Chapter 10

Hello, Paisley,

It's a wonder that we haven't met since you have apparently been an interest for both of my sons. I'm not sure what you have that attracts them, but I assure you this isn't going to work.

Let me explain to you what is going to happen. First, you are not going to show this email to anyone. Second, you are going to pack up and move far away from both of my sons. Once you provide proof that you have done so, I will transfer one million dollars to your bank account. That's a lot of money considering my son has already paid off your debts.

If you fail to do what I say, you will find out the hard way what it's like to be at the end of my wrath. That son you have with mine will be taken from you in a heartbeat and you will NEVER see him again. It can't possibly be a healthy environment for him to grow up in, with you not having had a family to set an example of how things should go.

I will make sure that your son is not taken from you if you follow the rules, Paisley. You are not to have any contact with my children or their friends from here on out. There is so much more I can do to you and your son, but I will not go into details here.

I trust you to do the right thing for everyone involved.

Regards,

Mr. Hawkins

Paisley stared at the email and fought back tears. It wasn't surprising to get the email or the threats but it still scared her. She wasn't going to hide it from Luke though. She had faith that he would find a way to make everything okay and keep her and Garrett safe and together.

Luke was at Ryker's office again for the day so she sent him a text. It felt weird to call him, even if it was important. She didn't know what he was doing today and didn't want to interrupt.

Paisley: I got an email from your father. We're okay but he made threats.

There, she decided, that was all the information in one clear message. He could decide from there how long to take to respond.

Luke: Send it to me now.

She did as requested. Unsure if he would reply again, she set her phone down and went back to her emails.

Luke: Take our son? Like hell he will.

Paisley smiled. Luke defending their son was something to be admired and she knew then that she was right for putting her trust in him,

Paisley: I didn't reply or anything. Just told you about it when I saw it.

Luke: Are you working today?

Paisley: I was going to but I don't have to.

Luke: I'll be home soon to get you both. I don't want you out of my sight for the near future. Bring your laptop if you need to.

Paisley: We are safe here. Locked up tight in the house and haven't even so much as opened a window. Besides, you have cameras outside.

Luke: I don't like it.

Paisley: You can't watch us all the time. I promise I'll let you know if anything happens.

Luke: I'll be home in a little bit. Don't answer the door for anyone, even a delivery person.

Paisley: Got it.

Luke: I'll let you know when I leave. Check in with me, okay?

Paisley: Of course.

It had been three days since they had been together for the first time in over a year and she didn't regret a moment of it. Luke had been loving and attentive to both her and Garrett since he'd come back into their lives.

Feeling cared for and protected was new for her, but she wasn't going to let it go. Not over some threatening email or anything else. Or so she convinced herself.

Fear was strange. She was both worried and comforted. She knew in her heart, without a shadow of a doubt, that Luke would do everything he could to protect her, but she also knew that not everything was in their control.

Strange how less than a year ago, she had cursed this man, and now she was back under his spell. And what a spell it was because nothing else made sense about how easily she had let him back into her heart. Or maybe she had never really pushed him out like she thought she had.

A lot had happened while she was pregnant with Garrett, but maybe she had already forgiven him long before he came back. She knew he had initially gotten with her to keep her away from Cade. It was a wholly unnecessary move because she wasn't interested in him. Then, cutting toxic people out of her life had been hard but for the best.

She was tired. Maybe that explained the ease with which she took him back. Her life was in shambles, and Luke offered her a way out. She didn't need to sleep with him for that, he'd made that clear, but she wanted him.

Everything was all jumbled in her head and the more she tried to sort it out, the more confused she grew. She sighed and slid down the wall in the kitchen and stared blankly in front of her, lost in her thoughts.

Garrett was sleeping and she had things she needed to do, but her worries were paralyzing. How long would it take Luke to tire of her? Right now, she was what he wanted, a rebellion and also a family. But when everything with his father was over, would she still be?

One day, it would be over, too. His father would only be able to disrupt their lives for so long before it didn't work or he died, and then what? When would Luke realize all he'd given up for her and Garrett? All his partying and womanizing days? Would he miss them? Would he pursue them again?

Far in the distance, she heard the alarm chime and the front door open. She heard Luke call her name but she couldn't respond. She was gasping by this point, the panic taking her under.

"Paisley?" Luke's voice was closer now.

She registered his hands on her, picking her up off the floor and taking her to the living room. The darkness was closing in on the edges of her vision as the grip of the panic and the swirling questions continued to loom heavy around her.

"Paisley, baby, I need you to look at me," Luke's pleaded.

She blinked twice and tried to focus on him.

"That's it. Focus, baby. You can do this," Luke urged her on.

She found his eyes with hers and gasped in a deep breath.

"There you go. Just stay with me. Everything is going to be okay." His voice was a balm to the storm raging inside her mind. "Deep breaths, baby."

She did as he said and calmed her breathing with effort. The gasping eased and it slowly returned to normal. The darkness was fading away, leaving Luke's face the only thing she could see.

"That's better," he said after a moment.

Paisley released the eye contact and leaned back. She hadn't had a panic attack in years and that one had come out of nowhere.

Closing her eyes, she wiped her palms on her shirt, the sweat that had appeared now a cold, clammy reminder of her attack.

"Sorry," she said, sitting up.

"Don't be. I'm sorry that happened. Are you okay?" Nothing but concern rang in his voice.

Paisley nodded. "That hasn't happened in a very long time. I think it's done now."

"What's a long time?" Luke asked.

"Years," she admitted.

"This is because of him." Luke's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists. "I need you to know I won't let anything happen to either of you. None of us will."

"I do," she told him. "I know that. It was just a lot to process at once. I'm fine now." She stood up.

"Paisley, sit down. Take a breath. You don't have anything to do that can't wait." He took her hand, pulling her back down to the sofa. "Give yourself a minute to recover."

"I need to finish the dishes," she complained. "I'm fine now."

"No, you need to process."

"I think I know myself better than you," she pushed back.

He sighed and pulled his hand away. "I was thinking of something on the way home today. Can we take a minute to talk about that before you get up?"

Curiosity stole her feet, keeping her there. "Okay?"

"I know my father and he will do his best to make good on his threats. They aren't empty and he will try until he's successful. I don't think he ever will be, but I have another idea to make sure that Garrett is safe."

She noted that the plan wasn't to secure her. "Whatever it takes to save Garrett from this mess."

"I think we should get married."