“When he explained to me that was in fact you that had inflicted the horrible pain onto his body, I knew I had to get him out of the house. But you weren’t going to let me do that. You brought out a gun, aiming it at Caleb, telling him that he wasn’t going anywhere. He pulled on my hand, trying to escape and when I saw you reach for the trigger, I tackled you. I couldn’t let anything happen to that sweet little boy.
“We struggled over the gun, and somehow I won out, but the trigger was pulled and you, unfortunately, were at the receiving end. It will be such a tragic story. Of course, Caleb will come to live with us since that husband of yours legally has no claims to him and the rest will be history.
“I will be the perfect stepmother to Caleb, that is, unless he steps out of line again. I would assume he would learn to behave himself, but as you can see, I can be very creative and I’m sure Caleb could have some kind of ‘accident’ if necessary.”
I gasped when I heard the plans she had for Caleb. The tears were streaming down my face at the thought of this woman doing something to him. He was too young and didn’t deserve to have to deal with this crazy woman ever again. I sucked in a deep breath, looking straight into her deranged eyes. “Fine, I’ll cooperate. I’ll tell Roy it was all me as long as you leave Caleb alone.”
“Good, good dear.” She gave me an awkward pat on the head and punched in numbers on the phone. I listened to each number as she clicked away, my mind whirring with what to do. Should I play it safe and do as she said? Or should I take control of the situation and try to get myself out of it?
She put the phone to my ear and I cradled it against my shoulder, taking a deep breath when I heard Roy’s voice come through the phone. “Leah, are you there? I’ve been worried; I haven’t been able to get through to you on your cell phone.”
“Yes, I’m here. Roy, I need to tell you something. I really don’t know how to say this,” I paused, looking at Shelia who had a cruel smile pasted on her angelic looking face, but I knew the truth, she was truly the devil. “I just need to tell you that we…we were right about Shelia. She’s a crazy bitch and she’s here-”
I was cut off by Shelia yanking the phone away from me and throwing it against the wall. It shattered into a million pieces when it made contact and my hope of getting out of this diminished just a little. I could only pray that Roy could tell something was wrong, especially when our call was cut off.
“You just think you’re so smart, huh?” She hissed closely to my face, her perfect resolve slipping out of place quickly. “But you’re not. I’m the smart one here. Didn’t you think I have a plan b all set up? Of course, I knew there was a chance you wouldn’t cooperate, you’re so damn stubborn, and it’s pathetic. I feel bad for that husband of yours; lord knows he could do so much better.” She picked up the gun once again, waving it around in the air as her heels clicked on the hardwood floors, inching her way closer to me.
I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to believe this was the end for me, but I had a feeling it was. I was completely helpless in this moment. I pushed all of the thoughts of my impending death out of my mind, drawing up the picture of only good thoughts.
Thoughts of Caleb and Chase and the fun times we had together, even after everything we had been through. Chase’s family came next, they really had become truly the only family I had ever known and Mary was like the mother I deserved to have. Ally’s blonde head flashed into my mind and I couldn’t help but smile. I knew she was truly happy with Teddy and she deserved to be.
“What exactly are you smiling about?” Shelia’s icy voice interrupted my thoughts, but I tried to ignore her, instead remembering everything good in my life and feeling sort of sorry for Shelia. She obviously didn’t have as good of a life as I had, even though I had a bit of a rough start.
“Trust me when I say you won’t be smiling shortly.” She let out a loud cackle, but I refused to give in to her. I knew in that twisted head of hers, she wanted to see me scared and begging for my life, but I had to be brave, I wasn’t going to give in.
I tensed when I heard her feet finally come to a stop in front of me and I could feel her warm breath just inches from me. The room was silent for just a second, only filled with my light breathing, before my head exploded.
Chapter 26
Chase
I had left the conference early after sneaking out the back, excusing myself for a bathroom break. I just had a feeling in my gut that something wasn’t right and I needed to get home. That feeling grew even deeper when I tried calling Leah, both at home and on her cell phone, and didn’t get an answer on either one.
I was breaking just about every speeding and traffic law, but I didn’t care, I just needed to get home to make sure Leah and Caleb were safe. It was probably stupid. I could imagine it now, Leah would laugh at me about being paranoid and tease me about my hero complex. I could only hope that’s what would happen when I got home.