chapter Thirty
I held her for hours while I watched her sleep. I still couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to share a bed with her.
By three in the morning I kissed her goodbye and left her a note so she would know I was thinking of her.
I miss you.
Love, William
I couldn’t sleep when I got home so I booked a flight for Emma and I for California. I was able to schedule it for the night of graduation.
The next few days flew by with relatively no problems. I managed to avoid anyone who had tried to become Emma and I. I snnuck private moments with Emma whenever I could. I even had a key made for her so she could come see me whenever she needed or wanted to. She exercised that right often.
I was anxious for the day to end and being able to wrap my arms around Emma. As I opened the door to my place a small piece of paper fluttered to the ground.
Before I kill you, I want you to watch her die.
I walked inside, anger bubbling within me. I placed the note on the counter, pouring myself a drink and staring at it. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know if I could protect her. I made my way to the couch and sat down, resting my head in my hands. This is what I deserved, I knew it, but Emma didn’t ask for any of this. I heard her key slide into the lock of the door. I wanted to rush to her and push her away but I didn’t have the strength. I knew what I needed to do. I knew it would only put both of us in more danger.
“What’s wrong?” She asked as she rushed to my side, careful to keep distance between us. I took a deep breath and held out the note for her. She deserved to know the danger I brought to her feet. She read it carefully then let the paper fall from her fingers. “Oh, my God” she whispered, her hands covering her mouth. I nodded but couldn’t bring myself to look at her. “We have to call the police” Her voice was high pitched and I knew she was on the verge of going into shock. I narrowed my eyes. It was too late to go to the police. I had done too much.
“I’ll take care of this” I said and got up, determined to put an end to this once and for all. Emma jumped to her feet and placed herself in my path, placing her hand on my chest. I glanced down at her delicate fingers then back to her. She recoiled, taking a step back.
“You can’t go over there. You are going to do something you regret!” She was panicked and concerned for me, moreso than Abby. I softened my expression, not wanting her to worry. Not wanting her to know what I was capable of.
“I’m not going to do anything to her. I just want to end this thing once and for all.” I locked eyes with her, pleading with her to trust me. I needed to take care of this or we would never be able to be together. She bit her lip and stepped to the side. “Lock the door. Do not let anyone in this f*cking house. I don’t care if they are on fire. Do you understand?” She nodded and followed me to the door to lock it behind me.
I drove to the hotel I had met Abby at just days ago. I knocked several times before she answered. Her face was pale and drawn in, her eyes looked dead and lifeless. I pushed the door open further and she stumbled back so I could enter.
“You really think you can threaten me and get away with it?” I asked, seething with anger. She looked at me shocked and dazed. She tripped over her own feet towards me. The smell of liquor wafted through the air. I glanced around and noticed she had given in to the temptation to buy more drugs. Powder dusted nearly every surface in the room. “It wasn’t you?” I asked, not expecting a response. She rubbed her arms as if she was cold, but the room was muggy.
“You wanna..” Her voice trailed off. I shoved past her and made my way out of the room. I pulled out my phone and shot a text to Emma.
It’s not Abby. I am on my way.
She responded immediately.
Angela is here!!!!
Of course, it made sense.
Do NOT let her in!
I raced to my car and drove as fast as I could to get to Emma’s side. It was a sick joke being played on me. I made it home in record time, flying to the steps as my phone rang.
“H-he’s in the building..I think h-he killed her..don’t come in here!” Emma’s voice shook as she spoke. I made my way to the door.
“Emma, calm down. Breathe. No one is here.”
“William!” Emma screamed from behind the door. There was no time to react. Something hard came down across my face, causing me to stumble. I recovered quickly and swung, connecting with the man’s face. He stumbled backwards but caught himself before falling down the steps. I noticed something on the steps leading to the third floor. It was a body. Just then the man swung again, hitting me hard in the stomach. I doubled over, struggling to breathe. I swung my arm, my elbow hitting him hard in the ribs. I grabbed him by his hair and brought his face down on my knee, breaking his nose. Blood poured from his face as his arms swung wildly towards me. I wanted to kill him. I kicked out, my foot landing squarely on his chest, sending him flying to the landing below. He didn’t move again so I ducked to the side and checked on Angela, certain she was dead. I brushed her hair back from her face and she let out a small groan.
“She’s alive!” I shouted to Emma.
“I’m sorry” Angela whispered and her eyes where full of regret and pain. “He found out about us.” I glanced behind me at the man who lay motionless on the landing below. I looked back at her and nodded. Her husband was not ready to give up his wife to someone else. I dialed the police and told them a watered down version of what had happened. Then I sent a text to Emma.
Go to the third floor and wait for me. Don’t make a sound.
I waited a few minutes before helping Angela inside. She was battered and bruised but I knew that she was going to be okay. I locked the door behind us, just in case her husband regained consciousness. I wanted to finish him off, but that would have to wait for a different time. The cops arrived within a few minutes and we both told them our versions of what had happened. As far as they were concerned her husband was a very jealous man who thought she was sleeping with everyone else. It didn’t take long for them to haul him off and take Angela in to be checked out. I poured myself a drink and sent a text to Emma.
Come down, unless you want me to come up.
I smiled at the idea that she had just spent the better part of an hour on that floor alone. I heard the elevator door open and I turned to see her. She ran across the room as fast as her feet could carry her. I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her off the ground.
“Shh” I ran my hand over her head. “It’s over” She pulled back from me. “It’s over” I said, staring into her eyes. She relaxed, leaning her forehead against mine.
“I was so worried.”
“It was Angela’s husband. The cops took him away. They took it as nothing more than a husband who suspected his wife of cheating. We’re safe now.” I kissed her forehead wanting to take away her fear.
“She knows.” Her voice was soft and I could tell she felt like she had let me down.
“She doesn’t know who was in here. As far as she knows it was a one night stand and you left before she woke up.” I shook my head.
“how is she?”
“they took her to the hospital to do some scans, but she is going to be fine.” I rubbed her back for a moment before taking her in my arms and carrying her off to bed.