Chapter 318: I Know What I Must Do

David’s POV

The words ripped out of me before I could stop them, voice cracking like a teenager’s. “Are you… leaving me? Did I do something wrong?”

Holly didn’t even blink. She gently set Caden down on the porch step. “Baby, go stay with Mommy inside. I’ll be right there, okay?”

The little boy nodded, eyes big, and scampered back through the door. Then she stepped straight into me, arms sliding around my neck like they belonged there.

I held her waist tight, afraid that she would run away if I let go.

“I’ll do better, Holly. I’m sorry for giving you a hard time…so please…Holly…please don’t leave me now. I need you,” I said shamelessly.

“Leave you?” she said, fierce and soft all at once. “Do you know how many people I got out of the way just to get your attention? The things I did? I paid a call girl house, dressed up like a hooker, and fucked you in that hotel room, David. You think I can give all that up now? After everything?”

My hands locked tighter on her waist, pulling her flush against me so there wasn’t an inch of space left.

I smiled…real, stupid, relieved…right there on Kayla’s front lawn. “I still can’t believe you were that crazy. I guess somewhere deep down I suspected you and Candy were the same person.”

She burst out laughing, head tipping back. “That’s a lie! You had no clue! You hated Holly back then, but would call Candy over every night.”

We both cracked up, the kind of laugh that shakes the fear right out of your bones. For two seconds the whole nightmare felt far away.

Then I asked, quieter, “Why are you leaving, then?”

She exhaled, shoulders dropping. “Caden is not safe here. I have to take him to LA to stay with Ava for a while. Just until Kayla sorts things out on this end.”

“Sort things?” My stomach tightened. “Is she in some kind of trouble?”

Holly nodded, eyes serious. “Her baby daddy…the one who denied the pregnancy back then…he tracked them down. He wants to take Caden away. There’s no way we’re letting that happen. Caden will be safe with Ava and Orion in LA, so I’m taking him there tomorrow. Then I’ll come straight back and help Kayla fight this asshole.”

Right on cue, Kayla burst out the front door, arms loaded with two duffel bags and a rolling suitcase, breathing hard. “We’re ready, Holly! Hi David,” she added.

I waved at her and glanced at the bags. “Where are you guys going tonight? I thought you said you’re leaving in the morning?”

Holly shrugged like it was no big deal. “Checking into a hotel. He broke into the house this morning. What if he tries it again tonight and kidnaps Caden? I already booked my flight…first thing in the morning, before that asshole gets any wind of what’s going on.”

Norman stepped up, all polite smiles, and started helping Kayla load everything into her car without being asked. Trunk clicked shut.

I turned back to Holly. “Let me come with you.”

“No,” she said gently, cupping my face. “You already have a mountain on your plate right now. I’ll drop Caden off with my sister and I’m coming straight back. Promise.”

Kayla yelled from the driver’s seat, “Holly! Hurry! We need to leave…I already locked up the house!”

Holly gave me one quick kiss on the cheek, then jogged over to Tyler, who was leaning against his car like he’d been waiting the whole time.

She threw her arms around him. “I’m gonna miss you. Thank you for everything…for real.”

They hugged tight before she pulled back. Jealousy washed through me but I managed to swallow it. No need losing my mind over a simple hug…right?

“Are you still leaving tomorrow with your fiancée?” I heard her asking him.

Tyler nodded, grinning. “Yeah. The adults keep creating chaos back home…we gotta go and prepare for the long awaited engagement party.”

She laughed softly. “You guys look so good together. I can’t wait for you both to make it official,” she said and then added. “Oh, and tell Seraphina I said hi.”

Tyler nodded, telling her to keep in touch.

She agreed to that and then turned, looked straight at me one last time. “I’ll be back. Until then… I don’t want any girls around you, got it?” She winked, still laughing, and slid into the passenger seat.

Kayla peeled out so fast the tires squealed. Taillights disappeared around the corner.

I just stood there, frozen on the sidewalk, feeling like someone had yanked the ground out from under me. Could I really let her go alone? After everything?

Norman clapped me on the back. “Come on, man. Let me get you home. Tomorrow’s Sunday and I’ve got so much laundry piled up…you believe I haven’t even washed a single shirt for work on Monday?”

I let out a tired laugh. “You’re a dirty guy, Norman. Just get a washing machine already.”

He snorted as we climbed into his car. “Even if I get one, I won’t use it. I’ll still have to pack everything up and take it to the laundry guys like always.”

The engine started and we rolled out of the neighborhood. Norman got quiet for a second, then serious. “You gonna go visit your father soon? Explain the situation to him or something?”

“It’s inevitable,” I said. “Me and Justin…when everything settles. We’ll go together to see the old man.”

He nodded, eyes on the road. “Good.”

The rest of the drive he kept talking…something about an important meeting scheduled for Monday, deadlines, the usual Norman stuff.

I nodded at the right spots, said “yeah” when I needed to, but my mind wasn’t there.

It was already on a plane to LA with Holly. What if something happens to her on the way? What if that Caleb guy figures it out? She needs me to protect her…doesn’t she?

I know exactly what I must do.