Page 54 of Fake Married to the Grumps

“No, I have to come with you,” Julia answers before she hiccups. “If you walk in there alone, he might hurt you. We don’t know how far he’s willing to take this, Ethan,” she insists, her eyes bulging out to show her terror. “I can’t let you or her get hurt.”

“Will you say those exact words in court?” Robyn asks, and I glance at her, noting how stiffly she’s poised on the front passenger seat while Julia cowers behind.

“Yes,” Julia agrees with a nod. “If that’s what you need me to do.”

“We go in together,” Robyn says, then reaches into her purse for a cuff. “I keep this with me all the time because it might come in handy.”

“Robyn,” I object. “Joe wants me. He wants my money. I can’t put you in danger, too. If anything happens to Nelly or you, Tom will never forgive me. I can’t have that.”

“You’re not changing my mind, Ethan. I’m a cop. I’ve got more experience than you two combined, so we’re going in together.”

She meets my gaze defiantly, and I wonder how Tom ever wins an argument against her. “Fine.” I release an exasperated sigh, then unlock the car’s door.

We don’t make it far toward the entrance before Joe wanders out, a crazed look in his eyes. “I knew you would find me,” he says before bursting into a riotous laugh. “Julia told you, didn't she? She couldn’t keep her mouth shut!”

“It’s over, Joe … You have to let Nelly go.”

“Do I?” he taunts. “You’re going to pay a lot to make me do that, Ethan. You see, here's the thing, I've lost everything, and it is all because of you!” His eyes widen and darken with a bulge as he yells. I notice the sheen of sweat on his forehead and his rapid breathing.

Joe’s right-hand trembles as he continues. “You have to pay.”

“I’m not the one to blame, Joe,” I respond, knowing I have to buy some time till the cops get here.I can’t let Joe do anything stupid, like hurt Nelly.

The thought leaves a tight lump in my throat, and that makes me feel queasy inside.

“I’ll pay what you want, so just please …”

The first distant wail of a siren erupts in the air, and Joe’s eyes widen. “You called the cops?”

He turns to run back into the warehouse, and I lurch forward right then, tackling him to the ground before Robyn joins and bends his hand behind him in a classic cop move.

“You’re staying with me, buddy,” Robyn says as she cuffs Joe’s wrist to hers, then motions for me to rush into the warehouse.

Julia’s sobbing in a corner as I scramble to my feet and rush in.

“Nelly,” I scream at the top of my voice, shaking with the slice of terror cutting through me. “Nelly …”

Her muffled cries fill the air and I follow the sound, rushing over to find her tied to a chair, a cloth stuffed in her mouth.

Nelly collapses in my arms once I untie her. “I’m so sorry,” I murmur amidst my tears, then stole my hands over her face to smooth away her hair.

“I should have protected you better. Knowing Joe was desperate, I should have known he’d try something to hurt you just to get back at me. I should have told you how I feel. I should have….

“I thought I would lose you … I was so scared, I thought you …”

I frame her cheeks, and she sniffs before I wrap my arms around her and help her to her feet.

Cop sirens surround us as we exit the warehouse together, and I find one releasing Robyn so he can cuff Joe properly.

“This isn’t over, Everhart,” Joe warns as the cop leads him away. I help Nelly get to the back of the cop car, and one of them throws a blanket around her shoulders before I’m led aside to give my statement.

Tom and Grandpops arrive at the scene a minute later, and they rush to Nelly’s side. I can’t take my eyes off Nelly while I’m giving my statement. The entire time, I’m thinking of how foolish I’ve been with my fear of loving her when she’s been in my heart all along.

When I reach her, Nelly’s still shivering and hugging her sides tight. I sit by her side and pull her into my arms.

“I’m so sorry, Nelly. All of this is my fault … Joe tried to hurt you because of me.”

“It wasn’t,” she murmurs and tears shimmer in her eyes when I look deep into them. “Why do you think he did this? Why does he hate you so much?”

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