Page 108 of If You Love Me

“Oh… my… God,” Ms. Lacey whispered as Iona drove off.

The door to her office opened, and Jaclynn stuck her head in.

“The police are on their way. Mr. Lewis… I’m—I’m so sorry.”

I didn’t acknowledge her sympathy, just walked past her and out of the office.

“Where are you going!” Lacey asked, running out after me.

“To find my wife and child!”

Just as I made it to my car, my phone started ringing. I looked down to see an unknown number flashing across the screen. I stared at it for a moment, then answered the call.

“Iona.”

“Hey, baby. I miss you.”

“Iona, where the fuck are Evenie and Summer?”

She giggled. “They’re right here, silly. You can come see them if you want.”

“I swear to God, if you hurt them—”

“If I hurt them what! Huh? What are you gonna do? You already broke my fucking heart. What else can you do to me?”

I took a deep breath. “If you hurt them, you’re gonna be sorry.”

“I’m already sorry! Sorry I ever met you. You ruined everything!”

I heard a slap and realized she must have been talking to Evenie. There was no response from my wife, however, and the sound of Summer’s muffled screams only made my heart race.

“Let me talk to my daughter.”

Iona didn’t answer. I could hear her moving around, followed by her murmuring to Summer.

“Daddy!” my baby cried into the phone.

“Summer! Baby, are you okay?”

“Daddy, please come get me! She shot Mimi, and Mommy’s not moving!”

“I’m coming, baby,” I said, hopping in the car and cranking up. “I know you’re scared, but I need you to be a big girl for me, okay? Just close your eyes real tight. No matter what you hear, keep your eyes closed for me. Can you do that?”

She cried harder. “I wanna go home…”

“I know, sweetheart. Daddy is coming. I promise, I’m coming for you. I love—”

“Enough of that,” Iona said, coming back to the line.

“Where are you?” I asked, backing out of my parking space.

“You know where to find me, love.”

“Stop fucking playing and tell me where you are, Iona!”

“The cabin I took you to for our anniversary last year.”

“That’s an hour away.”

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