Chapter 67
1002words
'My mom is dead, Emma.'
There was silence, as if the world had stopped everything.
'Oh my, baby, I'm so sorry to hear that,' she said and comforted me. 'How did she die?'
'She was shot in her stomach and left out in the woods.'
'Do you think that Sharon did that to her?'
'Sharon doesn't have a —'
I rushed to my office and opened my safe. My revolver was missing.
She must have taken it when we left her to pack up her things that day.
'Fuck!' I slammed my fists onto my desk.
'Baby,' Emma said from behind me, 'calm down.'
I didn't wanted to tell her about the missing gun. I knew it would frighten her. I breathed in and out, calming myself. She placed a kiss on my cheek.
'I need you to get packed,' I told her softly.
'Where are we going?'
'I have to go to Italy to identify the body. Nana can't do that and I can't get a hold of my father. I'll have to do it, but I'm not leaving you behind like the last time. You're coming with me. I'll also bring along three bodyguards so you'll feel safe. I'll call Hexx.'
'When are we leaving?'
'Tonight. We'll return in a few days. I don't want us gone for too long so pack light.'
'Okay.'
She left and I called Hexx to have the private jet ready for Italy within the next two hours. Anton, Luis and Brad would be accompanying us. I wasn't taking any chances.
______________
We arrived in Italy at night fall. Emma was already exhausted, jet lagged and puzzled by the time difference when we checked into a hotel. She went to bed immediately. I left Anton and Brad to guard her door while I went to the police station with Luis.
'You know, boss, I think we're missing a step here.'
'What do you mean Luis?'
'I think there's a leak in the midst of this escapade. I just have a gut feeling that someone is dirty.'
'Hmm. You could be right, or it's all just coincidence.'
'You once told me that you don't believe in coincidences, sir.'
'Come on, this is my mom we're talking about. She had access to my mansion because she was my mother, and she preferred Sharon over Emma. Of course she would use her power to get Emma out of my life.'
'I hope you're right about that.'
I wanted to be right but something wasn't adding up for me either and I had a feeling in the pit of stomach too. I knew of all my outside enemies, but I didn't know who was my inside enemy.
________________
Sharon's POV
The phone rang.
'Hello.'
'They found her, and he left with his little wife-to-be to identify the body.'
'We knew this would happen eventually.'
'So, what now?'
'Stick with the plan and keep me posted.'
'Okay.'
'Bye.'
Emma's POV
I woke up to the chipping sound of birds and a blinding ray of sunlight on my eyelids. I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom where I freshened up and dressed in something more comfortable. I was dreadfully hungry and Ethan was nowhere in sight.
He must have gotten up earlier and went to the morgue.
I took my purse and headed to the restaurant for a bite, Anton and Brad following close behind. They were dressed in strictly black and wore black stylish eye glasses. They, basically, resembled the main characters in the movie Men in Black.
As we walked, we got attention from many on-lookers. Some taking pictures while others were pointing, and others saying hello to us. I couldn't engage in conversation with anyone; they spoke Italian and I just couldn't understand.
Nevertheless, I ate peacefully— fish sticks and pancakes. Ethan had told me I should start eating healthier so I added a side of mixed vegetables.
After two hours, he came back with Luis.
'It is her,' he said, and sat down looking very flushed, exhausted and pale.
I almost didn't recognize him. The news about his mother's death had taken a total on him. She was mean but she was his mother. I hated her for what she did to me without even trying to get to know me. I loved her son and wouldn't do anything to hurt him, but she lashed out on me with Sharon's help. She had dragged me out of the mansion by my hair, stuck me in the back of a pickup truck, and instructed the driver to leave me for dead at a swamp in another state. How do you forgive someone for that?
I don't really know what it took, but I did forgive her. I wished she was more kind and understanding towards me. I wanted her to be apart of the twins' lives, to teach them things that Ethan and I couldn't, take them to different places all over the world, and spoil them—what grandmothers do. I really wanted that. And if she were alive I would have dropped all the charges against her and accepted her into my life and the lives of my children because I believed in second chances. I believed people could make a change for the better, and I believed there's a piece of good in everyone. Even the devil was once an angel, right?
'I'm so sorry,' I told him as I rubbed his back to comfort and support him.
'I can't stay here any longer. I'll call Hexx. Emma, get ready. Guys, get ready.'
He headed inside to the hotel room and I followed suit, running a bit to keep up with him.
I packed without hesitation and sat on the bed, waiting to leave.
'Baby, I am sorry if I was harsh to you, and for hurrying us out of here. I can't stand being here knowing this is Sharon's country and she killed my mother here. I can't take this.'
