Cruel Tenderness

[26] Kidnapped

Autumn P.O.V.

I heard him slam the door behind him. I knew my words hurt, but they cut me even more to utter them. This whole situation was too much for me. His intention was in the right place, but it doesn't make it right. I knew Akeem wasn't the best, but death is not something I wish on anybody. Him taking his life meant he was causing pain to more than just Akeem but his family as well. How would Akeems mom feel when she finds out her only child is gone? Dominic wasn't thinking about the impact this could leave on others. He was leaving love ones to deal with that hurt alone.

When I reached the top of the steps, I notice Allie standing in her pajamas with her homework in hand. The look on her face reeked with sadness. I knew me and Dominic had been loud, but I hope she hadn't heard us.

"What's wrong?" I said, bending down, bringing myself to her eye level.

"You and daddy are breaking up?" She said as a tear dropped from her eye.

What Dominic and I were going through had nothing to do with her. I made a promise that night we made it official in front of her. I promised her that I wasn't going to leave her by choice, and I meant that. Even if her dad and I don't work out, that doesn't change what she means to me. I know Allie liked me around because she loved having that mom figure. She's been surround by man for the past two years of her life. Having another female in the home made her feel good. I know she knew her dad, Lance, and papa loved her. But, her being a girl, she couldn't relate to them about everything. The stuff she felt comfortable talking to me about she wouldn't do with the guys. This hadn't surrounded her in a long time, and I knew this wasn't something she was willing to let go.

"Daddy and I aren't seeing eye to eye right now. You know people fight even when they love each other." I stopped for a minute. Did I say, love? I knew this caught her attention.

"Love?" The frown she wore just a second ago was soon replaced with a smile. "Well, if you love him. You will work it out. When you love somebody, you don't want to lose them." I knew what she was saying was right, but I needed time. I needed to wrap my head around the lifestyle I could be dealing with if I was to go any further with him.

"Your right, which is why I don't want to lose you. What happens between your dad and me has nothing to do with you. So, make sure you remember that." I said, poking her in her tummy, making her giggle. " Now, let us go to the TV room and finish this homework." I was already bending down to her eye level. So, I turned around, making my back face toward her so she can hop on. Once on and situated, I latched my arms around her legs providing her with that extra comfort of not falling. I began my way to the entertainment room. When we arrived, I removed my hands from around her legs—making her plop down on the couch—the room filled with giggles in laughter. I watched as she made her way to the table placed in front of the sofa. She set her homework done and was ready to get started. She turned her paper over, looking for something.

"I think I dropped my pencil on the way down the steps." She looked at me, saying. I laughed and nodded my head and went to retrieve it. When I entered out of the movie room, I made sure to retrace our steps. Sure enough, the pencil was lying on the steps. When I bent down to grab it, the ring of the doorbell broke my attention. I quickly picked the pencil up as I made my way to the front door. I peeked through the peephole. I notice a guy dressed in a UPS uniform with a box in his hand. I knew I didn't order anything but thought maybe Dominic did. When I opened the door, he looked at me and offered me a smile.

"Autumn, Wright?" He asked, and I nodded my head. "I have a special delivery for you." I watched as he opens the box and the rest happened all so fast. I watched as he pulled out a gun, dropping the box to the ground. I tried to rush back in, quickly pushing hard to shut the door. I had almost accomplished it, but he started to use his legs. This made the door fly open and me as well. I tried to get up, but he was already by my side, dragging me by my hair, trying to pull me out the front door. I was kicking and screaming. Once in the doorway, I held on to the sides, making it harder for him to drag me. I peeped as the pencil was lying next to me. I let one hand go off the frame, grabbing it. I quickly used it to stab the tip at his hands.