His Shortcake

Chapter 48

Tamara Ramirez

"I'll see you tonight, baby girl," Alec said with a sigh, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"You be careful, okay?" I asked, my voice almost pleading. The anxiety gnawed at me as I looked over at Emil, who stood quietly behind Alec, awaiting orders. "Take Emil with you."

"No. You take Emil with you, and I'll take Nica. She's waiting for us outside," he replied firmly, ushering us out of the hospital and toward the parking lot.

Nica was easy to spot, standing patiently between two cars—Alec's and Dustyn's. "Nica, you're coming with me to the police station," Alec instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Nica nodded, stepping toward Alec's car. Dustyn, on the other hand, handed his keys to Emil, who quickly opened the car doors and started the engine, the soft purr echoing in the tense atmosphere.

"Alec," I said disapprovingly, my gaze shifting back to Emil. I wasn't thrilled about him accompanying me; I felt he could be of more help with Alec. "I prefer Nica's company right now." Emil still seemed to be watching me like a hawk, his concern palpable after everything that had happened.

I could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on me, their worry like a heavy blanket. It was suffocating, and I knew this protective instinct wouldn't fade anytime soon. The tension hung in the air, thick with uncertainty, as we prepared to go our separate ways.

"I know you're worried, but I need you to trust me," Alec said, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "Emil will look out for you."

I hesitated, my heart racing with conflicting emotions. "Just... promise me you'll be careful."

Alec stepped closer, cupping my face in his hands. "I promise. Just keep your phone on, okay? I'll update you as soon as I can."

With a reluctant nod, I stepped away, feeling the distance between us stretch as I got into Dustyn's car. As the engine hummed to life, I caught one last glimpse of Alec, his eyes filled with determination. I hoped that whatever lay ahead wouldn't tear our family apart any further.

Alec looked at me, his gaze intense. "I will make sure Dad is safe, okay? You wait with Dustyn and Emil in the apartment," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I nodded in defeat, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "I love you, Alec. Be safe, okay?"

Alec smiled softly and kissed the top of my head, a comforting gesture that momentarily eased my anxiety. "I love you too, baby girl. I'll see you later." He closed the door with a firm resolve, his presence still lingering even as he stepped away.

Dustyn slid into the car from the other side, and Emil wasted no time. The moment Dustyn closed his door, Emil shifted the car into gear and drove out of the parking lot, leaving Alec standing there, a steadfast figure growing smaller in the rearview mirror.

As we pulled away, a knot tightened in my stomach. The unsettling thought of Alec heading into potential danger weighed heavily on me. Dad had just been found unconscious in his hotel room, a week after the attempted kidnapping.

What if these people were still out there? What if they targeted Alec next? The fear coiled tighter around my chest as I watched Alec's figure fade into the distance. I struggled to suppress the wave of dread that threatened to consume me, knowing all I could do now was wait.

Who knows what would happen next? Dad is unconscious, with who knows what kind of injury, I just got out of the hospital and Alec is serving cases on a golden platter left and right. None of us know how many of them are there. But one thing I know is that none of us is safe at this moment.