A Butler To Love ~A Christian Romance

Chapter 58 ~ Facing His Demons

"The Boss and Leroy are here."

That one sentence froze his blood. Wren tightened his grip on Leah's arms, trying to see her through the darkness, but night shielded her. If he could only see her teasing eyes and playful grin. If only her voice wasn't filled with as much dread and fear as he was feeling.  If only-. He swallowed a moan, closing his eyes as reality washed over him. There were no 'if onlys'. They had found him and by his ward's trembling frame, Leah had once again suffered at their hands.

This will never end, He thought. And, it was true. As long as the Boss and Leroy remained free, he would never be able to live a normal life consisting of a wife and children. Even without the prison of debt, he realized he would constantly be living in a prison of looking over his shoulder.

"I've got to finish this." As the words left his lips, a resolve settled over the ex-fighter. A resolve stronger than his fear. 

"What? Wh - What do you mean? We need to run and call the police and -" Leah's panicked words were cut off.

"The police are already on their way to the mansion. You need to go back and lead them here. Okay?"

Leah's hands found the loose material of his shirt and her body began to shake with intensity. "No! No, you can't go! I can't lose you, Wren."

Wren's spirit grieved as he pulled the girl to him, hugging her with the desperation. He knew full well this could be the last time he held her so. Lowering his head, he pressed a kiss to the top of her piled hair, doubting she had felt it but unable to resist. "And I'm terrified of a life without you, Princess. I'm terrified of them getting away. If we don't stop these guys tonight, there will be no way I can stay with you any longer. Please, be brave and run home. Please. . . I need to do this. People will only keep getting hurt as long as The Boss and Leroy stay free."

Her arms slipped from his chest to around his waist and he was squeezed with such strength, he wasn't sure he would be able to pry them off. But just as he moved to pull away, the young heiress released him and stepped back. Her hands wiped at her face, but even in the dark, he saw her chin lift.

"Beat the living daylights out of them, Butler Boy. I'll bring the police."

Despite the situation, the corner of Wren's lips tipped. "I'll do my best if they are still there."

"Oh my! I forgot!" Leah gasped. "A man helped me escape."

Wren frowned. "A man? What do you mean? Did you recognize him? Did he say his name?"

"No, it was so dark.. He did say he would handle The Boss and Leroy though." Leah paused before crying out. "Oh, Wren! What if he was just a passing civilian? They will kill him!"

Wren's gut twisted. Any hesitation about chasing the men vanished. "Get the police, Leah!"

Moving in unison, the two spun, bolting in opposite directions. Wren's heart pounded as he dashed towards the road at the edge of the forest he knew wasn't far. Perhaps it was his old training as a gangster that he had learned every route and road within a fifty-mile radius upon being hired as a butler.

His steps slowed as he drew nearer before settling into a steady walk. He strained to listen, stopping several times to gather his surroundings before pressing on. Finally, the faint sound of men's voices gave him the definite direction he was needing.

As he slipped from tree to tree, crouching low in the open spaces, he finally slid behind a large Oak that rested on the fringe of the forest. Not far away, he spotted a van and two men hunkered down in front of its tires. Wren's heart thumped at the long hair spilling over one of the men's shoulders. The one person he had never wanted to see again, was not even twenty yards away from him, squatted down at the front of the van.