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Chapter 46
Remy
Days passed, until Friday afternoon hung above Remy like a dark cloud. Mikel hadn’t tried to contact her, or his daughter. Lyra carefully picked up the note he’d left for her by her bed and kissed it.
Oh, baby. Her heart ached. She did it several times a day, and it never got easier. “Read Daddy’s letter to me one more time, Mommy?” she asked, as they snuggled together.
Remy took the paper and began to read as she fought back tears. “Baby girl, I love you more than all the stars in the sky. You know that’s an enormous amount, right? I have to go away for a little while, but I promise I’ll be back soon. Be a good girl for Mommy. She’ll need extra hugs and kisses. I love you with everything, Lyra. See you soon. Daddy.”
Remy swallowed the emotions that burned her throat as Lyra wrapped her small arms around her and squeezed. Remy hugged her daughter back, drawing peace from her little body. At least she had her baby. She’d done it once before without Mikel and she’d do it again.
She glanced at the clock: three p.m. Was Mikel in a hotel room with June? Was he on a bender? She’d called Bently and Andre to let them know that Mikel might be spiraling. Bently had been vague on the phone but assured her that Mikel was with him and that he’d take care of it.
The washer buzzed to let her know it was time to switch the load of laundry. “I’ll be right back, honey.” Remy walked to the bathroom as the wind swept the lace curtain, revealing a man walking towards their front door.
Remy’s hand flew to her mouth as she gasped and dove out of view. Her back was against the wall. Adrenaline burned her veins. The man approaching her house was a fair bit older now, but she’d recognize that scar and his face anywhere. Joe Canoby. What was he doing here? He’s supposed to be in jail. Was he looking for Mikel? Remy’s blood turned to ice.
No.
He was here to finish the job.
Murder.
Remy grabbed her phone from her pocket before dialing emergency services with trembling hands as her doorbell rang.
“Operator, what’s your emergency?”
“Th-there’s a man at my house. He’s going to kill me. My daughter is here.” She rattled off the address and shoved the phone in her back pocket, not listening for anything else. She needed to hide her daughter. There was no way she was letting that man anywhere near Lyra. Remy rushed into the little girl’s room.
“Mommy? What’s wrong?” Lyra asked, tears welling in her eyes.
Remy picked her up off the bed and ran to the only place she thought the deranged man might not look—somewhere her daughter’s cries would be muffled. “We have to hide you. I need you to be very quiet. No matter what you hear, promise me you won’t make a sound. Stay here until Uncle Bently or Daddy comes to get you.”
She opened the dryer and put her inside. It would just be for a short while; help was on the way. She had to hold him off long enough.
“Take my phone. The light and the lady on the phone will keep you company.”
The doorbell rang again, followed by loud banging. There was no time to escape.
“I don’t want to, Mommy. I’m scared.” Lyra clung to her.
“Sshhhh. It’s a game. There’s a dragon trying to get in the castle, and Daddy is going to come and save you. But right now I’m the only knight to protect you.”
Remy kissed her daughter, praying it wouldn’t be for the last time, and said the most important words she could think of. “I love you, Lyra, more than all the stars in the universe.” Her body screamed at her to comfort her child. The terror in those little brown eyes and the banging on the door tore her in two directions.
Protect her.
Remy shut her daughter in as a loud sound rocked the house. The door must have been nearly off its hinges.
Weapon.
She needed something to defend herself with. The only thing between Lyra and this psychopath was her.
Remy ran to the kitchen and reached for a kitchen knife from the counter at the sound of wood splintering behind her. She gripped the cool metal as she was thrust to the ground, the knife clattering out of her reach.
“Oof!”
A heavy weight pinned her to the ground sideways as pain radiated from her hip. The smell of stale smoke and sweat turned her stomach. His face landed only inches from her arm. She bent her elbow and swung with all her might, hitting him square in the eye.
