27. Piper

27

PIPER

I 'm still shaking as I climb into the back of Elio's town car, my mind reeling from the argument we just had. I know Elio is furious that I won't let him handle Gabriel his way, but the thought of being responsible for a man's death, even a man as vile as my husband, makes my stomach turn. Why must Gabriel be like this?

As the driver pulls away from the house, I find myself questioning whether I'm being too stubborn. Elio has a point—Gabriel is a threat, not just to me but to Elysse. Can I really put my own moral code above Elysse's safety? The very thought makes me feel like a terrible mother.

I lean my head back against the leather seat, closing my eyes as I try to sort through the tangled web of my thoughts. I've endured so much violence already. It doesn't feel like it should be the answer. But what if, in this case, it's the only way to protect the people I love?

Elio's words echo in my mind, his insistence that we need to prioritize Elysse above all else. As much as I hate to admit it, I know he's right. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my little girl, no line I wouldn't cross to keep her safe. So why am I resisting now? Is it just not wanting to condone murder? To be complicit in it? Or maybe it's because this isn't a side of Elio I've seen before. In high school, I never knew of his involvement, if any, in his family's activities. Until the day he saved me from Gabriel's grip, I hadn't ever seen Elio be anything but charming. Am I afraid to know the other parts of him?

I don't know what the right answer is. All I know is that I can't bear the thought of losing Elysse, of Gabriel getting his hands on her. And if it comes down to a choice between my moral high ground and my daughter's well-being… well, that's not really a choice at all. Elysse's safety trumps everything.

"Should I just pull into the pickup line?" Danny says, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"Yes." I look out the window for Elysse. She's usually with a group of friends playing patty-cake games.

Danny pulls up to the curb and I open the door.

"Mrs. Collins," the pick-up duty teacher says, looking at me in confusion.

I shudder at the name, hoping to be rid of it soon. "Where's Elysse?"

"Elysse's father already picked her up about fifteen minutes ago."

For a moment, I'm struck with a wave of relief. Elio must have changed his mind about the meeting and decided to get Elysse, wanting to keep her close after the troubling developments with Gabriel.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I say to the teacher, shaking my head. "There must have been a miscommunication. Her father and I are… well, it's a bit complicated at the moment."

"It has been awhile since he's picked her up."

I start to get into the car when her words strike something inside me. "Wait… who picked her up?"

The teacher's brow furrows even deeper at my words. "Mr. Collins. He said you were feeling under the weather and asked him to get her."

The blood drains from my face. My heart stops. It wasn't Elio who picked up Elysse… it was Gabriel.

Panic rises, threatening to choke me. How could I have been so stupid? I should have known Gabriel would try something like this. God, why didn't I say something to the school?

I grab the teacher's arm, my fingers digging into her skin as terror consumes me. "Are you sure it was him? Did he say anything else? Did Elysse seem okay?"

The teacher looks startled by my intensity, but she nods. "Yes, I'm certain it was Mr. Collins. He was very charming, as usual. Elysse… well…" Her face scrunches up as if she's thinking. "She did seem wary, but then he told her you were home and wanted to see her."

I can barely process her words, my mind spinning with horrifying possibilities. What if Gabriel hurts Elysse? What if he takes her somewhere I can't find her? What if I never see my little girl again?

I whirl around, racing back to the car as I call out to Danny. "We need to go to my house." I rattle off the address. "Right now. Hurry."

Danny tenses. "Is something wrong?"

"Hurry!"

He puts the car in gear and peels away from the curb. I dig my phone out of my purse, my hands shaking so badly I can barely dial Gabriel's number.

The phone rings and rings, each unanswered tone ratcheting up my terror. By the time Gabriel's voice comes on the line, I'm nearly hysterical.

"Gabriel, please," I beg, my words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "Please tell me Elysse is safe."

I'm met with a cold, mocking laugh. " You sound upset, Piper. Is something the matter? "

I clench my jaw, fighting back the urge to scream at him. I know I need to stay calm, to try to reason with him, but it's so hard when all I can think about is my little girl in his clutches. I can't deny that if Elio were here now, I'd give my consent to end this once and for all.

"Gabriel, please," I say again, my voice breaking. "Just tell me where Elysse is. I'll do anything you want, just don't hurt her."

There's a long pause on the other end of the line. " Anything, Piper? "

I swallow hard. "Yes. Anything. Just please, Gabriel, let me talk to Elysse. Let me know she's okay."

Another pause, longer this time. I can hear him breathing on the other end of the line. " I'll tell you what ," he says finally. " I'll let you talk to Elysse. I'll even let you see her. But only if you come home, alone. No Elio, no police, no one but you ."

My stomach twists at his words. I know what he's doing. It's exactly what he said he would. I just didn't think he would act so quickly. I shouldn't fall for it, but what choice do I have? I can't risk Elysse's safety, no matter what it means for me.

"Okay," I whisper, closing my eyes as defeat washes over me. "I'll come home, Gabriel. Just please, don't hurt Elysse."

" I knew you'd see reason, Piper. And don't worry about Elysse. As long as you do exactly as I say, she'll be just fine. You know I've never hurt her. And I never will, as long as you behave. If you try anything… well, I can't make any promises about what might happen. "

The line goes dead, and I'm left staring at my phone, my heart pounding in my ears. With shaking hands, I dial Elio's number, praying that he'll pick up.

" Piper? " His voice is warm, even apologetic. " Listen, how about you and Elysse ?—"

"Gabriel has Elysse. He picked her up from school, and he says I have to come home alone or he'll hurt her."

There's a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. " Tell me you're not going home ."

Danny turns onto Gabriel's street.

"I have to?—"

" Piper, listen to me. You can't go there alone. It's too dangerous. I'm on my way ."

I close my eyes, tears streaming down my cheeks as I clutch the phone like a lifeline. "I don't have a choice, Elio. He has our daughter. I have to go. I have to make sure she's safe. Even if it means…" I trail off, unable to finish the thought.

" Piper, no ." He swears and sucks in a breath. " Is Danny with you? "

"He's driving, but Gabriel says I can't bring anyone?—"

" Stay with Danny. I'm coming. Fucking hell, Piper… just this once… please… don't walk in there alone ."

The desperation in his voice breaks my heart. I wish I could comply. I wish I could ease the terror he's feeling. But my mind is made up. I have to go to Gabriel. I have to do whatever it takes to protect Elysse. She's the one pure and good thing in my life, and I won't let anyone hurt her. Not even if it means sacrificing everything else.

"I'm sorry, Elio," I whisper, my heart breaking with each word. "I have to do this. I have to keep her safe, no matter what it costs me."

" Dammit, Piper ."

"It's what you'd do. You told me so. You're right. I'd give anything… everything for her."

" Baby… please… just wait ."

Danny pulls the car into the drive.

"Elio, I love you." I realize I haven't said the words to him since I was eighteen years old.

Elio curses. " I'm on my way, okay? I'm coming to help you. We'll get Elysse back, I promise. I won't let that bastard hurt either of you ."

I close my eyes, my heart clenching at the desperation in his voice. "We're here. I love you." I end the call. There's no time to waste.

Danny goes to get out of the car.

"Wait here. Don't let him see you?—"

"The boss wouldn't like that," Danny says.

"You'll only make it worse. He'll hurt Elysse if he sees you."

Danny doesn't like it, but he nods in understanding.

I steel myself for what lies ahead. The punches. The kicking. Maybe he'll kill me. I hope I can get Elysse out before any of that happens. As I step up to the door, I pull together my resolve and I take solace in knowing Elio will save Elysse and raise her in a loving home.