Chapter 67
Avery
They were trying to screw with my marriage. I calmed myself down enough to drive. I had my daughter with me, and I wasn’t going to be reckless. I drove all the way to the beach house. When we got there, I didn’t think it was possible to get angrier, but I was. Jake kept calling me, so I turned my phone off. Irene left me alone because I was still mad.
Half an hour later I saw all the cars pulling up and Landon walking up the driveway. I opened the door and looked at him.” If you tell him where I am I swear I will murder you”,
“I won’t. I’m just here to make sure you’re safe”. He said, looking at me.
Everyone left me alone. They knew I was still angry. I took care of Amelia while Irene made dinner. I called Rachel to check in on my father, Andrea and Cassy. She said they were all okay. We were about to sit down for dinner when I heard the telltale sign of the bike. I looked at Landon immediately, and he threw his hands up.
“Wasn’t me” he said. I was no longer hungry. I stood up and walked to the front door. The minute I threw open the door, he was standing there. I was about to punch him, but he grabbed my hand and threw me over his shoulder and started walking into the house.
“Put me down Jake now”. I said hitting his back, but he just kept walking. He took me straight into our room and locked the door. He put me to stand in front of him, and he pulled his helmet off. He grabbed me and kissed me. It was almost desperate.
“I’m sorry Princess. I’m so sorry”, he said, holding on to me.
“Let me go Jake”, I said, trying to pull away from him, but he wouldn’t let me go.
“I’m sorry, princess, please. They’re not my mother and sister”, he said quietly, and I looked at him. I stopped fighting him. He let go of me and looked at me.
“What do you mean”? I asked, looking at him.
I listened as he told me what James told him and what he overheard them saying.
“Wait, so if she’s not your mother and Leila isn’t your sister, who are they, and how do they know so much about you? How did the result come back positive”? I asked him.
“I don’t know love. That’s what I need to investigate. I’m worried that they may know where my real mother and sister are and may hurt them”, he said, and I could see that he was really worried.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry princess. I’m sorry for making you feel like you couldn’t trust me. I’m sorry for making you feel unsafe in our own home”, he said, looking at me, and it dawned on me. I kept looking at him. His first instinct after he heard them was to come after me. He kept apologizing to me when he didn’t even do anything, and I was the one that acted irrational. I kept looking at him.
“What is it love”? He asked me.
“How much do you love me Jake”?
“More than my next breath”, he said. I caressed his face.
“Next time talk to me. I wasn’t angry at you. I was angry at them. I know you sent Landon after me. So you know what they said to me and why I got angry. I don’t want them in our home, Jake. I’m not worried about myself, but I’m worried about our daughter. From what you just said, that means they’re after money or something else and will do anything to get it. Please. Can we let them stay over at my house. There are cameras, and we can keep an eye on them”, I asked.
“Okay” he said, hugging me and burying his face in the crook of my neck. I ran my hands through his hair.
“Talk to me Jake. I’m right here”,
“I love you. You are my everything, and now we have Amelia and both of you are my entire world. I am going to screw up sometimes. Please don’t leave”, he said quietly.
Here I was worried that he would find someone better at some point and decide to leave me, and he was worried about me leaving.
“I’m not leaving Jake, ever. You’re stuck with me babe. Come on. I know you haven’t eaten. Come eat and take a shower, and we’ll spend the night here. I’ll let Landon call Teo to keep an eye on them and Andrea and Cassy”.
“Thank you love”, he said, looking at me.
Jake
After she watched me and made sure I ate. I took a shower, and we were sitting outside with Amelia. The sun was starting to set. I was worried about this situation. I knew I loved her. I had never been worried about her leaving me until today. The way she reacted scared me and, truth be told, I was scared she wouldn’t return. That’s why I sent Landon after her.
“Stop thinking Jake. I’m right here”, she said.
I looked at Amelia and I knew what I had to do. We ended up going back home around midnight. She didn’t bring any clothes for Amelia, and she said she didn’t want to stay. When we got back home it was close to one in the morning. Leila and Renauta were sitting in the living room. The minute they saw us, they stood up. Avery kept walking with Amelia. She didn’t look at them or stop.
“Avery, we’re sorry” Leila said, stopping her in her tracks. She turned and looked at me for a few minutes, then kept walking.
“Jake, you’re back late. We were waiting for you. A man came earlier. His name was Shawn I think”, Renauta said.
“I’ll call him. In the meantime, you’ll both stay next door. Teo will take you over”, I said, heading to my office. I left them standing there. Once in my office, I called Shawn and spoke to him. Half an hour later she came into my office and sat down.
“How are we going to do this, Jake”?
“We’ll keep an eye on them. I’ll have Landon get me someone, anyone that can get into their phones so we can find out who they’re in contact with”, I said.
“Okay. I’m just assuming, here Jake, but what if they try to get me? I mean it has to be money right. They’re doing this for money. What other reason would there be”? She asked, and I knew she was right.
“Okay. Landon stays with you and Amelia”, I said, looking at her.
I heard a knock on the door. The door opened and Teo came in. “Boss they’re already over at the house. Rachel took them to their rooms”,
“Okay. Teo find me a hacker or something. I want to know who they’re talking to and meeting”,
“Okay boss”, he said.
Avery
When I woke up the next morning, I took care of Amelia and headed down to breakfast. “Some men will be here later in the day to make the gate in the wall. Landon will take care of it”. He said
“Okay, Amelia has a checkup today”, I said.
“Okay. I’ll go with you then head to the office”, he said, playing with Amelia.
“Hmm Jake”?
“Yes Love”?
“What if we kidnapped them? I asked, looking at him. Landon and Irene looked at me.
“Meaning”? He asked, sitting back in the chair and looking at me.
“Well, most people, when they get kidnapped, they’re scared out of their minds right, and they’ll tell you everything you want to know. Maybe we can get something out of them in that way. I want them out of our lives. The faster, the better”. I said.
“Hold off on that. Let me speak to James first”, he said. I saw Leila walking into the dining room smiling. I stood up and picked my daughter up and walked past her.
She tried talking to me, but I just ignored her. I headed upstairs and got dressed. I got Amelia dressed and grabbed her bag for our visit to the doctor. When I got back downstairs, Leila was sitting in the living room.
The minute she saw me she stood up. “Avery wait please”, she said. I stopped and looked at her.
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to offend you with my words. It’s just that Mom missed Natha… I mean Jake, she missed his entire childhood and wanted a do-over, and she felt she would get that chance with her granddaughter”, she said.
“She didn’t miss it because of anyone, she missed it because she abandoned him. If he wants a do-over, then let her have another child, or you can give her a grandchild”, I said, walking out the door.
“Landon?. I’m ready to leave for Amelia’s appointment”, I said. Landon came out of the kitchen and took my bag and headed out.
“I’ll follow in my car, princess”, I heard Jake say.
On the way to the doctors. I was formulating a plan.
“Landon, when we get back home, get the laptops connected. I want to know what those two are doing in my house”,
“Yes Mrs. Woods” he said, smiling.