I nod and reach into my back pocket, pulling out a watch I had Joslyn swing by a store and get for me. “This watch has lots of fun features, and I’ve given the instruction book to Gigi, but the most important thing is that you can call me or your mom anytime you want on our cell phones right from the watch.”
“Wow!” she exclaims and then demands I teach her how to use it.
I tap on the watch screen, show her the contacts, and she presses my name.
My phone rings and I stand up, fishing it out of my other pocket.
Answering, I say, “Hello, world’s greatest uncle speaking.”
My voice comes through clearly on Thea’s watch, and she giggles. “Hi, Uncle Dozer. It’s Thea.”
“Well hello, Thea. How are you doing?” I ask jovially.
“Going on a trip to California with Gigi.”
I stare at her as she holds her watch up to her mouth, and a rush of love and affection courses through me. “I hope you have the best time.”
“I’ll miss you, though,” she says after a pause.
“Going to miss you too,” I assure her. “And don’t tell your mom I told you this, but when you get back, we’re going to Disney World.”
Of course, Jess hears that and turns to shoot me an exasperated look.
Thea giggles and whispers into the watch. “It will be our secret.”
Stepping toward her, I hold out my hand, my smallest finger curled. “Pinky promise.”
“Pinky promise,” she agrees, latching her tiny one to mine.
Disconnecting the call, I shove my phone back in my pocket and pick Thea up in my arms. I hug her tight and carry her to the Suburban.
Jess pulls away from her mom, runs a hand over Thea’s head, and once again with tears threatening to spill, says, “I love you, baby.”
“Love you too, Mommy.”
Kellen opens the door, Claire scoots in, and then I place Thea in the car seat. I buckle her belt for her, then step back to let Jess push her way in to kiss her daughter one more time.
When it becomes apparent that Jess is struggling, I pull her back by the shoulders and Kellen shuts the door. She turns into me and rests her head on my shoulder as Kellen puts the SUV in gear.
I wrap my arm around her waist and hold her tight, hearing her sniffle. “They’ll be fine.”
“I know,” she says. “But now it starts to get real.”
“Now it starts to get real,” I agree. “But Thea and Claire are safe, you’re safe, and I promise… I’ll be back safe to you soon.”
Jess tips her head to me, eyes glistening, and I can’t stand to see her in pain. For a second, I reconsider my plan. Maybe I should just take Jess, Claire, and Thea, and we go live in another country with new identities. We could leave Borovsky behind and start our lives over again.
“I have faith in you,” she whispers, lifting to give me a soft kiss. “If there’s anyone in the world I’d pick to protect me and my family, it’s you and only you. You’ve got this.”
I’m surprised that she seems fully accepting of the plan, but it fortifies my resolve to see it through.
“Come on,” I say, the taillights receding from view as Kellen heads to the exit. “Let’s go upstairs for some dinner and a nice bottle of wine. I think we both need it.”
CHAPTER 16
Jessica
Dozer has been gone less than an hour—flying to Miami with the Jameson team—and I’ve practically worn the carpet thin with my pacing. I was not prepared for the surge of emotion that hit me as we kissed goodbye down in the garage, the same place that Kellen left with my mom and Thea just last night.
I thought I would be okay. I thought I could handle it.
Last night after Kellen left, Dozer was able to take my mind off things. It wasn’t with hot kisses or blistering orgasms. We had a simple dinner in his apartment—sandwiches and chips—and shared a bottle of wine. We tried not to talk about all the heavy and scary things hanging over us. We even found reasons to laugh.
After dinner, I half expected him to lead me to the bedroom, but instead he led me to the couch. He picked a movie—one of my favorites—and we cuddled together watching Thor: Ragnarok.
I don’t know how many movies Dozer and I have watched together over the years. Sometimes at the movie theater, sometimes at my mom’s, sometimes at my house. We always sat near each other on the couch, sharing popcorn and making stupid commentary.
But not last night.
Last night he stretched behind me, holding me close and offering me his strong arm as a pillow. He would stroke my hip and, every once in a while, kiss the back of my head. But otherwise, we got lost in the movie, and it couldn’t have been any more perfect. I needed some semblance of normalcy, and I needed his comfort by way of his strong arms around me.