AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Grabbing the sheet of paper from his outstretched hand, I turn it over in my hands. “Thank you. I didn’t realize I even had anything in my back pocket.”
“No worries,” the man nods his head, turning to head back the other way. “Have a good rest of your day!”
“You as well,” I call out after him, trying to figure out what I would have left in the back pocket of these pants.
The paper is crumpled, but not so much that the writing is unreadable. My name is scrawled across the front in handwriting I haven’t seen in a long, long time. My hands shake as I open the letter in Declan’s writing.
Kitty Cat,
Meet me on the roof just after midnight. I have a song for you.
Love,
Declan
Instead of taking a walk down memory lane, the alarm bells in my head start going off at the forgery in my hands. This isn’t an old note from Declan, it’s a fake. He wouldn’t have played me a song on the roof, it would have been on the dock in the park. He never signed his letters with love or with Declan.
Turning around, I search the halls for the only one I know that could be responsible for this; Kevin.
Looking back down at the note, I turn it over and over, trying to figure out what he’s telling me with this fucking note. He either wanted to shake me up, or this means more than that and it’s him trying to set up something.
Walking slower, I whip my head back and forth, checking every open room, every hallway, and every door on my way to the NICU. Before I can reach my guys and the babies, I see him. Darting out the doors to the parking lot by the NICU ward.
Running out after him, I watch him jump in his car, flashing me a grin that sends fear shooting down my spine.
No, this isn’t happening. He’s not fucking getting away from me this time. Running towards his car, ignoring the pain in between my hips, I desperately try to catch up to him before he can leave.
He pulls out of the spot, crooking his finger at me to taunt me then speeding off. I stop once he leaves, cursing and gasping for breath. There's a box sitting in the parking spot that his car just left and I know it’s for me. Kevin is in his end game and as much as I know what he’s doing, I play right into his fucking plan.
I’m tired of not knowing what’s going to happen. I’m tired of him having all the control.
The box is addressed to me, this time in his handwriting instead of the fake Declan writing. Opening it up, I pull out another note, this one covered with cut up red rose petals.
Tick tock, little Layna. This ends today.
Meet me at your bar. If you tell anyone, I’ll know and it won’t end well for the twins or Hudson.
Meet me alone or forfeit their lives.
-J
Instead of tears or sadness, an unbridled rage burns through my body. He wants to end this, fucking fine. Let’s fucking end this. Him and me.
The irony that this is what I was pissed at Hudson for doesn’t escape me. If any of the guys did what I’m about to do, I would lose it. If it keeps them alive, then fuck it, I’ll be the hypocrite. He threatened out fucking children. I will not let that go.
It’s all been brewing to this moment, this showdown. Him or me. Only one of us will get to walk away.
Rhys
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Larsen. Hopefully in another day or two we can revisit having them go home,” Dr. Harpen says with a small tight smile. “They were doing so well, but until we see their bilirubin levels come down again, they’ll need the lights and possibly the feeding tubes.”
“That’s okay. Thank you again, Dr. Harpen.” Turning to Adam, I groan and drop my head. “I was so hopeful that today was the day.”
“Me too,” Adam sighs, looking in at Avery under the UV blanket. “We’ll have to let Lay know. I’m surprised she isn’t here yet. Must have gotten caught up with Dot in Riggs’ room.”
“Since the twins need rest and the nurses need to set up the feeding tubes again, let’s head over there and let Lay know.”
Adam nods and stands up, blowing kisses at the twins then following me out of the NICU. We discard the medical gowns and gloves on our way out and head towards Riggs’ room.
