Chapter 10 The Bite
Jordan's P.O.V.
How could this happen? Dakota was holding both of our hands, and then she was gone. It was less than three seconds. Anushka is a mess, and I'm right there with her. I never thought someone would take Dakota. I thought whoever broke into our rooms was looking for me, or it was random. Why would they take Dakota?
"Mommyyyyyy, Daddyyyyyy." We hear Dakota's scream and turn to run in that direction. People are everywhere. I finally see her standing alone, but she has blood on her dress. Anushka picks her up and holds her tight as she cries.
"What happened, sweetheart? I was so scared." Anushka says. She turns away when I put my hand on her shoulder, and my heart breaks. I hope she's not blaming the fact that we were kissing for what happened.
"A man grabbed me, but I remembered what you said, Mommy. I bit his hand really hard, and it was nasty, but he yelled and dropped me. I screamed for you guys, and he ran away. Did I do a good job?" She asks, hopefully looking from her mom to me. I stroke her little head and smile.
"You did great. Did you see what he looked like?" I ask her. Anushka won't look at me. I have to reassure her that this isn't her fault. He was obviously waiting for a distraction to get Dakota.
"He was big but not big like you, Daddy. He had some black hair on his face and mean eyes. He called me a brat when I bit him." Anushka begins walking back to where we left our things without saying a word. I pack everything up in the bag so she can continue holding Dakota.
"We need to notify the police," I say as we walk back toward the hotel. Please don't let Anushka change her mind about everything. I don't want to lose them. I'll figure out who did this and if it has anything to do with the person who broke into our rooms.
"Can I sit on Daddy's shoulders?" Dakota asks. Anushka doesn't say anything, but I know she doesn't want her to.
"Why don't you let Mommy hold you for right now? When we couldn't find you, we were so scared. I'm sorry for letting go of your hand." My voice cracks as I think about what could have happened if Dakota hadn't bitten him. She smiles at me.
"I let go of your hand, and Mommy's hand when you were kissing. I wanted to see the fireworks better. When I let go of your hands, he grabbed me. I'm sorry I didn't hold on." Her little eyes well up with tears, and I stroke her head. Anushka finally looks at me, and it gives me a little hope. Maybe she's not going to tell me to get lost after all.
"It's not your fault, Dakota. Let's talk to the police so you can tell them what he looked like, okay?" She nods and lays her head on her mom's shoulder. I know she has to be exhausted. When we reach the hotel, we go to the front desk and ask them to call the police. They agree and say they will send them to the penthouse.
When we get upstairs, Anushka takes Dakota into their room and shuts the door. I hear bath water running. A few minutes later, there's a knock at the door. When I look through the peephole, it's a police officer.
"Hello, I'm Officer Daly. I received a call that there was an attempted kidnapping," he says when I open the door to let him in.
"Yes. We were on the beach, and when the fireworks started, a man took Dakota from the blanket we were on and ran off with her. She bit his hand and made him drop her. Let me get her and her mom so she can tell you more." I walk over to their bedroom door and knock. Anushka answers, carrying a freshly bathed Dakota. She reaches for me, and Anushka reluctantly hands her over. I hug her and kiss her head. I can't believe we almost lost her.
"The police are here," I tell them as my tears run down my cheeks. Anushka nods, and her face softens when she sees me wiping my tears away. I'm not afraid to admit how scared I was or even to cry. I may be getting too attached too quickly, but when you know it's right, you go for it. She raises her hand and wipes my tears.
"I'm sorry," she says softly.
"Sorry for what?" I ask.
"I was being selfish when we found her. I wanted Dakota all to myself, and that wasn't fair. I know you just came into our lives, but you two already have a bond. I shouldn't have kept you from her when you were hurting too." I sigh in relief. I thought she was going to say she was sorry, but she couldn't be with me. I pull her into my arms, and we have a family hug.
"You were scared, and it's only been the two of you for years. You have every right to be selfish." I kiss her head, and then Dakota's, before we walk to the waiting officer. He smiles as we all take a seat. Dakota sits on my lap, and Anushka sits beside me, holding my hand.
"So, can you tell me what happened?" Officer Daly asks Dakota.
"Mommy and Daddy were kissing when the fireworks started. I wanted to see them better, so I let go of their hands. That's when the man grabbed me and put his yucky hand over my mouth. Mommy said if anyone ever did that, to bite them as hard as I could. I bit him super hard. I even got blood on my pink dress. He dropped me in the sand and called me a brat. I screamed for Mommy and Daddy, and he ran away." The officer looks at her with his mouth open. I know she's impressive for her age. I'm ready to hire her for my company already.
"You remember a lot," he says as he takes notes.
"I'll be five soon, so I'm almost big," Dakota says with a smile. Officer Daly smiles back at her as he shakes his head.
"Do you think you could come to the station in the morning to look at some pictures or help one of the sketch artists draw a picture of the man who took you?" He looks at Anushka and me.
"We'll be there," Anushka answers.
"One more thing before I go. Do you have the dress with the blood on it?" Dakota jumps up and runs to the bedroom. She holds the dress away from her and hands it to the officer who's putting on gloves. He takes the dress and puts it into an evidence bag.
"You can keep it. I don't want his nasty blood." Dakota says, jumping back onto my lap. I tell him about being poisoned on the beach and the break-in at the other hotel. After getting a few more details from us, the officer left.
"Let's get you to bed," Anushka tells Dakota. I stay back as they head to their bedroom. Anushka turns to look at me. "Do you want to help me tuck her in?"
"Yes, thank you," I practically run to them. She lays Dakota down, and her little eyes are already closing. Anushka kisses her forehead, and then I do the same.
"Goodnight, princess," I tell her softly.
"Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, Mommy." She mumbles as she goes to sleep. After shutting the bedroom door, Anushka grabs my hand and pulls me into the other room. As soon as we are in the living room, she pulls my face to hers and kisses me hard.
"I thought you were going to change your mind and tell me to leave," I tell her when she lets me come up for air. She smiles as she runs her fingers through my hair.
"To be honest, I was contemplating it. When I saw how worried you were about Dakota and how you took it when we found her, I realized I couldn't blame you or me. He would have waited for another opportunity if he hadn't gotten her tonight. I was ready to tell you I couldn't let you be a distraction. However, you're not a distraction. You're good for us. Yes, it's fast, and I might be crazy to do this when we barely know each other, and I have a daughter, but I want you, Jordan. I've never wanted anyone so badly in my life. I was numb for those few minutes Dakota was missing. I was so scared that I would never see her again. We have a lot of things to figure out, but right now, I just want to feel." She walks to the front door, checks the locks, and sets the alarm system.
"Take me to your room, Jordan.”