Page 18 of Finding English

Chapter 8

With Michaela tucked safely in his arms and a blanket thrown over the sleeping child, Henry walked up the steps of his parent’s home with Cassie beside him. This wasn’t the way he envisioned this happening, but nothing about the latter part of the evening had been.

A myriad of emotions skirted through him as he thought of what Cassie had been through, was still going through, thanks to the evil and depraved mind of another. That she had hidden it from them all was a testament to her strength but also her bravery. She’d fought to have a normal life for her child. Overcome so many things alone to build a beautiful life, and now this sick fucker was trying to tear it all down.

Well, not on his fucking watch. He’d fight with every tool in his arsenal to make sure Cassie and Michaela were safe. He’d meant it when he’d called her his. Her and Michaela were both stealing Henry’s heart, one beat at a time, and he had no intention of taking it back. He wanted them in his life for eternity.

He watched as his mother and father greeted them at the door, worried looks barely hidden behind welcoming smiles.

His mother ushered them inside, and his father closed and locked the door behind them. He’d only told them something had happened and Cassie and Michaela were in danger. He’d have to tell them everything once he knew the details himself.

“Come on in and get this little one tucked up in bed, then we’ll have a nice cup of tea.”

Henry almost smiled at his mother as she went ahead of them up the stairs, moving down the hallway of the now big home. It had started as a modest three-bed farmhouse, but over the generations, families had added and extended until it was now a six-bedroom home with almost two wings to the property. His room was on the left side at the back and his parents on the right near the front. It allowed everyone their privacy while still being together.

His mum opened the door beside his, and Henry shook his head. “Give them my room, mum.”

Cassie, who’d been quiet until then, looked up at him. “We can use the spare. I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

“Cass, it isn’t an inconvenience, so get that out of your head right now. My room is bigger, and has the en-suite. It will be easier for you with Michaela.”

Her hand touched his arm. “Okay, honey.”

His mother watched the exchange, with knowing eyes before she went to his room and pulled back the comforter. “I changed the bedding yesterday, but I can change it again tomorrow.”

“Honestly, Mrs. English, it’s fine.”

“Oh, hush with the Mrs. English, call me Josie.”

Cassie smiled a wobbly smile and nodded timidly. He hated to see her so low, wanted to hunt down the bastard that had done this to her. First though, he had to make sure she was safe.

Lowering Michaela to the bed, he stepped back and let Cassie tuck her in, placing her favorite dinosaur in the bed beside her.

“Do you want to stay with her a little while?”

“Just a few minutes until I know she won’t wake scared.”

From the corner of his eyes, he saw his mum leave the room and pull the door closed. Henry took Cassie in his arms, needing to touch her as much for his own peace of mind as hers. She came readily, sliding her hands around his waist and laying her head against him.

“I thought this was over, that we were safe.”

Henry pressed his lips to her hair wanting to do anything he could to make this right for her. “We’ll find him, Cass, I promise, and then you’ll be free.”

Cassie remained silent, and he understood her reticence to believe him after her life had been ripped apart.

“Stay with Micky for a bit and come down when you’re ready. I need to make some calls and get the crime scene techs to your house.”

Cassie stepped away, sweeping her hand out to encompass the room. “Thank you for doing all this.”

“I told you, we’re in this together.”

“I’m so glad I fell into you on the plane.”

“Me too, sweetheart.” Henry backed out of the room, leaving Cassie to see to Michaela.

Walking down the stairs toward his parents’ kitchen, he took a moment to process everything that was happening. Cassie, the woman he was falling in love with, was the lone survivor of the Silk Scarf Killer. He’d known she had secrets but never in his wildest dreams had he imagine this was it.

Stepping into the kitchen, his parents looked at him with questioning eyes. “How is she, son?” His father was at the kitchen table, nursing a cup of tea.