I take in her curvy body swathed in my shirt that comes to just above her knees. "It looks much better on you." I settle back against the pillow as she heads out the door and toward Avery’s room.
Either she doesn’t trust me yet with her daughter or… Something’s still stopping her from seeing me in the role of father. On the other hand, she wore my shirt. Tiredness tugs at my senses. I fight against the sleep that wraps around my mind.
"Hey, Bubu," her voice comes through the baby monitor. There’s the rustle of fabric as she picks Avery up in her arms, no doubt. Another sleepy cry from the child, then Elsa says, "P.U. You seriously need a diaper change, Bubu."
I hear her move about the room as she gathers what she needs. Then, the sound of Velcro being pulled apart filters through the speaker, followed by, "Oh, god, Avery. That’s a poonami."
I chuckle a little and close my eyes as she clucks her tongue. Avery gurgles, then there are more sounds, before Elsa begins to hum softly. It’s a song I don’t recognize, but her voice is soothing. She continues to sing in a low voice, as darkness overwhelms me.
My eyelids snap open. I’m not sure what wakes me. I glance around the darkened room. Starlight streams in through the open curtains. "Elsa?" I reach for her, but the bed is empty. I sit up and the cover falls about my waist. "Elsa? Princess?"Did she cover me up? Where did she go?I spot the baby monitor. Of course, she went to put Avery back to sleep. Perhaps she’s still in her room? I swing my legs over the side of the bed, stand up, and head for the door, then stop.
"Cazzo!"I need to put on my clothes before I go in there. I snatch my pants from the floor, then grunt when my shoulder protests. Still, the pain seems to have settled into a dull throb, which is an improvement. I sit down on the bed and pull them on, then zip up my pants, before I head for the door. I step out into the corridor and head toward Avery’s room. I walk in and find the baby fast asleep in her crib. The nightlight is on, and the stars on the ceiling glitter in their reflected glory. There’s no sign of Elsa, though. I turn and head out the door, making sure to avoid the creaky floorboard this time. Then I duck into Elsa’s room. There’s no one there. Eh? I cross the floor to the ensuite bathroom, push open the door to find it all empty. What the—? My heartbeat speeds up. The hair on my forearms prickle. Where could she be?
I head back to my room, snatch up my phone, and that’s when I see her message, "I’m sorry, Seb."
46
Elsa
"Thank you." I push open the door of the car I called earlier using the phone that Seb gave me. The phone that Seb gave me because he trusts me. And I betrayed his trust. Again. But it’s for a good reason this time. This is the only way to put an end to the nightmare that’s been dogging my heels for the past couple of years. This is the only way to get my life back, and to get my daughter back, without hurting anyone else in the process.
I step onto the driveway that leads up to Fabio’s house. Bastard's an insomniac. Bet he's still awake, plotting more ways to make my life miserable. The car that drove me here pulls away. Its engine fades into the distance, and then there’s only me and the still, dark night around me.
I hummed to Avery until she fell asleep again, then sat with her while her breathing deepened. The little mite lay on her back, arms and legs stretched out in that starfish shape she often assumes when she’s exhausted. Her little chest rose and fell, her features flushed, tracks of tears drying on her cheeks. I reached over and wiped away the moisture, then kissed her forehead.
As I padded out of her room and toward Seb’s room, I felt too wired to sleep. I walked into Seb’s room and found him fast asleep, one arm flung out on the mattress, as if he were reaching for me in his sleep. The covers were twisted around his waist, the bandage over his shoulder a stark contrast with the rest of his body. His chest barely moved; he was sleeping that deeply. No doubt, he was worn out from his injury. Not to mention, the way he’d exerted himself when he’d fucked me. Like I’d done with Avery, I watched him for a few more seconds, then bent down and brushed my lips over his. He didn’t move.
I straightened, then walked out of his room and back to mine, where I changed. I waited until the security guard at the back door dozed off. Then I slipped past him and down to the beach that runs parallel to the property. Seb has security cameras on the doorway, but by the time he or his guards notice, hopefully I’ll be gone. I walked down the beach, keeping to the shadows until three houses down. Then, I located the path that ran from the beach up to the main road, something I’d noticed on one of my infrequent walks when I first moved in here. I walked onto the road, and finally, called for a pick-up. My mind was made up, so I hadn’t had time to be nervous, not until the car dropped me off here.
Now, I walk up the driveway toward the silent house, then take the steps one at a time, until I’m at the main door. I stare at it.There’s time; you can turn around and leave. You don’t have to do this. If you let Seb, he’ll take care of it for you.But that’s the thing. I don’t want to be dependent on a man who’s my husband again. This time, I’m going to take care of things in my own way. All I have to do is look Fabio in the eye and tell him to back off. I can’t be afraid of him. He’s a bully; he thrives on fear. If I show him I’m no longer afraid of him, he’ll leave me alone.
The phone in my jeans’ pocket buzzes. I pull it out.
Alphahole calling.
Of course it is. He must have woken up and missed me. I hesitate, then decline the call. It starts to vibrate again almost instantly with a call from him again. I decline the call again, then switch the ringer and the buzzer off and slide it into my jacket pocket.
I raise my hand to rap on the door, and am not surprised when it’s wrenched open.
Fabio stands there, wearing a pair of pants and no shirt. The house is still dark, but the silvery moonlight is bright enough that I can make out his features. His chest is smooth... unmarked. A wave of disgust slithers under my skin. How had I ever thought of him as attractive?
"Elsa." His face breaks into a smile. I'd almost believe he's happy to see me, except for the fact that his smile never reaches those dark eyes of his. He watches me with that unblinking gaze I’ve come to expect. I used to think it was because he likes to give me his undivided focus. Now, I know it's because he's watching me for any sign of weakness. He's waiting to trip me up, so he can reinforce the sense that something is wrong with me. It took me a while to figure out that, behind that charming façade lies a snake. One who loves to use my insecurities against me. And I’m not going to give him that opportunity again.
"I knew you'd come." His voice drips with satisfaction.
"Did you?" I tip my chin up.
"You missed me, didn’t you? Missed what only I can give you. Face it, my darling wife, you want the kind of satisfaction that comes from being beaten to within an inch of your life."
"What? No." I take a step back. "And I amnotyour wife anymore. You lost the right to call me that a long time ago."
"I’m still the father of your child." He chuckles.
"Not for much longer," I say through gritted teeth.
"What do you mean?" He seems taken aback enough that he blinks. A first.
I draw myself up through the length of my spine. "You are not going to bother me again, Fabio."