“Get him inside,” Margaux hissed.
Philip shoved Daniel forward, pulling him upright before he could stumble. “Nothing funny,” the bodyguard whispered in his ear.
A witty retort died on Daniel’s tongue at the first glimpse of Emma, curled up in the fetal position on the floor. An unbidden cry tore from his throat.
Emma flinched, curling in tighter.
Had she been beaten? Hurt? “Emma,” he called, the name part prayer and part sob.
Philip shoved Daniel to the center of the room and pushed him to the ground. “Get her up,” Philip barked.
Chad scrambled toward her.
Her whimper echoed off the walls.
Daniel growled. “Touch her and die.”
“Calm down, lover boy,” Chad said, squatting to lift Emma by the armpits. He dragged her to a seated position. “You’re hardly in a position for demands.” He stood, dusting his hands together. “Darling, what’s your plan? Do you have another set of handcuffs?”
Margaux shook her head. “This is all wrong. Why are you here? I was handling this.” She waved a gun in the air.
Chad chuckled and approached his wife, one languid step at a time. He moved like a wild, predatory cat. When he stroked his wife’s check, she flinched. He grabbed her weapon.
It’s all an act. He’ll capture her.
Chad met Daniel’s gaze, but the cold stare held no emotion. “Philip, do you have zip ties?”
Philip grunted and secured Daniel’s wrists together behind his back. The bodyguard shoved Daniel to the ground. Plastic crinkled as Philip used another zip tie to attach Daniel to Emma.
“Good. Nice and secure,” Chad said. “Oh, what a pair they make. So charming. Darling, do you remember our early days? We were like that. Until that honeymoon fight when you confessed everything.”
Margaux shuddered. “I thought I could. I thought you loved me. I thought you’d understand and protect me.”
“No one loves you that much.” Chad brushed hair behind Margaux’s ear. “When’s the last time you snuck out? You can be honest. I’ve already interrogated your security. Really had to rake Todd over the coals.”
“Is he…alive?” Margaux choked on the words, shaking.
Daniel wasn’t sure if he should feel heartened that she cared about someone or not. He prayed a shred of humanity lingered in her. What had happened all those years ago? Had Chad prompted her killing spree now? Was he in cahoots with her the whole time to protect his campaign? Her anguish at her husband’s appearance wasn’t reassuring.
“Too funny. That’s your trick, pet. Not mine,” Chad said. “But I have fired him for cavorting with you. Never mind that. Let’s give them a moment alone. To say their goodbyes.” He chuckled and strode out of the room, dragging Margaux by the elbow.
Daniel almost shouted after Chad to let Margaux go. And then what? Let Margaux kill them? Daniel had a few precious moments with Emma. He wouldn’t waste them.
No farewells. Not now and never again. Daniel would fight for her and for them. This didn’t end here. He’d get justice for Liz and Owen. He’d find closure for Emma. And he’d embrace his future.
Seventeen
Emma faced the door, watching it close through the haze she couldn’t quite shake. Her head ached, pain throbbing in her temples. Shackles claimed her wrists, immobilizing her arms. Tension shot through her shoulders at the awkward position, every muscle screaming in agony. Behind her, she had support.
Warmth rolled off Daniel at the points where their skin met. His loud, even breath echoed in the shed. If she focused on the sound, she could inhale and exhale almost normally, preventing a crushing attack. Sorrow mixed with the physical aches. “Daniel, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he murmured. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight.”
“And then what?” A chortle slipped out. “How could you have prevented this? She’s got back up. This whole time, she’s been trying to take us out. And we hiked right into her trap. Willingly.”
“No, I don’t think that’s quite it,” he murmured.
What did the specifics matter? They’d reach the same end no matter the details. “I need to tell you that I was wrong. I was hurt and grieving, and I decided I had to leave everything and everyone behind. And that included you. Is there a world where we had a fair chance?”
