“I don’t know what to do, Clove,” she wails, pulling herself away from me but gripping onto my shoulders as if I am her lifeline. “I wasn’t thinking clearly when I came to your house the other day. All I could think about was seeing my son. This is such a dreadful and unforgivable thing for me to say, but I just can’t think of that man who is pretending to be Turner as my son . . . not in the way the real Turner is. Even so, dear God, I’m still his mother! I will never be able to forgive myself for thinking that way.”

I can only stand there staring at the pain and regret in her bloodshot eyes.

“I- I don’t know what to say to that, Melody.”

“There is nothing to say. Now listen to me,” she says, her attitude suddenly changing. “I have no idea where James is. I do know he is a very dangerous man and if he raised Trent to be anything like himself, then he is just as dangerous. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to you. You need to leave that house, now.”

Her grip on my upper arms becomes a little firmer.

“I know,” I say meekly. “I talked to Zack on the way over here. I am going to stop by the house and grab a few things, then go to his house.” Suddenly, I become aware that once Trent finds out I am gone, there is no telling what he will do. “You know what? You shouldn’t be staying here by yourself, either. You’re coming with me.”

“Oh, no. I couldn’t possibly co-”

“Bullshit. Go pack a bag, right now.”

“You can hold baby Nolan,” I tease, and try to smile. She seems to be thinking for a moment as her eyes dart all over the room.

“You’re right,” she sighs. “If you’re sure they won’t mind, then yes, I believe it’s wise for me to stay there, too. I just have to get a few things in order.”

I shoo her with my hand.

“You’re family and Zack would kick my ass knowing I left you here once I tell him everything. Speaking of which, I should call him right now.”

She removes her hand and I spin around and grab my purse and retrieve my phone.

“Clove?”

“Yeah?”

I love you so much, young lady.”

And I know she does. I will always feel guilty for ever doubting her love for me or for Turner.

Chapter Fifteen

Zack and Krista are more than thrilled to have Melody stay with them as well. I knew they would be. What better place for us to stay than with a cop?

If I had even a piece of my heart left to break, hearing Melody tell me how she went most her life thinking one of her children was dead would do it. Time does not heal all wounds when it comes to the death of a child. God, the hell she must have gone through every single birthday and holiday and first day of school, and graduation. It’s a feeling I cannot even begin to comprehend.

Numbness sits in the pit of my stomach as I drive back to my house to gather my things. Martinez took Melody over to Zack’s house and I promised him I would call him the minute I got home and the minute I left my house.

I just don’t understand how James could be so cold and calculating toward a child he helped create, and I probably never will. Over money? Money can be such a dirty word. It makes people do things they normally wouldn’t do, like turn family members into victims. Is James going to make Trent a victim, too, or is Trent already just as ruthless as his father?

My phone rings and I see it’s Zack, so I answer right away.

              “What the hell do you think you are doing?” he screams in my ear.

              “What are you talking about?” I scream back, frustrated.

              “Jesus Christ, Clove! You didn’t tell me you were going back to your house on your own. What the hell are you thinking? I told you! Fuck! Just get your shit and get the hell out of there.”

              “Zack, did something happen within the last half hour? You’re scaring the shit out of me.”

He lets out a long breath.

              “Nothing has happened. I just . . . damn it. We found out that James spent four years in fucking prison for stabbing someone down in Tennessee.”

              “What the hell? And you’re just telling me this now?”

              “The information only came over a little while ago. The guy is a fucking loose cannon. And hell, from what you told me on the phone about him, I don’t want you going anywhere by yourself. I think it’s time we tell Dad about this, too.”

The thought of telling my dad is enough to shatter that last chunk of my heart. He’ll be worried sick, but now I know I cannot keep something like this from him any further.

              “Give him a call and have him come over after work. We can all sit down and talk this out.”

All I can see is the look on my dad’s face when he finds out what’s been going on. He always told me his love and support for the both us was unconditional. Ever since this nightmare started, all I have wanted was for him to give me one of his big, strong hugs and tell me everything is going to be all right.

              “Listen, get your shit and get the hell out of there. There should be an unmarked car with a couple cops parked across your street right now. And, Clove?”

              “Yeah?” I sigh as I turn into my drive and see the unmarked car across the street.

              “Love you, sis.”

              “Love you too, Zack. Tell Krista I will be over there in about a half hour.”

              “You’d better be, damn it.”

              “I will be. Now let me go so I can get there.”

              “I am walking out the station door as we speak and then I will tell you everything we know.”

              “Sounds good. See you in a bit.”

I hang up the phone and toss it on the seat so I can hit the garage door opener. Pulling my car inside, I wave to the two cops sitting in the car directly across the street. God, I hope we’re doing the right thing here.

As I enter my home I am startled at the scene I see in front of me. Someone has turned it upside down. Everything is scattered all over the floor. The drawers are all pulled out and thrown all over the floor- papers, silverware, everything. I am rooted to the spot and I am scared to even take one more step for fear whoever did this is still here.

Turning back around, I reach for the door handle to get the hell out of there when I am grabbed from behind and a hand is firmly clamped over my mouth.

“Hello, Clove.” The voice I desperately never wanted to hear again whispers in my ear.

Fear and panic set in and I struggle to get out of his hold as Trent grabs me securely around my waist. Between the hand covering my nose and mouth and the intense pressure he is applying to my stomach, it’s difficult for me to breathe. I kick and claw at his arms and legs, digging my nails into the flesh of the arm that is gagging me. He hisses in pain as I continue to tear at him ruthlessly.

              “Fucking bitch!” he shouts.

I can’t shake him. I feel lightheaded and my breathing gradually becomes shallower as he squeezes the life out of me. He’s going to kill me. I am going to die right here in my own home. I see my entire life fading away as my life flashes before my eyes.