Page 103 of If You Love Me

“I’m so happy for you, Nina.”

“Thank you, boo. Looks like it’s you who has to catch up with me this time. You remember being pregnant together with the girls?”

I smiled. “I do. Damn did we give Tyrion and Jaime a run for their money.”

“The crying and cravings. They hated when we got together because it was ten times as bad. When we found out, the first thing Jay said was he wondered if we were in sync this time. He said he needed to mentally prepare himself.”

“We weren’t even that bad. He’s just being dramatic. Seriously though, Nina. I’m happy for you. We always said we were gonna have a bunch of kids and raise them together. I don’t know if I’ve ever said it, but thank you for being there for Summer in my absence. I know you poured all the love I wished I could have into her.”

“No thanks needed. That’s my baby. Always has been, always will be.”

I gently rubbed her stomach. “I’m glad I get to watch this little nugget grow up. Hi, TiTi’s baby!”

I bent over and kissed her stomach. I prayed that one day I got to enjoy pregnancy again. I wanted the chance to experience all I’d missed with Summer. I realized I was a few years shy of forty, but if I could have that at least once, it would make all the difference in the world.

Nina and I sat together for the remainder of our lunch hour before splitting ways. My eyes darted around outside as I made my way to my car. When I was just a few feet shy of it, I saw that not one, not two, but all four of my tires were slashed. As I rushed up to examine the damage, I saw a note on my windshield. With a trembling hand, I pulled it off and flipped the paper open.

You’regonna wish you’d stayed away from what was mine, bitch.

I frantically lookedaround for any sign of Iona, but there was none. Pulling out my phone, I called the police first, then called Tyrion.

“Hey, baby—”

“Tyrion, she followed me.”

“Where are you? Did you call the police?”

“Yes, I called them. I went to lunch with Nina atMarco’s. When I came out, all four of my tires were slashed, and there was a note on my windshield. She said I’m gonna wish I’d stayed away from what was hers.”

“Shit! Okay, go back inside. I’m on my way.”

“Tyrion?”

“Yes, baby?”

“If that bitch grows the balls to come anywhere near me, she’s gonna end up just like her uncle.”

I hung up the phone and walked back into the restaurant. Iona could play crazy if she wanted to. Everything I fought to stay alive for was still everything I had to live for. If she thought she could take that from me the same way her uncle had, she had another thought coming.

I laynext to my baby, watching her sleep. Tonight was the first night she’d been home since this shit started. Tyrion and I wanted her to stay with his parents until this was over, but she cried and begged to come home. It wasn’t even that we felt she was safer with them. If Iona wanted to get to her, she knew where both of our parents lived, according to Tyrion. She knew where Nina lived too, although it wouldn’t be wise for her to show up there. Nina and Jaime would shoot first and ask questions later.

After the police showed up, they reviewed the footage from the parking lot. There was Iona, clear as day, stabbing my tires. It was obvious that she didn’t care about getting caught. She hadn’t bothered to cover her face or anything. In fact, when the bitch was done, she looked directly at the camera and smiled before sticking up her middle finger and running off.

Unfortunately, they weren’t able to see what kind of car she was in. She’d left everything behind, so we knew it wasn’t hers. At this point, we were back at square one. She was in the fucking wind, and we were waiting around like sitting ducks for her to try some shit before the police could even do anything. This must have been what it felt like for Tyrion when I went missing. Just sitting and waiting… dreading and praying… cursing and crying.

I gently stroked my baby’s hair, thinking hard about what I’d have to do if pushed. I’d protect Summer Rose at all costs, even if it meant losing my freedom to do so. I’d hate to spend more time away from her, but I’d eat a prison sentence before I allowed a hair on her precious head to be harmed.

“Baby,” I heard softly.

I looked up to see Tyrion standing in the doorway of Summer’s room. It was nearing one in the morning, and I’d refused to go to bed.

“She’s asleep, love.”

“I know.”

“You need to get some sleep too, Ev.”

“I’m fine, Tyrion.”

---