Stolen Kiss (Erotic Thriller)

Chapter 21

The sun had risen to its peak when Natalie hobbled out to her car and slid into the driver's seat. She jumped violently when the radio blared to life and she quickly smashed the audio off button. All she wanted was to pick up Raiden early from daycare and disappear.

She needed to make it up to him for the scare he'd had last night, deciding that a weekend away was needed. He was teary and quiet this morning, jumping at the slightest noise as she'd made him his favorite breakfast, trying to move as little as possible from the injuries David inflicted.

When Raiden hugged her leg as she poured syrup on his waffles, Natalie felt her emotional wall collapse. She'd dropped to her knees and her son, so young and loving, wrapped his arms around her neck.

"I'm sorry Daddy hurt you, momma," he whispered.

Tears spilled down her cheeks and she kissed his forehead. "He'll never hurt either of us again, baby. I swear to it."

"It's okay, momma. I love you." He followed her to the table and quietly ate his waffles. Natalie was grateful another mother was able to carpool him to daycare at short notice.

Still, she hated herself for believing David. True she had taunted him. Maybe she deserved it. Maybe he never intended to stay. He had been so...normal. Loving and compassionate, open and...had he been honest? Had he truly been medicated? She'd seen the bottles but never actually saw him take the pills.

How could I be so stupid to believe him, she thought to herself. If it meant disappearing again, with Raiden, then so be it. She wouldn't let him anywhere near her son ever again. Richie had been right when he'd visited for Christmas...if only she had listened.

Natalie frowned as a Porsche followed too close behind her and pulled onto the highway, merging into traffic. Still the Porsche followed. The hum of rubber on cement lulled her nerves and she dialed the daycare number.

"Hello, Sunny Side DayCare, this is Sarah," the sweet voice on the other end greeted.

"Hi, this is Natalie Brockman. I was calling to ask about possibly adding security details for my son Raiden," she replied.

"Raiden is a darling and so smart! He got a gold star today for helping with snack time. Got a little fussy when his Dad picked him up," Sarah said.

"What?! No!" Natalie yelled, her stomach dropped, "When? When...when was this?"

There was a momentary pause before Sarah answered, "An hour ago. Yeah right here...he signed the log book. Richie Sambora. Had a photo ID and Mr. Sambora is the only other one you have listed."

"What did he look like?" Natalie asked anxiously, "Brunette or blonde?"

"Tall, blonde, curly hair. Ear piercings too. Four, I believe. Leather jacket."

"Oh fuck!" Natalie breathed, "Tha- that's not Richie. Call the police. I'm five minutes away."

Natalie hung up the phone and glanced up in time to see traffic had stopped. She slammed on her brakes but the car didn't slow. Over and over she stomped on the pedal to no avail. Natalie screamed and jerked the steering wheel to the right.

The teeth-grinding sound of metal on metal. Horns blaring. Her car hit the others at full speed and flipped. She had a split second vision of a semi-truck grill. Her last thoughts were of Raiden before the world exploded around her then fell black.

*~*Richie's POV*~*

Richie was working at the studio space across town, fine-tuning some new songs he was recording for a solo project when his phone rang. He smiled at the photo of Natalie and Raiden.