Chapter 77

Laying over his chest, my throat tightened in pain. The sight of the shocked man's face was blurred from my effortless tears. Now that I did what I had to do, my façade from earlier collapsed. No smiles, just tears. This was going to be rough. Real fucking rough; it already was! It was bad enough that I had to leave my man bound and helpless like this. Now, I would have to face why. I had to accept this could be the last time I see Luke. Sure, my plan was solid, and I was almost sure everything would be fine. With our luck though, you never know. Things could go wrong. That's why I took this moment with him very seriously.

While my eyes spilled over, his stayed wide. Luke stared at me with shock, and now, horror. There wasn't a spec of confusion. He didn't even need to look above our heads to where his wrist was now bound. The clicks latching and restraining his wrist registered reality enough. The horrible reality of having my way. Of how I would turn myself over and not risk going through with Luke's plan.

He just stared at me with those intense green globes. Then, after a long moment, he closed his eyes tight. "You can't do this," he whispered between the space of our faces.

Ugh, this was already hurting worse than I imagined! My man, my sweet beautiful man... he needed to see, he needed to understand. "Luke, I have to." Swallowing, I cupped his cheeks. "I have to do this my way. I'm sorry."

His eyes stayed closed tight, chest under mine moving faster. "Have faith in me. Please don't do this. Don't do this."

"There's nothing you can say," I whispered through my soft cry.

His eyes flew open. The bright morning sunlight highlighted the colorful room - and the begging glint in his gaze. "There must be. This cannot happen, we need to go through with the plan."

Stop, Luke, stop trying... Stop before I start sobbing. "No baby. I have my own plan and it's going to be okay."

"Anything, I'll do anything to change your mind, just please.... Let's just take a deep breath, uncuff me, and we will talk about this. Figure something out," he said as smoothly as his desperation would allow.

I shook my head, caressing his cheeks while mine were covered in wet tear tracks. "There is nothing you can say," I repeated down to him.

There was a moment of silence. He just stared at me above him. Devastating realization crossed his pleading expression. Luke could see I was sticking with my guns. And I was. I would not budge no matter how much I wanted to. No matter how painful this was. No matter how clearly his fear for me influenced my growing emotions. It made his eyes water, brows creasing. "What, you're just going to go on your own, turn yourself over? Leave me again?"

The watery redness in his eyes did not help my composure. Then to be hit with those words.... I already felt like shit. Such complete shit. I mean, I handcuffed him to the bed and was giving him all this pain! Because for once, he had no power. He couldn't do anything. I hated taking that away from him, but I had to for his own good and for all of ours. It just hurt terribly to see how painful this was for him. On top of that, to then hear those last words.... It was those words that completely broke me down. Leave him? Those words fished out the awful memories of being without him and how I told him it wouldn't happen again. And it wouldn't! It couldn't.

Releasing a rough moan of despair, I clamped my lips shut. My chest and lips trembled with the need to let it all out. "No, no, stop," I whispered, tears coming faster. My body shook with my cry. I never wanted him to fear losing me again. I never wanted him to think about it happening again. "I'm not leaving you. I'll never leave you. I-I went to the FBI, made a deal. They are going to track me. They will have the location. Our deal will be kept, Brooke safe, and I'll probably be fine. Things will be okay."

Luke's frantic and scared eyes searched mine, brows dipping. "How will things be okay if you are in that fucker's hands? You don't know. You... You're leaving me again."

"I'm not!" I said in a higher tone, heart splitting open. "I'm not leaving you," I cried.

"You know you might not make it. What if your idea doesn't work? At least mine will give me you," he said, tears freshly falling from his erratic eyes. His free hand cupped the side of my face hovering over his. "You know you might not come home to me."

I cringed and whimpered, more tears spilling over. Our warm uneven breaths against each other, I bit my lip hard and thumbed his tears away from where I cupped his face. "Listen to me, I'm going to come home to you."

"Then why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?"

My head dipped off to the side as I shook with my soft cry. Why did he have to say that?! Goodbye? Fuck! This was killing me. I wasn't saying goodbye! But he was catching on. If I was positive I would be fine, I wouldn't be crying and savoring this moment as much as I was. Yes, I was crying because betraying Luke in this fashion was difficult, but I was also a mess because I consciously understood the risks. Though I was confident in my plan, there was a chance that things wouldn't turn out. Luke's struggle to stop me right now only validated the growing fear in me. I might not come home.

When I leaned back up to stare down into his eyes, I took several deep breaths before I could speak. "There will never be goodbye. You hear me? I'm going to try to come home to you," I said, hardly able to say those last words before I choked on my sorrow. My composure and reassurance were cracking. "My plan is good, it has to work. I'm going to try my best. I will, I-I have to come home to you."

His shattered heart glistened in his wet eyes. They swarmed in pain, anger, sadness. As more tears ran down his cheeks, he turned his head against the pillow and looked away. His body under me vibrated with tremors, matching the shakiness in his voice. "We were going to be happy. We were going to get married. We—w-w-we... we were going to get married," he croaked.

"We are!" I cried out.

"I was finally going to get us out of this mess. Have you safe. You were going to mine forever."

"Luke, we are getting married. We're going to be happy. We will! We'll be safe. I know you don't understand, but my plan is good enough to work." Brushing away his tears, I tilted his face back up to mine. "You're the love of my life. I can't wait for all this to be over because I'm going to be your wife someday." Holding back my cry, I continued with a firmness. He needed to see! He needed to know I was going to do everything I could to get back to him. "Luke, believe me, trust me, we'll be free. Happy. Married. Please trust me. I'll be fine."

"You don't know. I can't fucking lose you again!" he said with baring teeth, fire hitting his teary eyes. His hand on the side of my face slid back to cup behind my bun. "I won't lose you again. Y-You can't fucking do this to me again! I've done everything for you, I've done everything to protect you. To finally have you. Get me out of these cuffs. You owe me this."

Owe him? He was really trying now – and I would be lying if I said it didn't affect me. I needed to stray strong though. "You'll understand. I know you will," I said, resting my forehead against his. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and swallowed my cry. I enjoyed the feeling of his hand cupping below my bun. The warmness of his fingers, his body. Through his chest, I felt his erratic breath and pounding heart. His beautiful, sweet, lively heart. "This is my problem. It's time to fully own it and face it."

Opening my eyes, his own shed relentless tears. His hand cupping below my bun trembled. "How can you do this to me? I love you. I-I love you more than you will ever know. Does that not mean a thing to you?"

Ugh, why? Why did he have to unleash those brutal words? "It means the world to me," I whispered under my breath with a cry. "You mean the world to me. But we can't be selfish."

"Albany," he sighed hopelessly.

I brought my lips down to his. Giving him several long kisses. Savoring his sweet lips that didn't fight mine. They were so soft, sweet, inviting and perfect. This would not be the last time I feel his lips. Our emotions were getting the best of us. Before handcuffing him and trying to make Luke understand, I was confident about my plan. Just because he didn't have faith in my plan, I needed to. I needed to remain confident.

When I broke away, Luke's hand slid down my back. His expression radiated a desperation, a tight firmness at the same time. "You're being stupid."

Though he was serious, and his words showed some anger, it made me scoff. "What's new?"

God, I had to do this. I had to go through with this. I'm so sorry, Luke. It was difficult tearing myself away from him, but I did. Wiping away my tears, I slid off Luke's warm body. Kneeling up next to him, he instinctively jerked his restrained arm up as far as it would go. Straining as he leaned towards me, his free hand grabbed mine. "I'm begging you... uncuff me. We'll do it your way, just uncuff me."

The man's begging tone was overwhelming. I was tempted, but knew better. He was a convincing liar as a police officer. And though I read him well, I could not believe him. He was telling me what I wanted to hear. The one thing that was undeniably clear: he wanted out of those handcuffs more than anything. Knowing the stakes, he was desperate. He would have to understand though. I knew deep down he did.

"Francis will uncuff you when he gets back," I said, voice breaking. Squeezing his hand, I didn't want to let go. I didn't want to let go of his warm grasp. Looking down to his hand in mine, I bit my bottom lip hard. "You don't know how hard this is for me. But I need to go now."

"Albany—"

"I love you sweetheart," I whispered over more fresh tears. Raising his hand, I kissed it and let go. Standing up from the bed quickly, I could barely handle the sight. Luke, laying on his back on the bed, his left wrist cuffed. Trapped. He was strained up and tense, but ultimately trapped. I couldn't look any more. I got my things and rushed out.

The second I stepped outside, I took a deep breath and stopped. Good fucking god, I couldn't believe I just did that. I couldn't believe this was finally happening. But ugh, that was damn hard. Wiping away the fresh tears, I ran my hands down my face. Luke will be okay. He will understand and forgive me.

Onto the next step. Finding Francis and Jackson. You can't blame me for being a little more scared about this.

It's no surprise: I'm a badass. Sure, I'm no police officer, but I have gained a lot of skills over the years. Enough where I just successfully handcuffed Luke to the headboard. Francis however... well, putting him up against Jackson, that was plain risky. That's why his best bet was with a gun. Didn't require much skill or anything. Just guts to go through with it if Jackson tried anything stupid. Hopefully, Francis had those guts – or at least was convincing enough. I told him if Jackson tried anything, shoot him in the arm or leg.

Walking down to the parking lot, slipping on my jacket, I entered the woods and didn't stop. I wanted Jackson away from Luke in case there was any yelling or struggling – or potential gunshots that would give anything away. So, I instructed Francis to hold up a gun to him, lead Jackson into the woods, and wait for me to arrive. We needed Jackson restrained. Having me there to help would ensure it could happen. Francis would give me the cord to tie up Jackson while he steadily holds the gun.

The woods besides the motel stretched on for a while. With a field on one side of the woods and road on the other, I knew I couldn't miss them. However, when I did come across them, it was not the picture I expected.

Francis was sitting on a fallen log. Thumbs fiddling together over his lap, he gave off an anxious vibe – with good reason. At his feet on the woodsy ground laid Jackson. Sprawled out on his back and unconscious. Not from a gunshot wound; I didn't get that lucky. He was knocked out. His limp arms and hands rested on his stomach, tied and bound with bungee cord. What the fuck happened?

When I rushed over to Francis, he explained things didn't go nearly as planned. "I had no choice! He knew I wasn't going to shoot him. I could tell the second I started guiding him into the woods. He wasn't scared. Just annoyed that I pulled a gun on him. I was so paranoid, I knew he was going to do something... so when we got this far back, I-I didn't know what to do. He was going to turn on me at any second. So, from where I was walking behind him and holding the gun, I picked up a big rock and hit him in the head. Not hard, but... hard enough."

A rock? I did not like the sounds of that. Though I joke how I wouldn't mind him dead, seeing Jackson laying there with a gash against the side of his head... it didn't make me feel good. It wouldn't cause too much damage though. Thankfully, he was breathing evenly and seemed fine when I checked him. Knowing Jackson, he would be up in no time and would manage to walk back to the motel.

Which was fine. Though it didn't go as expected, things worked out. I didn't even need to tie Jackson's legs; he was unexpectedly out cold. All we needed was Luke and Jackson restrained long enough until we leave. Somehow, we made it happen.

Now, I could do what I needed to do. My path was clear with no obstacles to dodge. It brought relief, yet a new kind of fear. After all... this was it, ladies and gents.

***

It was a very long drive. There weren't many words exchanged between Francis and I. Sure, the fact that I filled my face with food might have been a reason. You can't blame me though. Lord only knows what dinner would be like in Reid's care. Probably worse than prison food, which might be the most tragic thing about being locked up in his headquarters. So, going through a drive-through and eating a few burgers was something I tried to savor.

But it's not like my occupied mouth was the reason we stayed silent. We both were in our own bottled up worlds of nervousness and pain. Even the delicious food was difficult to enjoy with our reality. We were both aching in hope for everything to work out. Our heads circled in worry for Brooke, and though I held a strong front, worry for my sake as well.

My exhausted heart kept up a steady anxious beat the whole drive there. It picked up in pace once we turned into the Wickword Nature Center. The welcome sign introduced the sensation of needles against my skin, but I sucked it up. I had to.

Francis drove us down a paved road before it opened to a parking lot. At the end of it was a large building, most likely an information center. This early in the morning, there weren't more than a few cars. Nobody was around either. God. Wonder if any of these cars secretly belonged to one of Reid's men. We knew there were stationed around here.

Fuck, that thought alone... I closed my eyes when Francis put the truck into park. I was suddenly not feeling as confident. Jackson told me Reid keeps his word, but it would be so easy for him not to right now. Easily, they could easily, take us out now. They could easily kill us if they are watching us. For how many times they have tried, I was almost scared to trust they wouldn't put a bullet through me the second they have the chance. A sickening feeling sank in. Would getting out of this truck be suicide?

Opening my eyes, they reached the digital clock above the radio. It read 9:02. The time we were instructed to arrive. Now, we just needed to get out and walk. I didn't know if I could.

Then, Francis took his belt off in the driver's seat and shifted towards me. He rested a hand on my tense arm. Looking up to him, his eyes were alert, but full of care. "Are you going to be okay?"

Seeing the sweetness in his eyes, it was enough of a reminder why I was here. If we walk out of this truck and I'm immediately killed, it was worth the risk. If I die at any point, it was worth the risk. This man needed his daughter back and this was the only way, the only path we could take to do that. I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. I'll be fine. First though.... I need to do something."

I knew this was going to hurt like a bitch – and it did. I did something that immediately made my stomach turn. I had to though. Reaching up and behind me, I unclasped my necklace. "I don't want to do this... but they will probably take my jewelry once they have me." After unclasping my necklace, I proceeded to slip off my rings. The newest one that represented my future with Luke was the most difficult to remove. But I've learned from Jackson, and my short time in a mental institution, that these sweet pieces of Luke would be taken from me. "Make sure to keep these safe," I said, opening the glove compartment. Delicately wrapping the rings and necklace in a napkin, I placed them in the compartment and shut it.

"I will," he whispered.

Already trying to forget about what I just did, I took a deep breath. Time to just get this over with before I throw up. "You ready?"

"I'm ready to get my daughter back. That's all," he whispered.

"Same here," I said, taking my belt off.

"Albany?"

I looked up to him. "Yeah?"

The lovely hazel eyes behind his glasses swam with tears. Jaw tightening, he glanced down. "I'm so sorry. I'm...." he cut himself off and leaned closer quickly. Wrapping his arms around me, the small truck space didn't matter. He gave me a hard hug, one I gave into. Hugging him back tightly from where we were turned towards each other, I could feel the shakiness enter my body. His gentle broken words didn't help. "I'm so sorry. You better come home to us. That's all I can say. Get your ass home."

I nodded, head buried into the crook of his warm neck. I soaked in the feeling, his scent... Just like with Luke, I wanted to take everything in. For whatever happens ahead, whether it lasts a few days or the rest of my life, I wanted to remember this. Him and Luke and all the lovely things about them.

"Hey, who the fuck do you think you are talking to? Of course I'm coming home. Who else is going to annoy you half to death?"

Chuckling, he sat back and wiped away a tear. He smirked and patted my shoulder sweetly. "Very true."

"Let's finally get this shit done," I sighed, forcing down the lump in my throat before it could rise too high. I glanced out the windshield and passenger window. "We need to find Evergreen Trail." Then, keeping my attitude consistence with my confidence, I opened the door and jumped out. Out in the open. Not dead yet. That's something.

And though the terror lingered in the back of my head, nothing happened. It became clear Reid was really going to keep his word. By the time we found Evergreen Trail and walked down it, neither of us were dead yet. They knew we were coming and nothing deadly occurred yet. It allowed us to walk with anxiousness more than fear. If only the sun stayed out. Among the wonderous huge trees, some more orange and yellow by now, the sky above became overcast. So much for the nice lovely morning sun. Guess it was fitting.

We found the footpath Reid mentioned that branched off. We took it, walked a little more... then, our boots against the small dirt path stopped. The trail ended as did the trees. Before us, was an open grassy field that stretched on for a while. It was a small field smack dab in the middle of the beautiful woods. Trees were scattered here and there. Several yards away though into the field was a cluster of trees together. A few skimpy birch trees mainly.

Standing in front of the birch trees... were two men. They faced our directions and were speaking... until we came into sight. Between them, sitting on the ground, was a little girl.

One of the men I didn't recognize. The other man... snapped my memories into place; I've seen the infamous man before and knew immediately who he was. Though the air was chilly and I wore a jacket, the sight of him sent powerful chills up my body. There he was. Reid Taylor. He didn't look much different from when I saw him years ago. Though he stood several yards away, his straight posture and business wear reflected what I remember about the man. Professional and crafty.

Seeing him did not help my confidence. The last time I saw him was three years ago in my backyard. He had attempted to collect me as his property. Being a badass, I managed getting away. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have that luxury this time. This was a deal. I would have to be good and turn myself over; I would have to tame my instincts to fight back. Knowing that made everything that much more scary. At least when my eyes took in the little girl, it registered that it was all worth it. All completely worth it.

Brooke sat on the grass in front of them. She was on her knees, her little wrists bound together. She looked hopeless. Her head was dipped down, her shoulders quivering as if she was crying. Long blonde hair messily blocking her face from my vision, I was anxious to move closer. I wanted to close the distance between us.

And we did not too much later. Reid caught sight of us, stopped speaking, and smiled. With our distance, it was hard to make out small details, but just seeing his teeth appear in a soft smile... it uprooted my horror. And it only became worse.

He said something that made Brooke immediately look up to us. Though it was difficult to make out her expression, her actions spoke loud enough. "Daddy!" she cried. Then, she jumped to her feet, tried running towards us, and was yanked to a stop immediately. She was stopped by something around her neck. A pink collar. Yes, collar.

Attached to the collar was what kept her from coming any closer – a long black line, snapped at attention once she moved a few feet too far from them. The man I didn't recognize was holding the other end. I wanted to throw up. Brooke was on a fucking leash.

"No!" I shouted, leaping towards Francis the second he aggressively moved forward. "No, stop, she's fine!" I said, gripping his arm and pulling him to a stop before he could fully sprint to her.

His teary face and wide horror-filled eyes could only stare ahead at his daughter. His arm under my tight hand was shaking. "She is on a leash! She is right there, my baby is right there," he hissed. "They put her on a fucking leash!"

"We remain calm! This is a fragile moment. One wrong move, we're done," I said strictly under my breath to him. I wanted to run up and claim Brooke just like Francis did (and kill those men for daring to put her on a leash). For how nervous and scared I was though, I memorized Reid's instructions exactly. This would be a fair exchange, done simultaneously. Francis running or doing anything rash, Brooke was dead and maybe us.

Thankfully, Francis understood very quickly and remembered how dangerous this all was. Eyes still furiously pinned on the disgusting sight of those two fuckers and his daughter, he stayed in place even after I let go of his tense arm.

Then, Reid took a few steps forward and held our attention. "Miss. Higgins. Mr. Prenta. Please calmly approach," he said in a loud enough voice for us to hear. The huskiness of his voice and the blankness underlining it rang through my ears. I had forgotten what he sounded like in person until this moment. And it sent more chills over my uneasy body.

I glanced up to Francis. He met my eyes. All I could do was take a deep breath. "Everything is going to be okay."

He nodded. And slowly – calmly as Reid had instructed – Francis and I walked out further into the open grassy land. Closing the distance between us and where they stood near the isolated birch trees.

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Hi everyone! I actually did not plan on ending the chapter at this point. However, considering its been far too long since I have posted a chapter, I needed to put this up and not wait another day. So, yes, this chapter was not edited the best. I just couldn't stand going any longer without giving you guys a chapter. So I worked as hard as I could to give you a great chapter though it is slightly shorter than usual and maybe has some errors more than usual

There is no excuse for how late this was. There just isn't. Yes, things have been very busy lately. But there is more to why it's taken me so long to post. Honestly, I am going through quite a difficult time right now. Things have been hard lately (that's what she said, right? ;) ) But seriously, I don't mean to make it sound dramatic, but I've hit a bump in the road and it's made it difficult to focus on a lot right now. Life happens though. And I will push forward and jump into the next chapter as fast and best as I can

So, that is why this chapter was late. I also tried my hardest to make sure this chapter was still as good, that my personal shit didn't interfere. Please let me know what you think!

You guys are the best. Like you really are. Who sticks around this long for a damn story? :P  Haha I'm so glad you do. Reading your comments is truly a gift so thank you and thank you for all the support you give me <3 Have a good day!