ADELINE

 

JAMES CLOSES THE store with a sign in the window indicating that it will be closed until further notice.  And then him, Laura and their two kids pack up and leave for New York.

I told James that I didn't know if I would be here when he returned, and he told me to call as soon as I figured out what I decide to do.

I don't think his mother told him all the details of why I was running and needed a place to hide, but I'm sure James is putting two and two together now because of the obvious coincidences.  I think he knows the break-in at his mom's place is somehow connected to me, but he didn't make me feel guilty about it or even accuse me of anything.

He should have, however.  Because it's all my fault.

Somehow, someway someone found a connection between Barbara and me and the fact that she helped me escape and hide.  I just know it.

But who?

The most likely suspect is Giovanni since my father is currently in prison, but I don't know why Gio would be coming after me.  It just doesn't make sense, unless…he knows something that I don't.

He and my father shared a lot of secrets, so I wouldn't put it past him.

Maybe there is something he wants or needs from me.

I don't know, but I'm not sticking around to find out.  With a protective hand caressing my baby bump, I whisper, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

I gather the rest of my minimal belongings, stuffing them into the same duffle bag I used the first time I ran.

Checking the time on my watch, it's a little after five.  I have a bus to catch at five-thirty, so I'm right on schedule.  I'm heading as far out west as I can, and then I'll figure things out from there.

One step at a time, I tell myself.

Sighing, I glance around the room.  I didn't get to stay here long, but it felt like I belonged here.  It truly did feel like a home.  And I'm saddened by the fact that I may never be able to return again.

My eyes flicker over the pile of cash and thank you card I left on the bed for James to find when he comes home.  It's the least I could do considering all the help he gave me…and all the trouble I caused him and his family.

I'll make it up to Barbara too as soon as I can; no matter how long it takes.

I still have plenty of money left to tide me over for the next few months, but I'll need to find a place to live and work soon.  I want to find somewhere I feel safe, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever find it.

Taking one last glance, I step into the hall, shut the door behind me and descend down the steps.  The house is shrouded in near darkness except for the kitchen light.  I move quickly, double-checking the cabinets and making sure I'm not leaving anything important behind.

I flick off the kitchen light and move through the darkness towards the front door.

"Going somewhere, Princess?" says a deep voice that stops me dead in my tracks and sends a chill up my spine.

The duffle bag slips from my hand and falls to the floor with a loud thump in the quiet house.

"W-who —?" I start, but then I can hear footsteps coming towards me, and I take a few steps back.

I turn to run, but the man is too fast.  He grabs me from behind, pinning me against his hard chest.  "Adeline," he whispers in my ear, and I cringe.

Giovanni!

My mouth opens, and a scream tears from my throat.  His hand quickly clamps over my mouth, and I struggle against his hold.  That very hand pulled the trigger and took everything away from me.

I clamp my teeth down, biting into his flesh, and he releases me with a curse.  Running towards the back door, I make it a few feet before I'm grabbed again.

"Now, now, Princess.  Is that anyway to greet me?"  He holds me tight against him, constricting me like the snake he is.  "I've been looking for you.  And trust me when I say, it hasn't been easy for me since everything has gone to shit."  Leaning towards my ear, he whispers, "Because of you."

"Good," I seethe, causing a dark chuckle to escape his lips.

"I see The Wolf taught you how to fight.  Is that what he liked?  Did it get his rocks off?" he hisses.

Just the mention of Lucien has all the fight in me fleeing.  "You…You k-killed him," I choke out.

"Yes," he says, slowly releasing me.  I move away from him and press against the kitchen cabinets.

Light filters through the kitchen after he flicks on a nearby switch.  I squint from the sudden brightness, and then force myself to look at the man who changed my life forever and took the only good thing in my life away from me.

"Why?" I ask him, and it's a loaded question.  I want to know so many things right now.  Why he hurt Barbara.  Why he's here.  Why he's been hunting me down.

"If you're wondering why I'm here, it's because you didn't fulfill your end of the bargain," he tells me simply.

The gears in my head turn, trying to make sense of his statement.  "You don't mean…"  My eyes snap up to meet his.  "You still want me to marry you?" I ask as if it's the most absurd thing I've ever heard in my life.  And quite frankly, it is after all that's happened between us.  "I will never marry you, Giovanni."

"I thought maybe you'd say that," he says, sneering.  "But I have ways of making you comply to what I want," he threatens.

Tears fill my eyes as I shake my head, but he's right.  If he threatens to harm me in any way, I will do anything he says to protect my baby.

He opens his arms and gestures with his hands for me to come to him.  When I don't move, he tells me, "You can't escape, Adeline.  I have guards surrounding the house.  There's nowhere you can go where I won't find you.  You have to know that deep down."

His fingers make a come-hither motion once more, and I cringe with how much I detest him.  Reluctantly, I step forward and release a sob when he enfolds me in his strong arms.

"That's my girl," he whispers soothingly.  "I knew you'd see things my way."  Releasing me from his hold and grabbing my hand in a tight grip, he says, "Come on.  We have a long ride ahead of us."