Can't Walk Away (The Thomas Family Chronicles #1)

by Ashlee Taylor

  I didn’t take my eyes off her the whole ride. She didn’t look anywhere except down at our sleeping daughter. I was desperate to make sure that she would feel comfortable in my house. I needed her not to be like this anymore.

  When we got to the house, she looked around. We weren’t close to the road, she couldn’t see any cars. She actually let out a sigh when I opened my door. Grabbing her bags and Layla’s car seat, I helped her out of the car and into the house.

  Standing in my foyer, I pointed in the directions of where things were. I took her to the kitchen and she put some of Layla’s formula and food where it belonged. I guided her back down the hallway and up the stairs to my floor.

  There was a flurry of people standing in the hallway removing items and moving in others. I turned her in the other direction to one of the quieter places. It was an old room that was originally my office until I moved it downstairs. It still had a desk and a couch.

  Christianna moved independently around the room. She created a little makeshift bed with blankets on the couch, taking Layla out of her seat and laying her down. She stretched out and sighed, making little sucking noises with her mouth before she turned to her side and fell back asleep. Christianna sat on the floor by our daughter, then covered her up before turning to me.

  “Is this your room?”

  “Not anymore. This was originally my office, but I decided it would be more convenient downstairs.”

  She looked at me and then looked away. She was very apprehensive about asking me whatever question that plagued her mind.

  “Would you mind if I used this space to write in?”

  “Of course not. You just let me know what you need in here and I’ll take care of it for you.”

  For the first time in the day and a half since everything went to shit, she looked up at me and smiled.

  “Could you ask them to bring Layla’s playpen? It’s in my office at home. Also, could we get her a walker? I think she’d like to scoot around on these hardwood floors.”

  “I will take care of all of that.”

  The doorbell rang and I excused myself to see who it was. Normally my guys were there to answer the door. I didn’t know what the issue was. When I got halfway down the stairs, I saw Bobby standing in the foyer with the delivery guys.

  Calling for my housekeeper Laura, I let her know who they were and what they were going to do. I told her to let them set up each piece in the room and that we’d move it around later. I needed them in and out and reminded her that there was a sleeping baby. She nodded and smiled, then took off with them, making sure they kept the sound down to a minimum.

  I told Bobby and Luke that I needed to sit down with them after I checked on my girls again. When I got to the room, I found Christianna in the same spot except she was asleep. I wanted to let her sit there and rest, but I didn’t have the heart to leave her in that uncomfortable position. I went out into the hallway and got Laura. I told her I wanted to move them into my room. She nodded and followed me. She picked up Layla carefully and carried her out of the room toward the other end of the hallway. I picked up Christianna and she didn’t even flinch, she just turned into my arms, causing me to smile.

  Laura had built Layla a spot on my bed, tucking her into the blankets as she pulled back the covers and laid Christianna in.

  “Beautiful,” she said as she looked at them and then back to me.

  “They are.” I smiled back to her and she left the room.

  I kissed them both before I left the room. Everything that was dear to me was behind that door. I didn’t want to walk away.

  Downstairs in my office, Bobby placed some paperwork on the desk and I started to look at it.

  “We have a lead, and it’s not good news.”

  Chapter Nine

  Christianna

  I woke up in a strange bed, surrounded by the heaviest comforter I’ve ever felt. Checking my surroundings, I noticed Layla was lying comfortably next to me. I rolled over and checked on her. She was just waking up when she turned to me, looking at each other face to face.

  She smiled her little toothy grin and I scooped her up, kissing her cheek. She hugged into me. I noticed she was ready for a diaper change and it was about time for her to eat something.

  Picking her up and sliding out of the bed, I peered into the now empty hallway. I remembered this way, I could see into the room at the end of the hall because the door was open. I walked a few steps toward the room that Nicholas said would be mine. I pushed open the door and was taken back by what I saw. The room was bright with blush pink walls accompanied by the most beautiful furniture I’d ever seen. It looked antique.

  The door connecting the room next door was open, so I walked through, thinking it was a bathroom. I was pleasantly surprised to see a whole room outfitted with baby furniture, complete with a changing table and diapers already waiting.

  Laying Layla down, I cleaned her up quickly, throwing the dirty diaper into a nearby trash can. I sat Layla down in the crib that was lined with sparkly princess pink bedding and her stuffed bunny. I found a bathroom off to the other side of the room and went to wash my hands. In the bathroom, I found all of Layla’s baby washes and shampoo along with her bath chair.

  Someone had thought of everything.

  When I went back in to check on Layla, she had pulled herself up on the crib rails and was sucking the wooden post.

  “My little girl’s hungry. You want to get some food?” I asked, which caused her to jump in her spot.

  Picking her up again, I pulled her bunny out of the crib, handing it to her. I followed the way down the steps Nicholas had shown me. I made the turn down the hallway toward the kitchen. When I stepped into the room there was a woman I hadn’t seen before standing before the stove, cooking.

  When she looked up at me, she smiled. I noticed that Layla’s high chair was sitting next to the breakfast table.

  “You look like you enjoyed your nap,” she said before sliding a pan into the oven.

  “I did, thank you. I guess I didn’t realize how tired we both were,” I said while placing Layla in her high chair.

  “I hope you don’t mind, I made some fresh applesauce for her. I used to make it for my little ones and Nico when he was a baby.”

  I smiled at her kindness. “Thank you, I think she’ll love that.”

  I went over to make her a bottle. The bottle warmer had it ready in under a minute. She handed me a bowl of the fresh made applesauce and I carried them both over to Layla, who went crazy as soon as she saw them. Snatching the bottle out of my hand, she had half of it sucked down before I pulled a chair and sat down with her.

  She went crazy over the applesauce. As soon as I gave her a spoonful she had her mouth opened again for another.

  “An appetite just like her daddy,” she said with a little laugh.

  “What is like her daddy? I hope it’s not his big head,” a voice said behind us. I turned to see Luke standing there waving at Layla.

  “She’s eating the applesauce I make for Nico.”

  “You made applesauce? Please tell me you made pork for dinner tonight,” Luke asked, bouncing on his heels like a little kid.

  “Maybe, you’ll have to wait to find out.”

  “Yes! I hope you cook like this more often now that we have guests.”

  Thinking they didn’t get home cooked meals as often as they’d like, I decided the best thing I could do was find a way to help out.

  “I’d like to cook sometimes for you all too, if it’s okay. I’d like to help out, pay my way.”

  “Christianna, you don’t need to pay for anything.” He shook his head. “Besides, Nico wouldn’t hear of it.

  “Well, I want to contribute,” I countered, turning back to feed Layla more.

  “Contribute to what?” That voice I knew was unmistakably Nicholas.

  “Christianna wants to start cooking and pay her way around here.”

  “Christianna, that isn’t necessary. You’re a gu
est here, you don’t need to pay your way. You can cook if you want to, but that’s not a requirement.”

  I turned back to the three of them. “Thank you for understanding, but I’d like to help out. I saw what you’ve done upstairs in that room for Layla and me.”

  “Wait a second,” Nicholas started. “Layla is my daughter too. I would have made her a bedroom in my home anyway. Even though you’re here with her, under these circumstances you’re not required to pay your way regardless.”

  I opened my mouth to counter what he just said.

  “No, don’t interrupt,” he said. “I know this isn’t going to be easy on you at first. All I’m asking is that you please just let me do this for you. Let me take care of you and our daughter without you getting upset. All I’m doing is helping. I’ll concede to the dinners, you want to buy things for you, that’s fine. However, you won’t provide sole care for our daughter when it’s also my responsibility. Plus you’re paying for your house, car, and all those things. The least I can do is provide for that stuff.”

  I couldn’t say a word, I was at a loss. I wanted to get mad and pissed off. Here I was in his house, surrounded by people I didn’t know. I just turned back to feed her. I tuned them all out, trying not to cry. I needed my mother and my siblings, I needed my dad. The problem was all of them seemed to be okay with what was going on.

  My question is how could anyone be okay after finding out that someone wanted to cause you harm? The person you’re supposed to trust to keep everything safe and secure is the one with all the secrets. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with this. I needed some sense of normalcy, something I could get back into.

  Going back to my routine before he came along would be a good way to start. I had so many things I had to complete, deadlines to finish, and all of that. I finished feeding Layla and set about cleaning her up. I didn’t even give any of them a second glance even though I knew they were standing around me, looking at me as if I was some exhibit in a museum or a zoo.

  Pulling Layla from her high chair, I looked to Nicholas. “Are my bags upstairs?”

  “Yeah, in the room right next to mine.”

  “Do you have wifi?”

  “Yes, I’ll get you the password.”

  “Thank you,” I said before leaving the room.

  I raced up the stairs to the third floor to my room. Sitting Layla in the middle of the bed, I found the bag that contained my laptop. I pulled it out, laying it on the bed. I picked up Layla and we went into her room. I sat down on the floor with her.

  Watching as she looked around at her new surroundings, she got herself on her hands and knees and started to rock herself back and forth before she started to crawl along the little area rug.

  “I didn’t know she could do that,” the voice said and I looked up to see Nicholas standing in the doorway.

  “Well, since you’ve been around, she’s done nothing but want you to hold her.”

  He smiled, chuckled a little bit, and then pointed at the floor. “Do you mind?”

  “No, go ahead.”

  Nicholas sat on the rug just like me. As soon as he did, Layla scooted on her little knees as fast as they would carry her until she climbed in his lap and sat up.

  “Every time she does this, I find it amazing.”

  “Amazing in what way?” I questioned.

  He smiled again, looking down at Layla before looking at me. “I’ve only known her a handful of days, but in those days she’s accepted me. It’s like she has a connection, like she knows I’m her dad. I don’t know, it’s just all I could come up with.”

  “No, I think you’re on to something. I mean she’s not like this with anyone else except me. She usually will be held for a few minutes by someone else before she’s kicking out to get to me. Seeing her take to you is a joy, I’m glad she does.”

  We both watched in awe as Layla pulled herself up to stand on shaky legs against Nicholas’ chest. He was amazing in the way he held her so she wouldn’t fall backwards. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him that he had only been around her a few days.

  “I brought you the password for the Wi-Fi,” he said, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket.

  “Thanks, I’ll just be a second.”

  I went into my room and grabbed my laptop. Opening it up, I went through the steps to set up the Wi-Fi. Once it was connected I carried the laptop into the other room. I resumed my spot, seeing that Nicholas and Layla were playing with some of the toys I’d brought with us. I went to the baby store’s website and started looking up walkers.

  When I found one I liked, I clicked and added it to the cart.

  “I found a walker for Layla, it has toys along the tray. I think she’d like that. I’d like to have it delivered.”

  “You sure you want to wait for delivery? I can have someone pick it up.”

  “Do you think they’d mind?”

  He shook his head. “How about you make a list of all the things you want to get? I’ll even take a look at it and we’ll make them a list.”

  Looking back at the computer screen, I saw they had a “pickup in store” option. “Here, we can order all the things we want and we can pick them up in the store.”

  “All right then, let’s take a look. May I?” he asked, gesturing to the computer.

  “Be my guest.”

  Pulling the laptop into his lap that had now been vacated by Layla, he clicked open the cart, approving of my choice for walkers. He was also looking at stuffed animals. I even told him to grab a couple of baby gates for the stairs and the doorway. One that was mobile, so we could move it to wherever it needed to go.

  He also added a few more things he said were secrets. I just let him have his way since Layla decided that she wanted to go potty and let lose a smell that caused Nicholas to run out like a baby.

  Nicholas made me laugh. I actually felt safe. And now, I had to clean up our little girl so he’d come back and make me laugh some more.

  ***

  Nicholas

  Looking over the paperwork that Bobby left for me, I was livid. The night of the event someone had wired a hundred grand into this man’s bank account. Usually I’m not one for coincidences, but this seemed too big to ignore. The man had been out of work and collecting unemployment for a little over five months.

  Desperation would cause anyone to take up this opportunity, but choosing an absolute moron to do your dirty work was their downfall. It wouldn’t shock me if they didn’t try to obtain their money back when they realized that Richard E. Eubanks wouldn’t be fulfilling the obligation.

  “Before you ask, I withdrew the money so it looked like it was reversed from the sender. I donated it to charity.”

  “Has there been any activity on his phone?”

  “A burner cell continues to call, but I’ve made sure his voice mail was full. It’s going to look like he skipped town. Although, in his last text to the same number it said that she wasn’t at the house and possibly out of town. So I don’t know why he came back.”

  “Nico, no one is going to get to her here. I’m increasing security and putting people along the property. She’ll be more secure than the president is,” Bobby commented.

  “I know, I just don’t like that she’s so scared. I want to see her smile and have no cares in the world. This really pisses me the fuck off that some asshole did this. You’ve double checked everyone in her background and made sure this threat isn’t coming from her side?”

  “Nico, she’s clean. She doesn’t have social media outside of her family, she hangs out with her family. It seems that the time after she found out she was pregnant, she dropped off the radar. It’s like her life is all consumed by writing and Layla.”

  “Then it’s on our end.”

  “Which means it’s a personal move against, you,” Bobby said and I nodded.

  “That means blood will spill. It’s about time we had a little bit of fun.”

  Shaking my head at Luke’s words, I remember
ed when I said I didn’t want to have to kill unless it was completely necessary. Any killings that came after someone threatened my family would be necessary. If she continued to cry, I would put in a little torture just to satisfy that too.

  There was a knock on the door. The three of us turned after I said, “Enter.”

  “Nico, I just wanted to let you know that the delivery men just left. I’m washing the bedding now and it should be done within the hour. I just wanted you to check the room to see if anything is missing. I also put away the diapers and wipes in the changing table to make it easier.”

  “Thank you for everything. I’ll go up and check on it as soon as we’re done.”

  “Good, I’m going to start dinner. I expect you all to be around as well. I’m making a feast to welcome our guests.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Once I finished up all of the loose ends with the guys, they went off to double check a few things on their ends. Bobby was going to find Jeffery to see what else they’d come up with. I went upstairs to check on my girls. Walking straight to my room, I quietly opened the door. They were both still sleeping soundly. It brought a smile to my lips to see them so peaceful in my bed.

  Closing the door, I went into what would be their room. Christianna’s room was cleaned and straightened with her bags placed gently against the wall. I walked into the connecting room and it was perfect. I had never envisioned a child’s room before, I didn’t even think I ever really wanted to have kids. It looked perfect, although she did need more things like clothes and toys. I needed to investigate what kind of toys seven month old little girls liked to play with.

  I also wanted to look into getting her one of those elaborate play sets complete with the forts. I had seen them in a catalog once…I couldn’t remember the name of the company, but it wouldn’t be hard to find out seeing how the internet was a treasure trove of hidden gems.

  Voices resonated out in the hallway. I went out to stop them from waking up Christianna and Layla.

  “Oh sorry, man. They just dropped off a bunch of boxes of stuff that came from Christianna’s house. We were just bringing them up.”