Hollywood Ever After (31 page)

I laughed at the announcer, looking back over my shoulder at him sprawled amongst a pile of pillows with Will playing checkers. If they could only see him now.

Natalie shook her head. “I know that’s their job, making up stories, but it
is
kind of rude. I mean, you should be able to hang out with your friends without everyone thinking you and Mom broke up.”

Josh peered around the corner of the chair at Natalie, making her laugh aloud before he spoke sincerely. “You’re right, it is their job. You’ll know what’s true and what’s not. The rest you should ignore. According to some papers, I’m actually a woman.”

Natalie burst out laughing again. “Riiight.”

“No worrying over that,” he affirmed, smiling.

I watched him as he spoke to my daughter. It thrilled me to see how close they were already.

“Besides, he’s a good dad,” Will added.

Josh smiled broadly, clearly delighted by Will’s unintentional compliment. For Will, Josh being a dad was a fact. Josh grabbed Will in a hug, the two of them falling back onto the pallet of pillows they’d set up on the floor. They laughed, then went back to their game.

My heart felt a little heavier and I looked at the clock. No more unknowns. I wanted to get on with the rest of my life.

***

It was hot. But then Texas usually was.

Our flight had been uneventful. Will and Natalie were all ears as Josh told them all about the sights of Hollywood.

“You’re going to become world travelers in no time,” I said.

“I’m not complaining.” Natalie nudged me. “I think I could get used to it.”

Will shrugged. “I want to go back to England. There aren’t any dragons here.”

Josh ruffled Will’s hair. “Seeing that dragon was special. I’ve lived there my whole life but seeing it with you was only the second time I’d found one.”

Will thought about this then said, “I guess the dragon likes you.”

Josh had laughed. “Possibly.”

When we landed, I said quick goodbyes and left them to make their connecting flight to LA. I didn’t want to linger. The sooner I met with Regina, the sooner I’d have a course of action.

My car was still in long-term parking and I was on the road home in no time. It took almost an hour before I pulled into the driveway and turned off the ignition. I had about twenty minutes to find the papers Regina wanted and make it to her office.

I unlocked the door and flipped on the light, heading through the kitchen to the office. But something moved, catching my attention.

Daniel.

I stared at Daniel, the shock overwhelming the fear.
How is he here?
He was supposed to be in India. Or England. Not here, in the kitchen.

He sat at the kitchen counter, the newspaper spread out before him as if it were any normal day. “Home?”

I stared at him, unsure of what to do or say. My palms were clammy as I leaned heavily against the countertop in an effort to brace myself. I had to keep my cool. And I needed to get out of there.

He looked at me, his eyes shuttered and cold. “Just you?”

I felt my hands trembling a little, but ignored them. “Yes.” Thank God the kids were safely at the airport, waiting with Josh and Mom to board their flight to Los Angeles.

His eyes didn’t waver. “Where are the kids?”

“With Mom.” I stood a little straighter. Acting frightened wouldn’t help things. “I’m actually running late for a meeting…”

Daniel stood and I glanced around, stalling. I couldn’t get to the door; he was blocking my path. I had to buy some time, shift things so that I stood a chance of getting out of there without him getting ahold of me.

I opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water slowly. I took a deep breath as I closed the door, knowing he would be standing there when it shut. He was. I tried not to meet his eyes, tried to keep some sort of distance between us. I had to appear impartial, unafraid of him, no matter how I was feeling on the inside.

He moved a little closer. “What meeting?”

I took a few steps back, making sure I wasn’t backing myself into a corner. I paused, opened my bottle of water and took a long sip. “I’m getting published.” I sounded calm, thank God. I didn’t think he could hear the telltale banging of my heart. “I’m going over the contract.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re getting
published?
” He shook his head then sighed. “One of your romances?”

I shrugged in a way I hoped was noncommittal.

His eyebrows rose suddenly. “That’s pretty big, huh? Congratulations!” He smiled, but didn’t make any move to hug me or touch me. He just stared, making me more nervous. “I didn’t think you had it in you. It’s nice to be proven wrong.”

I held myself rigid, only half listening to his words. “Thanks.”

“Claire.” He cocked his head, taking a deep breath. “I’m glad you’re here. Let’s talk.” He pulled one of the kitchen chairs out for me.

I stared at the chair. He was being reasonable, for the moment. I had to try. “Give me a minute, please. I have to find the paperwork.” I went into the study before he could stop me. I tried to find my phone, rifling quickly through my large purse with mounting frustration.

He was walking to the study door. “I think I’ve managed to get everything out of the house. I saw the sign in the yard. You’re right. We should sell, so we can start over someplace neutral.”

Where is my phone?

My heart was pounding, making my ears ring. I sat at my desk, flipping through the papers in the drawer until I found the manila envelope Regina needed. I slid it into my purse and wiped my palms on my thighs. I stood, staring at the mirror on the wall. Photos of the kids were stuck around the edge, reminding me that they weren’t here.

They were safe. But I wasn’t.

I fumbled through the purse again, barely keeping the panic at bay. No phone. And the only house phone was in the kitchen.

I took a steadying breath and went back into the kitchen. I moved quickly, making my way to the door without hesitating.

But his hand caught my wrist. His bright blue eyes flitted over my face. “We’re going to talk.”

I tried to twist my wrist from his hold as I spoke. “I’ve got to go. Regina’s expecting me.”

He shook his head. “She can wait. This is important. I realized something while I was cleaning my stuff out. Everything’s not in one place. You’re here, the kids are God knows where, and I’m in an apartment, alone.” His tone didn’t fluctuate as he spoke but he turned away suddenly, letting go of me.

I tried to sidestep closer to the door, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path. I froze.

His face twisted and his eyes filled with tears. His suffering was real as he started crying, really crying. His shoulders were shaking, one hand coming up to cover his face. “I can’t stand this. I’m so tired of feeling like I’m missing an arm or a leg. How do you keep going? When will this feeling go away?”

“Daniel.” What could I say? I hurt for him, felt sorry for him. Maybe the abuse wasn’t a choice. Maybe he did have some legitimate emotional problems that caused his temper. I would probably never know.

“Why can’t you see that? Why can’t you listen to me, see what we need to do? You keep pushing and pushing.” He shoved away from the counter, coming to stand inches from me.

I could see the pulse in his throat, the light perspiration on his forehead. Tension rolled off him, tightening as his muscles grew taut, tensing. I knew I had to put some space between us quickly.

“Claire, you’re not giving me a choice.” Tears started welling in his eyes and he took a deep breath. “Don’t you see? You have the power to make it better.” He paused, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder hesitantly. His eyes followed his hand, staring at his hand…on me.

I didn’t wince at his touch; I was proud of that. “How?” My voice trembled.

His pupils contracted and his breath grew harsh. “Come home, now. Get my kids, be my wife, let us try again. This isn’t anyone else’s business. I can forgive you for
him
because I love you.” His voice was husky as he spoke, his bright blue eyes pained as they caught mine. His hand tightened on my shoulder and something flickered in his eyes. “We need to find our way back to each other, Claire. One man, one woman, and our children.”

Panic filled me. He was close to the breaking point. I didn’t have much time to defuse the situation, if I could. I felt myself giving in, felt the fear winning.

No
,
I’m not going to give up. Not this time.

I spoke softly. I tried to sound placating. “We need to find a counselor, someone who can help us through our problems. Maybe that could help.”

He shook his head as I finished. His eyes, his familiar blue eyes, hardened and I felt myself start to shake. I knew that look and I dreaded what was to come.

“This is between you and me. We’re going to fix this mess, one way or another. Right now.” His hand cupped my neck as he smiled at me. “But you won’t come home, will you, Claire?”

I should say yes, I should give him what he wanted. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t live with any more lies. “I can’t.”

His mouth twitched, twisting into a hard line. I felt myself recoil. His hand tightened about my neck, bracing me as his other arm shot out. His fist hit me across the cheek and blinding pain ripped across my face. My head snapped back, hitting the cabinet door behind me with a resounding thud. My neck, my head seemed to be floating and stars covered my line of sight. The second punch wasn’t as bad; there wasn’t time to recover from the first one.

Everything went black as the pain crowded in on me, pressing me down. My hands flailed, whether to ward him off or steady myself, I wasn’t sure. There was nothing to hold on to so I slipped to the floor.

I tried to push myself up, but I couldn’t get my bearings. My ears rang and my eyes couldn’t focus. I pulled in a breath right as he kicked, hard. The impact knocked me back. I fell on my right arm, pressing it into an awkward angle. It popped, shooting hot flames of pain from my wrist to my elbow. I cried out as I fell back to the floor.

I needed help.

I didn’t know if I could get away. I tried to scream. But the sound that tore from my throat was choked, rasping, and brittle. His foot connected again, emptying my lungs completely. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move.

Pain, sharp and jagged, radiated from my arm, my face, and my chest, overwhelming me.
Please stop, Daniel.
But the words didn’t come out. My mouth couldn’t form words.

I’d been hit before, many times. But this was different. I knew he wasn’t going to let it go this time. Fear for my life washed over me.

I could try to reason with him, but my lungs were still empty and words wouldn’t come. Instead, I groaned pathetically and I felt frustrated tears choking me.

“Shut up, Claire!” he yelled.

I heard an odd clicking sound and looked up at him. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. Something warm and wet obscured my vision further, but I narrowed my eyes and willed myself to focus.

Daniel stood trembling, his face twisted as he sobbed. But I didn’t care about that. My eyes were riveted on Fred, Mom’s nine-millimeter. In his shaking hands. Pointed at me.

“I knew you wouldn’t listen.” His voice rose. “I can’t keep pretending that things will get better. They won’t. Because of
you.
You’re not going to give us a chance.” He looked at me, his face a mix of sadness and hatred.

Fear and pain pressed in on me. “Please, Daniel—”

“Stop. Stop it. Stop arguing, Claire.” He spoke each word sharply, enunciating.

“Please…” My voice was a whisper, thin and wavering.

“Shut up! Just stop.” His face was red, growing taut with a flash of rage.

I heard the shot, felt a sharp heat in my side. Initially it felt like he’d hit me again, with a hot knife. I hadn’t thought there could be more pain, but I was wrong. It seared through me, leaving me gasping and holding my side as the agony clouded my vision.

I could hear him. He was crying harder. He fell to his knees before me. “Why won’t you listen?” His voice broke. “Oh God, Claire.”

It was cold. The tile floor was like ice but it seemed to be getting warm…wet, slippery under my hands. I looked down. My shirt, the floor, covered in blood. My blood. I was dizzy. But I was still aware enough to feel terror.

He looked confused, his eyes wavering between me and the gun. He seemed very far away. My voice wavered. “Daniel, what about Nat and Will?”

“I’m here for them. Damn you! You’re the one who won’t think about anyone but yourself. Why, Claire?
Why?
”

There was a blow to my chest and the breath was knocked out of me again. Sounds began to fade, his crying, another bang and a shout. I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t care. But he needed to listen to me so I spoke with all of the breath I had left in my body. The words rasped out.

“Daniel. It doesn’t matter anymore. If you kill me or not, I’m still gone. You won’t hurt me anymore. And you will never see Will or Nat again.” I paused, catching my breath. “You’ll have to live with yourself. Whatever you do now, it’s a choice you’re making.”

Daniel said something, his voice hard and winded. But I couldn’t make it out.

There was another crash. Something was broken? Or thrown into something? I heard someone talking, someone who wasn’t Daniel. Someone else was in the room besides me and Daniel? Daniel was talking to someone. Yelling at them.

There was a scream then. But it wasn’t me. Another voice, a woman, was speaking. But I couldn’t understand any of it.

There was more noise, more talking, but it grew faint. I started to tremble from the cold. I knew I was going to die, and I didn’t resist the blackness that crept over me.

The sound of another gunshot made me wince, but there was no new pain.

I couldn’t see anything. My eyes wouldn’t open. Then it was dark…and silent.

***

I started awake with a shock, images flashing in my head.

I was vaguely aware of my surroundings. I was in an ambulance. I couldn’t breathe or talk. Something was in my throat.