Chapter 0013
BAILEE-
I sighed at the familiar voice. “Nicole. It’s Bailee Joh. Evans, I need some help. Please tell me you have a key to Ben’s house or
know someone who does, I need a place to stay tonight and a ride. I don’t have a car or car seat and don’t know who else to
call
It was humiliating that I didn’t have a key, but Ben and I weren’t very close anymore. My best friend was on vacation with her
boyfriend, and my parents lived hours away.
“Bailee! Um, yeah! Give me a second”
There was some rustling on the other line, and over the loud music and sound of the packed bar, I could hear her talking to someone for a moment before she picked up the phone again.
“Ive got you, girl! Mason will be there soon. Give me your address!”
I could have cried from relief that it was someone other than Alex as I gave her my address,
While holding the phone between my shoulder and check, I got Brinley dressed before setting her on her bed to lie down until
it was time to leave.
Over the next few minutes, I frantically packed as much of Brinley’s clothes into a bag as possible before taking her to my room and putting her on my bed while I did the same for my belongings,
The intercom buzzing made me jump, and I threw the bags over my shoulder before placing Brinley on my hip and waddling
under the weight of everything to the front door.
“I love
you
so much” Caleb’s whisper made my heart drop, and I turned to see Lorna smiling widely, lying on the couch with
Caleb beside her, his cheek on her stomach as he spoke to their baby
White noise hummed in my head as he continued talking to the baby, not caring that this might be the last time he saw his
daughter.
The buzzer sounded again, and I reached up to press the intercom. “Yes?”
“Mrs. Johnson, I have a gentleman here, Mason Anderson, saying he was sent to pick you up by Nicole.” The doorman said. While I didn’t know anyone named Mason, if Nicole had sent him, I had to believe that it would be safe to go with him. “He is
asking to come up to help with your bags”
I let the bags drop to the floor with relief. That would be wonderful. Yes, please send him up.”
“Why am I not surprised you’re leaving with a strange man?” Caleb sneered, standing from the couch and moving toward me
quickly. “Give me your bags, Bailee.”
“I didn’t steal anything! I hissed, nudging the bags closer to the front door as I reached for the handle. Brinley grabbed my shirt in her tiny fists, her legs tightening around me, seeming to understand that something was different between us and her father now as she was no longer crying or reaching for him
“Like I’m going to believe you The court order said that I get to keep everything, and you would never be able to afford jewelry like that on your own.” He snapped, reaching forward to rip my grandmother’s necklace from my neck.
It was one of the last things she had given to me. She had known she was going to pass, and wanted it to stay in the family.
I gasped in shock and pain as he bent forward to grab Brinley’s bag before I could collect myself.
“That’s my grandma’s!” I shouted. “Give it back!”
Instinctively, my hand flew from my bare neck to grab the handle, pulling it back to my side to prevent him from dumping everything out and making me repack it
17
+25 BONUS
“Im not the liar here. I didn’t steal anything.” I snapped as Mason knocked on the door. I couldn’t open the door with Brinley in one arm and Caleb trying to rip the bag from my other hand. Glancing at the door, I saw it was unlocked and shouted.”
Come in!”
“Bailee, I’m not dealing with your shit tonight! Give me the fucking bag!” Caleb yelled, his voice deepening, making both Brinley and me flinch as the front door opened behind us.
Caleb’s eyes widened first with anger and then with unease. “What the fuck is this?”
“Drop the bag, Johnson.”
My breath caught as the familiar voice sent a wave of warmth over me, making me feel safe even though I knew I was anything but.
Because behind me stood none other than Alexander Fucking Kingston.
