40. Evangeline

Theo's rejection of my offer last night felt like a slap in the face of everything I'd done for them. I'd silently endured their humiliating torture, I'd forgiven them for their misdeeds, I'd welcomed them into my bed, and I'm in the process of carrying their baby. Surely, that means that they can trust me to take care of myself?

As I slip the discreet wire beneath the top of my dress, a surge of determination courses through me, drowning out the lingering doubts that tug at the edges of my mind. I've decided to ignore them and take matters into my own hands.

The decision weighs heavily on my heart, but I know it"s the only way forward. The brothers may have rejected my plan, but I refuse to stand idly by while Declan continues to wreak havoc on our lives. I'm tired of being the damsel in distress. Now, I want to be the one leading the charge.

With each careful movement, I steel myself for the task ahead. I"ll confront Declan head-on, armed with nothing but my wits and the recording device hidden beneath my clothes. It"s a risky gambit, one that could easily backfire, but I can"t let fear hold me back any longer.

As I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, I can"t help but feel a twinge of guilt at keeping my intentions hidden from them. They"ve already been through so much, and the last thing I want is to put them in even more danger. But if there"s one thing I"ve learned, it"s that sometimes, you have to do whatever it takes.

Taking a steadying breath, I straighten my shoulders and square my jaw, steeling myself for the challenges that lie ahead. Today, I"ll step into the lion"s den, prepared to face whatever dangers may come my way. And with luck on my side, perhaps I"ll emerge victorious, one step closer to bringing down the man who threatens everything we hold dear.

I leave, pretending nothing is wrong, and give Ryder and Oliver a kiss each as I head out the door. They think I'm going into town to buy some stuff for the baby. Theo left early this morning, claiming he was going to find a way to enact the plan without me.

A knot of nerves tightens in the pit of my stomach as I navigate busy city streets. As I get closer, the familiar sights and sounds of the urban landscape blur into a haze as my thoughts whirl with apprehension. What if Declan sees through my fa?ade? What if my plan unravels before it even begins? Doubt gnaws at the edges of my resolve, threatening to undermine my determination.

As I reach the towering edifice that houses Declan"s office, a surge of adrenaline courses through my veins, drowning out the cacophony of doubt that echoes in my mind. With a final, steadying breath, I push open the doors and step into the unknown, ready to confront whatever lies ahead.

"I need to talk to Mr. O'Malley," I say to his secretary, pretending to look distraught. "It's urgent, please." I put my hand on my belly for emphasis, noticing the way she sizes me up and down.

"One moment," she says, knocking on the door of the lion's den. She enters and emerges a few moments later.

"You can have five minutes," she says. "Go ahead."

Nodding to her, I slip inside, tension in my body as I face off against the beast himself.

"Ramona said you wanted to see me?" Declan asks, raising an eyebrow. His weather-lined face holds none of the charm that the portraits and photos of Marcus at the manor have. He's like a pale mask of the Everhart "uncle".

I try to remind myself of this as I make myself comfortable in the chair across from him, trying to look as meek and unassuming as possible.

"I… I don't know how to talk to anyone else about this," I begin, stammering out my words to make it seem as though I'm truly upset. "I'm scared. Ever since I was kidnapped, I've had nightmares. I feel suffocated in that house, but your nephews won't let me leave. They want to force me to stay there, to be kept under lock and key."

Declan listens, hands steepled together on his desk. "What is it you want, Miss Parker?"

"I want out," I say, lowering my voice to a whisper and looking down at my lap. "I know you're the man in charge, and I want to get out and get away from the Everharts, from the family business, from everything."

I know that Declan would never let me go at this point. I know far too much, and I'm too big a risk for him, especially with the baby. I'm banking on his at least giving me hints of his plans, though, maybe saying something that will help the Everharts in their mission.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry you don't feel safe, but you know it's not up to me," he says, offering me a small smile. "You belong to my nephews now. They've made that very clear," he adds, a brief look of distaste flickering across his features before it's gone. "If I helped you disappear, I'd risk them coming after me."

"Please, sir," I say, a wobble in my voice. "I can't live like this. I'm scared every day. I worry about what will happen to me, especially since those DeLuccis are still out there. I don't know if they're going to attack me again, and I live in constant fear!"

"Don't worry about the DeLuccis," Declan says, his voice buttery smooth. "They aren't going to hurt you. I'm powerful enough to keep them at bay, sweetheart."

I nod, trying to think of a way to draw more information out of him. "Are you going to take them down?" I ask. "Because that would make me feel safer."

"I'm dealing with them," Declan reassures me.

"But I need to know what's happening so I can feel safe," I insist.

"That's not your concern," he says, his voice growing sharp. I shrink back, reminded suddenly of who this man is and what he's capable of.

"I just want to know if I can help," I offer. "If I'm going to be part of this, I need to know what I'm up against."

"I think we"re done here," he says, his voice colder now, tinged with suspicion. He approaches me, and I step back. His eyes are like steel.

A cold knot of dread forms inside me, realizing with chilling clarity that Declan suspects something is up. But I can't let him get to me. I can't let him figure out what's going on.

"Did the Everharts send you?" he demands.

"No," I stammer out. "No, I came because I was scared and thought you could help protect me. That's what you do, right, you protect people?"

Declan's features settle into a small scowl. "I protect those who have the interests of the Family at heart," he says, his voice soft but with a dangerous edge. "I'm not sure you have the best interests of our Family at heart, Miss Parker."

"I only want what's best for my baby," I tell him, clasping my hands together. "If I can help make things safer for her, I'll sleep better at night."

"Then you should rest well knowing that I'm in charge here and you have nothing to worry about," Declan counters.

I turn, anxiety rising. Why did I think I could go toe to toe with a hardened criminal like Declan? I'm no match for him.

"I just want out," I tell him, trying one last ploy. "I'll never bother anyone here again, not you and not the Everharts. Unless there's something I should know, I don't feel safe here anymore."

Declan steps forward again, making me feel like a mouse caught in a trap with a cat looming overhead. "You know what I think? I think you're asking too many questions…"

His hand slips into my blouse, and panic begins to engulf me as he grasps the edge of the wire and yanks it off me.

"Thought you could get away with this, you stupid little bitch?" he screams, throwing it to the floor where it cracks. He stomps on the small device, shattering it further. "You made a grave mistake."

He grabs me, shaking my shoulders. "Did the fucking Everharts send you? And if you lie to me, I'll kill you!"

"No!" I yell. "No one sent me. They had nothing to do with this!"

"Then I want you to listen carefully," he says, leaning in close. "I will cut that baby out of your belly in front of you right now unless you fucking disappear and tell no one where you're going. You've become too much of a liability, and I'm done."

His eyes bore into mine, his hot breath on my cheek. I feel nauseous. Raw, unadulterated fear snakes through me, gripping me tightly in its hold.

"Okay," I whisper, my eyes filled with tears. "I'll leave."

"Don't you dare breathe a word to those boys if you want that little demon spawn to live," he adds. My body feels frozen to the spot, but I force myself to move, fleeing his office and taking off straight back to Shadowvale.

I failed. I've utterly failed the Everharts. I can't protect them anymore. Not after Declan made direct threats to my baby. I can't let him hurt my baby. Even if I have to run, I'll do whatever it takes to protect her from harm.

Even if that means leaving the Everharts without a word.