Only my daughter behind me, and a man reaching into this wreckage to take her.
I claw at his hands already bandaged.
I kick, twist, and bite any body part I can reach.
He curses and jerks back.
For one beautiful second, I think I’ve bought us time.
Then something sharp pinches my arm.
A sting.
Small.
Quick.
Terrifying.
“No,” I gasp.
The world tilts.
Not slowly, either. All at once.
“Mama!” Livy screams.
I try to turn toward her.
I try to grab her.
My fingers brush her sleeve, then slip away.
No.
No, please.
Not my baby.
The man reaches past me.
Livy fights him. I hear her little shoes kicking against the seat. Hear her crying. Hear her shouting for Maverick, for me, for Stefano.
My body won’t move.
My mouth won’t form words.
The dark shape bends over me, and for one impossible second, something shifts just enough for me to see the edge of a smile.
Familiar.
Wrong.
Gone before I can name it.
“You should have come to me,” he says quietly.
My heart stops.
