Fighting Blind

by C. M. Seabrook

  “Logan this is one of Theo’s friends, Moody.”

  She blinks several times, still staring up at him, then a broad smile forms, and she sings, “Moo. A cow says moo.”

  This time, I can’t help but giggle. Even Moody laughs.

  “Cute kid.”

  “Mama, come see.” Logan tugs on my leg.

  “All right. Just a second.”

  Moody nods. “He’s at the gym if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Oh and Mac?” Moody’s eyes drifted down to Logan, then back to me. “You really want to make things work with him?”

  “Yes.” More than anything.

  “Then you might want to rethink the kid calling him Theo.” His expression hardens for a moment, clouded by something else. “He’s her dad, and she’s lucky to have one that actually wants to be.”

  I swallow hard, then nod. He’s right.

  “Thanks.”

  Moody gives me a half smile, then turns to leave.

  Logan’s still pulling at my leg, trying to get my attention. “Come. My room.”

  “Okay,” I say, taking her hand and letting her drag me back to her room.

  I sit down on the carpet, beside the tilting tower Logan built, and pull her onto my lap, tickling her.

  “Did you make that?”

  “Yes,” she giggles, squirming away. She moves to her dolls, picking them up and placing each one in the bed Theo bought her.

  There’s a lightness to her steps, a shimmer in her eyes that was never there before. She’s safe here, and even at two years old she knows it.

  I feel a rush of emotions as I watch her.

  For the first time in years, I’m calm. Peaceful. Happy.

  And despite the anxiety that’s always in the back of my mind, I let myself believe that everything’s going to be okay.

  Chapter 27

  Theo

  I pound the heavy bag until my knuckles are raw and bleeding.

  “You should tape those,” Moody says, eyeing my fists.

  I shrug. Physical pain helps take my mind off the knowing ache in my chest.

  “How is she?” I ask, knowing he’s just been up to the apartment.

  “She’s not going anywhere.”

  I snort. “We’ll see.”

  Moody shrugs. “The girl’s head over heels for you.”

  “Right. And what makes you think that?” I plow my fist into the bag. “The fact that she’s lied to me from the second she walked in these doors or that she was going to take my kid and haul her ass out of town.”

  Moody’s silent for a moment, but I can feel his eyes on me.

  “She wasn’t going to take the kid,” he says quietly.

  I stop, grabbing the swinging bag, and stare at him. “What are you talking about?”

  He rubs the back of his neck.

  “Tell me,” I grit out through clenched teeth.

  “I don’t think she had any intention of taking the kid with her. When I found her, she was scared out of her fucking mind. The guy did a real number on her, and not just physically.” He glances around the gym, brows drawn down, then looks back at me. “I think she was trying to lure him away…from you, from Logan.”

  “Shit.” I sit down on the bench and place my head on my hands. I can’t even imagine what Mac was thinking if she was willing to leave Logan. “I need to find the bastard. I’ll crush his fucking neck when I get my hands on him.”

  “Let the police do their job. As long as she’s here, she’s safe.” He throws a towel at me. “Go have a shower, then talk to her. Don’t waste any more time than you already have.”

  “That wasn’t my choice,” I grumble.

  “No, but it is now,” he says, grinning. “Don’t be a douchebag. Figure out what you want and go get it.”

  I grunt when he walks away, looking way too pleased with himself.

  If he wasn’t so damn right, I’d remind him that he’s been pining after the same chick for the last four years.

  I close my eyes and inhale deeply. It’s not a question of what I want, or what I’m willing to give. Or even if I’m willing to go after it.

  I’ve known what I’ve wanted since I was sixteen years old.

  I want her.

  To take care of her.

  To love her.

  I’m just not sure she’ll let me.

  Chapter 28

  Mackenzie

  While Logan naps, I busy myself in the kitchen. I take my first batch of chocolate chip cookies from the oven, replacing it with a second tray, then set the timer.

  When Theo’s phone rings, I ignore it. But after the third attempt I pick up, not wanting the constant buzzing to wake Logan.

  “Mackenzie?” My mom’s raspy voice sends a chill down my spine.

  “How did you get this number?”

  “Don’t be rude. I came to visit you. To meet my granddaughter.”

  “You’re here?” I glance around the room nervously, like she somehow teleported into the room. That was my irrational fear with her, I always felt like she was around, hovering over me, listening to every conversation.

  I shake it off, knowing she couldn’t get past Theo’s security system.

  “Let me in, Mackenzie.”

  “Logan’s napping. It’s not a good time.”

  “It’s never a good time,” she whines into the phone, voice slightly slurred. “I brought her a gift.”

  Shit.

  “I’ll come down.”

  I hang up before she has the chance to argue. There’s no way I’m letting her up here, or anywhere near Logan. It sounds callous, I know. But the whole, honor your parents and all that crap is a bunch of bullshit. The woman is toxic. If it wasn’t for her and her terrible choice in men, I wouldn’t be in this Stefano situation.

  When I open the back door and see her pale, gaunt face, the deep lines etched into her tired face, my stomach does a little flip, and a sliver of guilt wedges its way into my conscience. Despite everything, she’s still my mom. She’s not evil like Stefano, she’s just selfish, narcissistic…weak.

  “Hi Mom.”

  “You look awful,” she says, reaching out to touch the bruise on my face. “Did that boy hurt you? I always knew he was no good.”

  “It wasn’t Theo.” I push her hand away and sigh. I almost tell her about Stef, let her know what an asshole the man truly is. But what’s the point? She never believed me where he was concerned. “You said you have something?”

  She frowns, looking over my shoulder and up the stairs. “You’re really not going to let me in?”

  “Logan’s sleeping and I don’t feel comfortable having guests over when Theo isn’t home.”

  “I’m not a guest. I’m your mother.” She sounds indignant.

  “What do you want, Mom?” My head begins to hurt, and my good mood is starting to turn sour.

  “You’re doing well. Got yourself all set up here.” Her eyes light up like it’s fucking Christmas morning when she nods at Theo’s GT350. “Time to repay the debt you owe me.”

  I should have known this was about money.

  “I don’t owe you anything. Don’t come back here again.”

  I start to shut the door. Her fingers snake out, grabbing my wrist, so tight her nails dig into my flesh. I watch her expression turn to one of rage.

  “You selfish little whore. After everything I’ve done for you.” Her other hand strikes me hard across the same cheek that’s already bruised and I see stars.

  “That’s enough, Terri. We don’t want to damage the goods. At least until we receive payment.” Stefano steps from the shadows, a gun pointed at my head. “I told you the bitch wouldn’t cooperate without a little motivation.”

  “What have you done?” I look at my crazy mother, fear rolling over me, my mind spinning.

  “Put the gun away, Stef. She’ll come with us.” She tightens her grip on my arm. “Won’t you, Darling?”

  “Just get the damn kid, and l
et’s get out of here.”

  “No.” I step out of the doorway, letting the heavy metal slam behind me, and hearing the click of the lock. “I won’t let you hurt her.”

  My mom drops my arm and rushes to the door, yanking on it with no success. “You stupid girl.”

  A click of metal and the gun is at my head.

  “We don’t have time for this shit. Get her in the car.” Stefano nudges me with the gun.

  My heart is pounding in my ears.

  “You can’t let him do this,” I plead with my mom, whose eyes are wide, looking between Stef and me.

  “Just keep your mouth shut. He won’t hurt you. We just want our money.”

  “Your money?” Tears are streaming down my cheeks. The betrayal of what she’s done, what she’s doing, too much for me to process.

  “No more talking,” Stef growls.

  Something hard hits the back of my head. I collapse on the pavement and the world goes dark.

  Chapter 29

  Theo

  “There’s a call on line one for you,” Evan says, popping his head around the office door when I walk by.

  “Take a message,” I grumble, tossing my towel in the bin beside the door.

  I can hear Evan arguing with whoever is on the other line. He covers the receiver with his palm and looks at me, gray brows furrowed.

  “It’s your security company. They’re saying your smoke alarms are going off, want to know if you want them to call the fire department.”

  I don’t answer, just grab my keys from the desk, and race out the door, nearly knocking Moody over when he steps in front of me.

  He’s behind me when I rush around the building. “What the hell’s going on?”

  My fingers feel like huge slabs of meat when I try to punch in the alarm code, finally getting it on the second attempt.

  As soon as I open the door, I hear the high-pitched beeping.

  Something is burning. I take the stairs two at a time. My apartment door is half-open, and smoke drifts like a mist along the ceiling, curling under the frame.

  Logan’s cries are like a beacon. She’s in her room, tears streaming down her cheeks, eyes bright red. I scoop her up, holding her tight against my chest, and try to calm her. But my own nerves are shot.

  “Sshhhh. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

  Where is Mac?

  I cover Logan’s ears against the continuous wail of the alarm.

  “Mackenzie?” I call out, running to my bedroom. I check both bathrooms, knowing I’m not going to find her.

  The alarm suddenly stops, and I hear Moody cursing from the kitchen.

  He’s pulling out a pan with what look like charred cookies, and tosses it into the sink.

  “She’s gone,” I say, voice cracking. Not wanting to believe that she’d actually take off again. But who am I kidding? Running is Mac’s specialty. Still, something just doesn’t feel right.

  “Mama,” Logan cries, giving a small hiccup, then sticking her thumb in her mouth and placing her head against my chest.

  “I know. We’ll find her,” I say, glancing around wildly. There’s no sign of a struggle, no sign of forced entrance. She’s just gone.

  She took off. Again.

  It’s the only explanation. But to leave Logan unattended…I shake my head, breathing hard. It doesn’t fit.

  She was baking fucking cookies for Christ’s sake.

  The need to curse, scream, break something rages through me. The only thing that keeps me sane is the small person in my arms.

  “We need to call the police,” Moody says, grabbing the phone from its charger.

  “And tell them what?” I say a little too forcefully, making Logan whimper. I lower my voice, keeping it steady, when I continue, “We don’t know if she ran or if…”

  “Her shoes,” Moody says, walking past me toward the front hall.

  “What?”

  “Her shoes are still here,” he says, pointing at the worn-out runners set against the wall.

  “If she didn’t take off, then where the hell is she?” I grit out, between clenched teeth.

  The thought that Stefano somehow got to her made every shred of common sense leave my head. I’ll kill the fucker with my bare hands.

  A dark look crosses Moody’s face, my own dread mirrored there. I don’t need him to speak to know what he’s thinking.

  “He wants money,” I say, remembering the text. I storm through the apartment, grabbing Logan’s overnight bag, and tossing items into it, while she clings to me. I pull out my phone, both fearing and hoping for something, anything. “If he has her, he’ll call or text.”

  “We need to go to the police,” Moody repeats.

  I know he’s right, but until we have proof, or at least know Stefano’s terms and conditions, I’m worried about making any quick decisions. I’m not taking chances. Not with Mac’s life.

  “The guy is a certified nut job. If he thinks we’ve called the police, there’s no telling what he’ll do to her.”

  “What do we do then?”

  “We wait.” I cover Logan’s ears and sneer, “Then I kill the bastard.”

  Chapter 30

  Mackenzie

  My head throbs like a jackhammer when I start to regain consciousness. Sticky faux leather clings to my cheek and something hard pushes into my ribs. I’m bent over, my hands tied behind my back, and when I try to scream I realize there’s duct tape covering my mouth.

  Bile burns in my throat, and I have to swallow it.

  I’m in a car. Alone. Stale cigarette smoke mixed with the lingering scent of body odor makes me gag. The windows are rolled down a couple inches and I can hear Stefano’s angry voice a few feet away.

  “I wanted that damn kid, but you had to fuck things up like you always do.”

  Logan.

  She’s by herself, in the apartment. Who knows when Theo will be home.

  The cookies. Shit. They’re still in the oven. Oh, God. What if it starts a fire?

  Terror rips through me, and despite the pain that sears my wrists, I start to struggle against the restraints.

  I’m able to loosen the tape slightly, when the door suddenly opens and I pitch forward onto the gravel. Pain explodes in my shoulder.

  “Get up,” Stefano growls, grabbing me by the hair.

  “You don’t have to hurt her,” my mom says, concern edging her voice.

  I almost laugh. Now she cares whether or not the asshole hurts me?

  “Stay there,” he says, shoving me to the ground. “And you–” He points at my mom. “Keep your mouth shut.”

  One glance around and I know where we are. He’s brought me to Hangman’s Cliff. Kids used to come here to park and make out on the weekends. Not that I ever came myself, but I know the spot from Theo’s stories.

  At night, you can see the entire city below. The road up isn’t used anymore. The city barricaded it after a bunch of drunk teens came up a few years back and accidentally drove their car over the hundred-foot edge.

  It’s remote. Only one way up and one way down. Whatever he has planned, I doubt he intends to let me leave here alive.

  He kneels beside me, eyes glittering with insanity. “Let’s call that bigshot boyfriend of yours. See how much he wants you to live.”

  I curse him through the tape and he laughs, stroking my cheek.

  “Such a wild little thing. I could have had some fun with you.” His fingers trail down my neck, cupping my breast, then squeezing hard. “Maybe I still can.”

  I hear my mom’s sharp intake of breath behind him, and her indignant response, “I’m tired and thirsty. Just make the call, so we can get our money and go home.”

  Was she that stupid? I glare at her over Stefano’s shoulder and she looks away. I’ve never hated the woman as much as I do now.

  He drops his hand, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. “I told you to shut the hell up.”

  She leans against the hood of the car and wipes the sweat off her upper lip
, then pulls out a small plastic bag of pills from her pockets, popping one in her mouth.

  “Now.” Stef punches in a number on his cell and brings it to his ear. The smirk that curls his lips makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “Time to have some fun.”

  Chapter 31

  Theo

  Fifteen thousand dollars. That’s all the cash I’m able to get. The fucking lunatic has given me two hours to bring him a million dollars. Two fucking hours. If he gave me two days, maybe. I’d have to liquidate half my assets. But even then, what bank is going to hand over that kind of money?

  “This isn’t going to work,” Moody says, helping me stuff the duffle bag with old newspapers. “We need to call the cops.”

  “You heard his threat. If I don’t bring the money, he’s going to kill her.”

  “You don’t have the money.”

  “But I have this.” I pull out a M1911 that was tucked in the back of my jeans. I fucking hate guns. But I’ll use it if I have to.

  “Shit.” Moody takes a step back. “Do you even know how to use that thing?”

  “I took a class when I bought it.”

  Moody curses under his breath. “Give it to me.” When I hesitate, he barks out, “Give me the fucking gun, Theo.”

  I still don’t hand it over. “I’m not going to let him hurt her.”

  “Neither am I, but you’ll end up hurting yourself with that thing. Let me hang on to it.” His hard gaze is locked on mine.

  “Fine.” I exhale through my nostrils, handing him the gun. “But if you need to use it–”

  “I will.”

  I give a sharp nod and turn back to the bag, laying the real cash over the newspaper.

  “Ready?”

  “Yeah.” Moody grabs the bag off the table and slings it over his shoulder.

  I read the text again as I get into the car.

  6:30 pm.

  Bottom of Byron Drive.

  Be Alone. Or she dies!

  It’s risky bringing Moody with me. But even riskier not to. He’s already threatened to call the police if I don’t let him come. If it were anyone else, I would have beaten the shit out of them for getting in my way. But it’s Moody, and I know his only intention is to help.