Family Ties [Sequel to She Belongs To Me]

The Meeting

Emily:

It was just a few minutes after midnight and I waited until James was snoring like a grizzly bear before I creeped out of bed.  I pinched back the tears that threatened to escape as I stared down at him.  He had been so wonderful to me these past few years, and it killed me that I had to hide this from him.

But if he knew what I was up to he would call the police in a heartbeat, and I was not willing to risk the life of my best friend. Hope was far too important to me to leave her at the mercy of a madman like Vincent. I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he would kill her if he didn't get his way. I was going to have to try and compromise with him.

I tiptoed down to the basement and pushed through some junk until I found the small safe we had stashed in the back corner. There wasn't much in it. Just a few valuables, some old pictures, and the 9mm pistol that James purchased for me the other day. I glanced over my shoulder before pulling the gun out of the safe and loading the magazine with bullets until it was full. I made sure the safety was on before stashing it in my purse. If Vincent wanted to play hardball I would be ready for him.

I made my way back upstairs and went into Cora's room. She was sleeping peacefully with a smile on her face and her arms wrapped around Popcorn. I bit my lip to hold back a sob as I sat beside her and rested my hand on her head. "I am so sorry, baby." I whispered, kissing her gently on the forehead. "I hope that one day you will understand why I had to do this." 

I scooped her into my arms and carried her out of the bedroom.  She groaned and her eyes fluttered open for a moment, then she laid her head on my chest and fell right back asleep.  A single tear streamed down my cheek and my footsteps faltered.  I felt like a criminal in my own home, sneaking around like some sort of night prowler.  What would Cora think if she could see her mother now?  She would think that I've gone off the deep end. 

Hell, maybe I have gone off the deep end, but I was tired of being afraid.  I was tired of constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering if he was watching my every move and waiting for a chance to strike.  If I didn't fight Vincent now he would control my life until one of us was dead, and that was not something I was prepared to live with any longer.

I carried Cora into my bedroom and gently laid her down next to her father. At least she would be with him in the morning when she found out that I was gone. I set a letter I had wrote to them onto the bedside table and made my way out to my car. My hands gripped the steering wheel as I began weeping uncontrollably at the thought that I may never see my family again.

I pulled myself together and began driving down the lonely road.  It was fifteen minutes before I pulled into our meeting spot.  There were no cars in sight, except for a black and orange camaro that was parked about a block down the road. 

But it wasn't him.

It was some young woman with black hair just sitting on the side of the road.  She was using her mirror to put on fire engine red lipstick, so I figured she was just meeting someone for a little late night hanky panky.  But that was none of my business. 

I had to focus on the task at hand. 

I glanced at the clock and tapped my fingers anxiously on the steering wheel.  Vincent was supposed to meet me at one o'clock sharp, and it was already ten after.  Where the hell was he?

****

Vincent:

My heart was pounding like a drum as I sped down the dark road. I was running late to meet with Emily because of the stupid stunt that Hope pulled earlier, so I decided to punish her by making her ride in the trunk for five hours.  Of course, being the gentleman that I am, I pulled over every now and then to make sure she was getting enough air to survive.  She wouldn't be much use to me if she suffocated.

Stella was several miles ahead of me in her camaro.  She was going to park about a block down the road from where I was meeting Emily just in case something went wrong.  I figured Emily would not be foolish enough to involve the police, but if she did I would have Stella distract them by speeding by them so fast that they would have no choice but to chase her. She hated the idea, but she owed me for nearly letting Hope escape.

I passed a sign that read 'Rockport 5 miles' and after that it wasn't long before I reached the abandoned coffee shop.  Stella flashed her lights at me from a block down and I flashed mine back, then I pulled into the parking lot across from a small red car.  Sitting in the driver's seat was my sweet Emily.

We stepped out of our cars at the same time and I could not help but smile when I saw her.  She was wearing an oversized pink shirt with a pair of gray yoga pants, and her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail.  But she was just as beautiful as the day I met her.  I slowly approached her and put my hands on her porcelain face.  "Emily...." I whispered, "It has been far too long, my love."

"Vincent, I-"

Before she could say another word I pressed my mouth against hers.  Her body tensed as I nibbled at her bottom lip and forced my tongue inside of her mouth.  She tasted so sweet that I scarcely noticed her trying to push me away by putting her hands on my chest.  She was just being shy because of how long it has been since we last kissed.  It was adorable.

I grabbed her wrists with one hand and held them securely, while I snaked my other hand up her blouse. My member began throbbing inside of my pants as I gave one of her breasts a rough squeeze.  I would have taken it further but the tears that fell down her cheeks dampened my libido. I tore myself away from her and put my hands on her arms.  "No, please don't cry!  I didn't mean to frighten you."

She bit her lip and I used my thumb to wipe her tears away.  "Forgive me, Emily.  I just missed you so much while I was away.  You cannot even begin to imagine the anguish I went through over the last few years."

My hands began trembling and she backed away from me.  "That place was hell, Emily.  Pure hell.  The only thing that got me through was knowing that I was going to see you again."

"Vincent-"

I pressed my finger to her lips before she could apologize.  "You don't have to blame yourself, my love.  I am just glad that we are finally back together and that we can finally pick up where we left off. Just you, me, and my sweet little girl."

"Vincent, there's something I need to tell you-"

"Where is my baby girl anyway?"  I interrupted, "I have been dying to meet her."

I could tell by the way Emily tensed that I wasn't going to like the answer.  She folded her arms in front of her chest and said, "She's not here."