Chapter 11

**The Threat Becomes Real**  

The Viewpoint of Emma

The day was weighing heavily on me as I stepped onto my porch, where the air was cool and fresh.  I was exhausted and felt like a second skin because the bookstore had been busier than usual.  My breath, however, froze in my throat as I grabbed for the handle.

My feet held a little, folded letter.

The front of the paper had my name written in big, almost irate, strokes, and it was slightly crumpled, as if it had been handled hard.  My hands shook as I knelt down to retrieve it.  There was a strong feeling of dread in my gut.  Even before I opened the paper, I knew who it was from.

Dominico.

My vision blurred at the words scribbled within the note as I opened with care it, my heart hammering hard against my ribs.

Emma, did I forget about you? 

 incredibly very reckless of you.  

 By now, you need to realize that you cannot flee from me.  

 But I'm not going to simply take you back this time.  Everything will be mine. Additionally, your young lads.  Will they be as rebellious as their mother?  

 "See you soon."  

I was so numb that the note fell from my fingertips.  The night air didn't cause the chill that rushed down my spine.

not my boys.  God, how I wish.

As I struggled to breathe, I gripped my stomach.  I tried to make sense of it all while my thoughts raced.  He had found me, but how?  What had he done to find me after all these years?

I snapped around, looking around the dimly lit street, my heart pounding in my ears.  It was quiet and serene in the neighborhood, but all of a sudden every shadow seemed dangerous.  Each parking space appeared to be a hiding spot.  Grasping my keys with shaking hands, I struggled with the latch before shoving the door open and slamming it behind me.

My boys.   Checking on my boys was a must.

I hurled their own bedroom door open and ran down the hall.  Curled up in their mattresses, the twins were content and oblivious to the danger that lurked just beyond their world.  Despite the tears blazing in my eyes, I bit my lip hard.  I couldn't panic.  It was too costly for me to lose control.  I have to consider.  I had to get something done.

Hands trembling. I grabbed my cell phone along with punched in the only number that came to mind.

Jake.

Only once did it ring.  On two occasions.

Emma?  His tone was rough, tinged with fatigue and, more than that, worry.

“I—”   I made myself talk even though my throat was closing.  "I want you to visit.  Presently.

Before the sound of movement on the other end, there was quiet.  Are you in pain?

“No”.  I sounded halting.  But I must have you here.  Could you please?

"I am en route."

I let my phone fall to the kitchen counter after the line died.  Trying to control my trembling hands, I took a deep breath and pressed myself into the surface.  Time passed interminably while I waited, flinching at every little sound outside.

Then there was a knock.

My hands still shaking, I wrenched the door open and latched it in a hurry to answer it.  Jake's black eyes swept over me as he stood there, his face tense with worry.

"Emma---"

I interrupted his sentence.  Rather, I pushed the note into his hands and took a step back to observe him unfolding it.  As he read, he tensed his jaw and his knuckles turned white from the company he founded grip on the paper.

He looked up at me, his eyes piercing and angry.  "How did you locate this?"

With my body with regard to me, I muttered, "On my doorstep."  "He's here, Jake."  He found me.

Jake took a deep breath and clenched his hands at his sides.  He was silent for a while.  His voice then was low, controlled, yet roiling with silent anger.  He refuses to accept them.  He will not take you.

A tremor went through me.  "I am unsure of what to do."

After just a split second of hesitation, he stepped an additional step forward and gripped my arms, bringing me to face him.  Our goal is to keep them safe.  Protect yourself.  But I have to know everything first.

I forced a swallow.  I had run for years, avoiding him, avoiding this talk.  The past, however, had now overtaken me.  I was also unable to maintain my secrets.

With a trembling breath, I nodded.  “All right.

As though cementing me, Jake's hold on me intensified considerably as he let out a breath.  "Then begin at the beginning again."

Indeed, I did.

Jake's voice was harsh by the time I was done, although his face was unreadable.  “We aren’t waiting for him to do something else.”

Something outside drew his attention beforehand I could answer.  His whole body became rigid as his head moved across the window.

What is it?  I muttered, my stomach clenched with anxiety.

Jake made no response.  Quickly he walked to the door, yanked it open, and went out.  My heart was thumping in my chest as I followed.

The street was deserted.

However, another letter had been put on the cover of my automobile.

Jake took it in his hands, his face darkening with each moment as his eyes searched the words.

His voice was low and lethal as he turned to face me.  "Emma, pack your bags.  We're on our way.

I moved closer and peered over his shoulder.  

A run cannot last forever.  See you shortly.

Beside it was a solitary crimson rose.

A icy grip encircled my heart.

And the nightmare was only getting started, I knew that much was clear.