Chapter 70

Nan’s POV

My nerves are a wreck.

I can’t keep my eyes off my phone. Expecting it to start ringing at any second. A prison to the gallows.

But the call never comes. I would have considered that a relief at first. It should give me more time to come up with a plan.

But I created one hour within getting home. The answer had come to me while watching Patti’s favorite show. A silly little spy show.

Perhaps basing my plan off of a kids show is stupid. But I had no other options. Besides, I knew David too well.

On the other hand that left me with too much time to worry. Two days of nothing. Two days of fretting.

I knew I was acting erratically. One moment I would be glued to my daughters’ sides. Showering them with near smothering attention and love.

The next I would be distant. Barely able to interact with them. My guilt eating me alive.

I knew the girls have noticed. I could even see faint traces of hurt in their eyes. It made my self-loathing worse when I noticed that.

Hurting my daughters’ feelings is unacceptable. I needed to do something to get my mind off my issues for just a few hours.

Lucky for me, the weekend provided the perfect opportunity.

“Girls.” I call out to them. Ignoring the weary look Vera gives as Patti perks up.

“What do you think about having a girl’s night?” I suggest.

Patti’s face lights up. “Ooh, yes Mom! We haven’t had one of those in forever.”

Vera tilts her head just like Lionel does when he is confused. “Girl’s night?’

“You’ll love it. Mom and me paint our nails, play games, and bake stuff. It’s really fun.”

Vera looks thoughtful. “I’ve never had a girl’s night. But I’ve also never had a mommy to do it with.”

My heart twinges. I kneel face-to-face with her. “Then Patti and I will make this the best night ever.”

“Okay.” She says a little shyly. Different than the usual proud heiress mask she wears.

I hug her. Enjoying the feel of her little face relaxing on my shoulder. Patti giggles.

“Don’t forget me.” She jumps onto my back. I only just prevent us all from topping over.

I hear Lionel’s laugh from the side. “A girl’s night? Sounds like fun.”

Patti turns to him. “Sorry, dad. Girls only.” She says firmly.

I see the mirthful twitch of his lips. “I’ll join you girls when it’s time for the movie. Have fun.”

It’s mostly smooth sailing after. Ver and Patti argue over paint colors for their nails. Until I tell them they can put more than one color. This blows their young minds.

Their nails are a messy array of colors. Vera painting her own nails bright pink and soft blue. Patti insists on hers being a rainbow.

The games go about the same. We play multiple games because Patti cards while Vera favors board games. I put a stop to it when it seems like the twins are going to get into a physical fight when Patti wins too many times.

Our baking session is the best part. The girls insisted that cookies would be better for movies. I find amusement in watching them put nearly everything possible into the cookies.

Though I do draw the line at gummies.

Movie time came around quickly. The sun had just fallen when Lionel finally came down. I have completely relaxed by this point.

“What are we watching?” Lionel asks as he readies some blankets for the girls to cuddle in.

“The Great Spy Adventure.” I answer.

“I guess Patti chose it.” Lionel smirks.

I shrug. “They used the games to pick the movie. Whoever won the most would get to choice tonight’s movie.”

His eyebrows go up. “I would have guessed Vera.”

I grin. “But Patti has a competitive streak a mile wide. It gives her an edge.”

We are smiling playfully at each other when my phone vibrates with a notification. I glance down. My smile slips off.

From: XXX-XXX-XXXX

Come to my old lodge. Leave now. Be there by 10, or else.

I look up at Lionel. “Hey, I have something I need to go do really quick. Can you stay with the girls?”

“Are you sure it can’t wait? I think the girls were really looking forward to this.” Lionel says cautiously.

I shake my head. “No, I can’t put this off. I promise I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

He nods reluctantly. I head upstairs before he can say another word. I grab my tablet from my dresser.

I open the screen and click a few things. Close the screen. Then I put my tablet at the bottom of my purse.

The drive to the cabin in around an hour and a half. ‘Damn him,’ I think. ‘Couldn’t he have picked a closer spot?’

He is waiting by the door when I arrive. “Welcome in.” He says sardonically.

I only glare at him. “Let’s just get this over with.” I bark.

“Not so fast. Give me your purse.” He holds out his hand.

I throw it at him. But the jerk catches it with ease. He sticks his meaty hand down into it.

My pulse picks up. Slight doubt creeps into my head. ‘Please let this work…’ I pray silently.

He grabs my phone from inside. Once more removes the battery. “You won’t need this.”

I hold back a relieved breath as he gives me back my purse. ‘Thank god he’s so arrogant.’ I think. He gestures for me to sit at the dining table only a few feet away.

I do so without protest. “So, what’s this plan? Why would you need my help?”

David pours himself a drink from his bar. “Nothing to complicated.”

“You’ll make an excuse to your boyfriend. Tell him you’re taking the kids to the park or something. And bring them here.”

I raise my eyebrow. “That’s it.” I say blankly.

“It’s not a fucking TV show Nan. Not everything has to be super complicated.” He rolls his eyes.

“And you think I can just go off the radar with Alpha Lionel’s children? Just like that?” I grit my teeth at his stupidity.

“Like the guy doesn’t trust you.” He scoffs. “You could do anything you wanted with those kids and he would hand you the keys to the castle before he realized what happened.”

I inhale deeply. Hold it in. Then exhale.

“Don’t know why. Especially with that little secret you’re hiding from him.” David grumbles.

“If I disappear with them…how will you get away with this?” I question. “Lionel saw you with me the other day.”

“My inside man will provide us an alibi. Some good distractions.” He shrugs.

I want to argue. I think about pointing out how idiotic this all is. That Lionel has the best resources on the planet and could find us in only a few hours.

But I think better of that. No point in actually giving him useful information. But I need one last question.

“Are you sure? Who could even get close enough to do that?” I goad.

“Who else but one of his personal trackers? The man hates Lionel. He’s been sabotaging quite a few of his little hunts.”

‘Bingo,’ I think. ‘That’s all I needed.’

I try not to show my eagerness to leave. “When is this supposed to go down?”

“In a week or two. I’ll call you then.” David replies with a frown.

I decided to put on a show to throw him off my trail. “You called me all the way out here just for that? It could have been a text!”

He snorts. “Do you think I am so stupid as to give you physical evidence of this?”

‘Yes,’ My brain supplies.

“If that’s all, can I leave? You calling me in the middle of movie night with the girl and Lionel was very suspicious.” I say pointedly.

“Are you sure you can’t stay? Don’t want to reminisce…old times? Especially the ones we sent in this cabin.”

Innuendo is thick in his voice. I resist the urge to vomit. “No.”

“Then go.” I do. I grab my purse and hurry out of the car.

Only pausing long enough to open my purse pocket and check my tablet. The red beeping record button is still going. I pause it and close the screen.

‘Jackpot,’ I think. ‘Now it’s time to show Lionel.’

I start the car. Ignoring David’s stare from the window. Neither of us yet aware of another device streaming live…from beneath his dining table.