, crying and banging my fists into his arms.
“Let me go…please, let me go!” I screamed.
“Let her go.”
We heard the voice. Jackson looked over his shoulder and I looked straight ahead, to see Lincoln walking towards us.
“Lincoln!” I screamed. Jackson released me and I slipped away from him, running straight into Lincoln’s arms.
He lifted me up, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” he asked, as I kissed his forehead and his cheeks.
“Yes, I’m fine now. He didn’t hurt me,” I replied.
Lincoln lowered me gently down to the ground and held me close to himself.
“I was worried something happen! I heard the growls,” I said and he knocked his forehead to mine and shook his head.
“It was nothing, don’t worry about it,” he said and stroked my hair.
“Where is he? The man who was holding me?” I asked.
“We have him. My men have taken him away. We’re going to figure out what to do with him.”
“I don’t hate him. Even though he kidnapped me and he wanted money from dad, somehow, I don’t hate him, Lincoln. Please don’t kill him,” I said.
He pulled me to himself again and I placed my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beating.
“No, we’re not going to kill him. But we’ll have to send him away, make sure he never gets anywhere close to you or your family again,” Lincoln said.
While we were still embracing, I saw dad walking towards us. He had a dazed expression on his face, like he couldn’t believe it was actually me.
“Charlotte!” he shouted. I gently pulled away from Lincoln’s arms, then looked up at him. Lincoln smiled.
“He knows, I told him. Sorry, I know you wanted to tell him yourself, but he’d figured it out,” Lincoln said to me.
I looked over at dad who was stalking his way towards us now. He still looked like he was in shock.
“Dad…I’m all right,” I said, walking towards him. One hand was on my belly. I still felt the need to protect this baby, to keep it safe.
He wrapped his arms around me and I could feel him shaking with emotion.
“I’m fine dad, he didn’t hurt me,” I said.
“I thought I lost you. I thought I’d never see you again, my baby!” he said, shaking his head. For the first time, I witnessed dad being close to tears.
“I’m all right, dad. I’m here now, you don’t have to worry,” I said.
“Charlotte, I’m sorry for all these rules, for all the things I made you do. For not letting you lead your life. You have to know, your happiness means everything to me. The money, the club, my friends…none of that even comes close!” he continued.
I could sense Lincoln standing behind me now and I looked over my shoulder at him.
“I wanted to tell you dad, but I didn’t know how. Lincoln and I met five months ago, and…and…” I said. Dad was smiling and he nodded.
“I know, he’s going to be the father of your child. Nothing could make me happier. There isn’t another man I know who deserves you more,” dad said.
I couldn’t help but cry when I heard those words. I never thought I would actually hear him say it. It meant everything to me.
I hugged dad and then I was in Lincoln’s arms again. We kissed, and just before he led me to his bike so he could take me home, he whispered in my ear.
“You’re mine now, Charlotte. I will do anything to keep you safe.”
I believed him.