Page 32 of Securing His Family

Whatever Patrick was going to do to her, wasn’t going to be fun. Wherever he was going to take her, she would need to find a way to get away from him.

You are strong, Lauren. I believe in you.

Reed’s voice sounded loud in her mind, as if he was sitting next to her.

Lauren took a deep breath, pushing the panic aside. If she was going to find a way out of this, she needed to keep her thoughts in check. Become numb to the fear that could paralyze her.

Patrick wasn’t going to be the reason why her life was going to end.

“Where are we going?” she demanded, pleased her voice sounded strong.

“I think we need a little someone else to join this party, don’t you?” Patrick smirked at her through the rearview mirror.

Shit, I know this road. No! He can’t do this!

Her stomach rolled over. “No! You don’t touch Charlee. She’s got nothing to do with this. You told Reed you wantedmenot Charlee. You’ve never wanted her.”

Even though she didn’t have anything in place for her daughter should anything happen to her, which with her life on the line she really should’ve, Lauren knew that no matter what, Tabitha and everyone at Power Security would ensure that Charlee was okay.

“Your so-calledfiancéeis an idiot. I lied to him. Just like you lied to me about your relationship with him. None of it is real.”

Anger broke through her fear, and Lauren tugged it close, embracing it and letting it cloak her. Anger gave her strength and she was going to use it to help get herself away. “I was living at his house. How is that not real?” She pulled the chain from around her neck which had the ring still on it. “Does this ring look fake to you?”

“It’s not on your finger—that’s all I need to know. Now shut up and listen to me. If you do, then I may not have to hurt you.”

That was a hollow promise if she’d ever heard one. Patrick wasn’t going to let her get out of this alive. But on the off chance that her cooperation would make him complacent, she would take it. “Whatever.”

He slammed the steering wheel. “If I wasn’t driving, I’d backhand you for that insolence.”

Lauren bit her lip to stop from saying it again. She sat in silence as they got closer and closer to Charlee’s school.

Where help waited.

Andy was there. He had to know what happened at Reed’s. Once he saw her arrive with Patrick he’d be ready to take her ex down.

Maybe he’d already gotten Charlee to a safe place. Lauren clung to that thought, she couldn’t imagine having her baby involved in something like this.

“Don’t be thinking that help will be at the school when we get there.”

“What did you do?” she whispered.

Had Patrick killed Andy? God she would never forgive herself if he had. It was already bad enough that Reed could be dead. She hadn’t allowed herself to think or feel anything about Reed being shot since she’d gotten into the car. If she did she was afraid she’d fall apart, and she couldn’t do that. She needed to keep all her feelings buried because it was up to her to keep Charlee safe.

“I did what I had to.” They pulled up to the school and he got her out of the car. His fingers dug into her arm. “Now let’s go get our darling daughter. I think it’s time we became a family, don’t you?” He ran his finger down her cheek and Lauren swallowed down the urge to vomit all over his feet.

How had she ever allowed Patrick to touch her? To be intimate with her. Everything about him now revolted her.

“And don’t try anything sneaky to give the staff a message of what’s going on.” Patrick hissed in her ear. “Remember I have a gun and I’m not afraid to use it.”

No, she wasn’t going to risk Charlee’s life or any of the student and teachers in Charlee’s school.

“Then use it. On me. I’m not taking you in there, Patrick.”

Was she taking a huge risk and putting her life on the line? Yes, and if her life ended then it ended, but she would know her daughter was safe, because her being killed on school grounds would bring the authorities and Charlee would be safe.

Patrick laughed. “Very magnanimous of you.” He leaned close, his face millimeters from hers. “But I will still get her because in all the chaos little children go missing. You know I’m not afraid to use this. I have already. How many more lives do you want on your conscience, Lauren?”

Bile rose in her throat, and she swallowed it down. Did she have a choice?

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