Chapter 11
Dani strolled around the grounds with the girls in their stroller smiling brightly as they cooed. They were getting big, and she fell more in love with them each and every day. They were almost three months old and as the weather warmed, she enjoyed taking them out for short strolls to get them all out of the house but safely.
She and Luke were planning a very low-key anniversary this year because they wanted to celebrate with the girls, just a simple night at home with their closest friends and family. Joan was likely headed their way right now to help her narrow down the guest list some more but mostly to spend time with the girls. Everyone loved them but she knew no one could possibly love them more than her. She’d lay down her life for them without hesitation.
Dani turned the corner and bent down to tuck the blanket back around GG. As she straightened, she heard a noise that had her looking around before her heart stopped. She slipped her hand into her pocket and unlocked her phone hitting the panic button that would alert Brad and the security team, praying they got to her before Felix did.
“Where’s my daughter Danielle?” he said stalking towards her.
She moved the stroller putting herself between it and Felix’s man who held the gun level with her chest. “I don’t know where they are; you should leave before anyone realizes you’re here.”
“They already know I’m here, but they won’t be talking ever again,” Felix laughed as the man beside him grinned. “Now, where is my daughter?”
“Why? Why do you want to know where she is? So, you can force her back to Florida with you?”
“She took something that’s very valuable to me and I need it back.”
“What did she take? I can get it back for you if you just leave.”
“Ah but you have something I want too and until I get them both I’m going to hold onto something of yours,” Felix said looking towards the stroller.
“No,” she cried as the man lunged at her.
Dani pushed the stroller out of the way and ran. She was not going to let that man anywhere near her girls. Not now…not ever. She ran harder until she felt a hand snake around her leg, and she fell. Her head smacked against a rock, but she fought against the sickening feeling pounding through it. She tried to crawl towards the girls, but he stopped her, kicking her over and over until she couldn’t breathe.
Her last sight was of them taking her daughters and she prayed she’d never wake up.
***
“Luke,” Lori shouted as he made his way across the lobby. He stopped turning to look up and saw the panic on her face despite the distance.
“What’s wrong?” he stated.
“Pick up line one now,” she called down to him. “Jenna, hang up the phone and let him take line one.”
Luke walked over to the desk and lifted the phone the receptionist had just hung up. He hit the line and waited for the person on the other end to explain what was making his normally calm assistant frantic. “Luke Nolan.”
“Mr. Nolan, this is Detective Shepherds with the Police Department. There’s been an accident at your home.”
“Accident…Dani…the girls…”
“Your wife’s on the way to the hospital, she’s in bad shape but that’s not all. Your wife was lying beside the stroller, but your daughters weren’t in it.”
“What do you mean they weren’t in it?” Luke demanded. “Where the hell are my children?”
“Until your wife wakes up, we’re going to have to assume they were taken.”
“God…where’s Brad? He’s the head of the security detail at our home.”
“He along with two others were found shot to death inside the gatehouse.”
Luke let the phone drop out of his hand, clattering down onto the base as he bolted for the door. He didn’t remember how he got to the hospital, and he probably didn’t want to; all he could think about was what would happen if he lost Dani and the girls for good. He hit the emergency room doors and raced in towards the desk.
“Where’s my wife?” he stated.
“Her name?” the nurse asked not looking up.
“Danielle Nolan…oh for the love of god!” he shouted drawing attention towards him.