Chapter 28 – River’s birthday part 1One month later…Anastasia KingPOVToday is River’s birthday, I have an appointment with my doctor today, I feel terrible. I’ve been feeling nauseous all morning. I’m not throwing up; I’ve just been lying in bed not wanting to move in fear of throwing up.I’ve got a doctor’s appointment today, I’m so excited, we’re finding out the genders of the babies today. Axel and I have decided to keep the genders a secret from our families because we didn’t want to tell anyone until the babies were born.Like a surprise… I have no energy to get out of bed. I’m completely drained. “Hey, my parents found a place not far from here, do you want to check it out later on our way home from the doctors?” Axel asks, walking into my room.I look up at him, not having the energy to do more than that. We’re currently living in Axel’s apartment. We didn’t have space for anything. It was a hot mess; the apartment was full of my boxes from my apartment we’ve yet to find a
Chapter 29 – River’s birthday party part 2Axel KingPOVA girl and a boy. I am going to be a father of two girls and one boy. One the way to my parents place we checked out the house my mom told me about, the house is three blocks away from them. I could visit my mom when I wanted to, the house is nice, but I do not know about the space. It is a three bedroom, if we have a three bedroom, one for me, one for River and one for Beaton. Then where will the twins sleep? I know my parents’ thing Beaton and I sleep in the same bedroom. but we do not… when they visit, we tell them, Beaton sleeps in a different room because she feels sick a lot and gets up throughout the night. Beaton has not said anything on the way to my apartment. I am currently waiting for her to get ready; I look around the room, the place will not last much longer. The place is beyond cramped. I cannot even move without knocking things over.“Can you help my zip up please?” I hear Beaton’s voice, I look up to see her st
Chapter 30 – Sadie is hurt.One week laterAxel KingPOVI’ve been feeling down lately, while not down, upset. Since seeing Beaton with that guy, these weird thoughts keep running through my mind. Like confronting her and asking her who the hell that guy is. Locking her in the house and never letting her leave. You know those kinds of thoughts.“Yo, Axel check this out.” Lucy calls from across the room. I look over and see her eyeing her computer screens.I walk over. “What’s up?” I asked her.“I found this guy. He dated five of the victims. He is pretty crafty; he deleted all the posts with him in it. I found him while checking their friends’ social media. How he deleted it from the victims’ pages is beyond me. They’ve got to have someone tech savvy amongst them…” Lucy goes on to talk but I’m eyeing the punk on the screen. He is with two of the victims.“Who is this punk?” I ask.“The names Hank Walters. He’s got no criminal history, the only link we have is that he knew five of the
Chapter 31 – Ana overhears Gracie on the phone…Anastasia KingPOVGracie and I have been hanging out at her apartment for about an hour now, we’ve talking about what we’ve got planned for the future. Gracie has plans to be an EMT now because she doesn’t like the station, she’s at. I one hundred percent support her in whatever she chooses to do. That’s what friends are for.We went shopping this morning. I got a couple of things for the twins now that I know the genders. I got a couple of pillows and blankets. What shocked me most was how happy Gracie seemed today. I think she’s got a boyfriend. She wouldn’t tell me, but I’m not going to push her into telling me, I’ll wait until she’s ready. She went crazy with shopping she got a couple of sexy lingerie and a bunch of low-cut dresses and went to get her hair done.It was a bit weird for me, because I couldn’t step into the salon without feeling the urge to throw up, so I waited in the car. Her hair looks really great. She bleached her
Chapter 32 – Axel can’t find Ana. Axel King POV We had to call it in… Anastasia is now a missing person’s case. Anastasia Beaton – King is missing without a trace. Because she’s a cop as well they’re having other stations help look for her. I know we’ll find her. We have to find her. Anastasia is pregnant. but she’s still a cop. She’s still a cop through and through. She can handle it herself. At the same time that’s what worries me most. I keep asking myself. Why did she ask to meet me? Everything that happened today worried me. Her phone was found on the side of the road. She’s just gone missing into thin air. There’s no trace of her. The team seems to think the rapist took her. It had to have been them, said Lucy. She said that they’d been following her for months. So, it had to have been them. I’m worried for Beaton, she’s at least six months pregnant. I know she could defend herself in normal circumstances but she’s pregnant. I’m worried she might get hurt protecting the b
Chapter 33 – The arrest. Gracie Almada POV What’s taking them so long? Why aren’t they here yet? Anastasia’s brothers and Axel just left my apartment. Glad I wasn’t dumb enough to actually bring her here. Gavin’s bright idea to bring her here was wrong. I knew Axel would come to me. Honestly, I didn’t think he loved Anastasia that much. The panicked look on his face told me he loved her a lot. Which worried me. He wasn’t going to give up until he found her. I clench my fists in anger. If she wasn’t a damn busy body. Listening in on my phone call. She thinks I didn’t notice her behind me when she tried to back away? I don’t know how much she heard, but the way she rushed out of here, I knew she knew I wanted to kill Sadie. She couldn’t live. I was going to wait until she gave birth to kill her, but I couldn’t wait any longer. If she told anybody I would be as good as dead. If it wasn’t for my fast thinking and asking Gavin to get her before she got to her dad’s place she would h
Chapter 34 – She escapes.Gracie AlmadaPOVMy burner ringing causes me to frown. Who would call me on this cell? I don’t have any numbers saved. I haven’t even given the number to anyone yet.I was planning to call Gavin later with it. that was the only reason I had it with me.I answer, but I couldn’t hear a word the other person was saying on the other line. Frustrated I nearly strangle Francis.So, I walked out of the cabin, I make my way further away.“What did you say?” when I finally have signal, I ask.“Gavin and the rest have been arrested. I cleared all contact between the two of you. You need to lay low for a couple of days. Make sure the girl doesn’t have anything on her that can be traced. We can’t let them find you. I’ll deal with Gavin…” She hangs up soon after.I frown and throw the phone against a tree. That stupid idiot! He got himself arrested! Why would he go on a job now when the police are all over?I knew he was useless. I wasn’t done using him yet and he got hi
Chapter 35 - Anastasia is found.Two hours earlier…Axel KingPOVI look at the asshole in front of me, giving me attitude. I wanted nothing more than to strangle him, even if he didn’t know where Beaton was, he deserved everything coming.I open his file. “So, Gavin Granger…” I pause looking at him. “You know you’re going away for a very long time… You’ll die in here, there’s no way you’ll see the outside of a jail sell for the rest of your sick life.” I tell him calmly.I promised how the police chief I wouldn’t kill the guy or blow this case. We’ve been working on getting these guys for months. I wanted nothing more than to nail them, knowing they know where Anastasia is, is the only reason I haven’t tried to kill him yet.“You want to know something funny?” he asks with a smirk on his face.I humor him. “What?” I sit back crossing my arms.“You’re going to regret this… I’ll be out of here in an hour tops.” He crosses his arms mimicking me.My smile widens. “God you’re stupid…” I t
Epilogue two - Meeting after ten yearsEighteen years laterRiver was currently driving to a shoot, and she switched on the radio of her car. She was running late because she’s always late. But she really tried to be on time this time. It’s been hard since moving to LA and being without her family.Her favourite song came on and it brought her back to when she met the guy she’s been in love with since she was a little girl. He was her cousin’s best friend. Joshua Riddle… Joshua moved away when I was fifteen, and that was ten years ago, I haven’t seen him since.{Song – Leave me in the dark by Alexander Stewart.}And she started thinking about the past…+++++++ fifteen years ago, +++++++"So, who do you like of all the girls in our class?" Barrett asks.I hide behind the door listening to them talk. I like Josh and I didn’t want him to like any of the other girls in our class."Leigh’s cute…" Andrew says.I roll my eyes all the guys liked Leigh because of her blonde hair and her blue e
Epilogue 5 years later Axel and Anastasia’s house "Mommy, Mommy. Daddy, Daddy wake up its my and Colby’s birthday" Halston shouts running into her parents’ room, waking her parents in the process. She jumps on their bed. Axel was less than pleased with this daughter. He was dead tired and butt naked under the sheets. "Halston, I’ve told you a hundred times. You’re not allowed in mommy and daddy’s room so early in the morning. I'm going to count to three if you’re still here when I count to three, we’re not going out today." Axel said in a stern tone, he rarely used on his girls, but he needed to teach Halston some boundaries. What if Ana and him were doing it when she came in? Ana smiled at Axel but didn’t say anything. she hugged her youngest daughter. "Hallz bellz happy birthday." She gives her a kiss. She gets out of bed and leads her daughter out of the room. She winks at Axel before making her way out of the room. All the King children slept over last night. The house was
Chapter 36 – I LOVE YOU.Anastasia KingPOVWhen I woke up, I knew I was in a hospital. When I tried to sit up, I couldn’t, what alarmed me was my flat stomach.“Beaton you’re away.” Axel says in surprise…I look up to see him rushing to me.“The babies?” I asked. Nearly chocked.He smiles. “They’re fine, they’ve been transferred to the hospital Damon works at. My mother and father went with to make sure they were fine.” he explains.I let out sigh of relief. Then I remember what got me into this mess in the first place. “Axel, It’s Gracie, you need to arrest her, she plans to kill Sadie, you need to protect Sadie.” I say hurriedly.His eyed darken. “Your best friend Gracie?” he asks in a low tone of voice.I nod. “I heard her over the phone asking if they were sure Sadie was dead. I’m sure it’s her.” I tell him.He nods but doesn’t say anything… It takes him a minute… “Now tell me what happened from the very beginning…” he tells me.I start to speak when he stops me. “Wait let me cal
Chapter 35 - Anastasia is found.Two hours earlier…Axel KingPOVI look at the asshole in front of me, giving me attitude. I wanted nothing more than to strangle him, even if he didn’t know where Beaton was, he deserved everything coming.I open his file. “So, Gavin Granger…” I pause looking at him. “You know you’re going away for a very long time… You’ll die in here, there’s no way you’ll see the outside of a jail sell for the rest of your sick life.” I tell him calmly.I promised how the police chief I wouldn’t kill the guy or blow this case. We’ve been working on getting these guys for months. I wanted nothing more than to nail them, knowing they know where Anastasia is, is the only reason I haven’t tried to kill him yet.“You want to know something funny?” he asks with a smirk on his face.I humor him. “What?” I sit back crossing my arms.“You’re going to regret this… I’ll be out of here in an hour tops.” He crosses his arms mimicking me.My smile widens. “God you’re stupid…” I t
Chapter 34 – She escapes.Gracie AlmadaPOVMy burner ringing causes me to frown. Who would call me on this cell? I don’t have any numbers saved. I haven’t even given the number to anyone yet.I was planning to call Gavin later with it. that was the only reason I had it with me.I answer, but I couldn’t hear a word the other person was saying on the other line. Frustrated I nearly strangle Francis.So, I walked out of the cabin, I make my way further away.“What did you say?” when I finally have signal, I ask.“Gavin and the rest have been arrested. I cleared all contact between the two of you. You need to lay low for a couple of days. Make sure the girl doesn’t have anything on her that can be traced. We can’t let them find you. I’ll deal with Gavin…” She hangs up soon after.I frown and throw the phone against a tree. That stupid idiot! He got himself arrested! Why would he go on a job now when the police are all over?I knew he was useless. I wasn’t done using him yet and he got hi
Chapter 33 – The arrest. Gracie Almada POV What’s taking them so long? Why aren’t they here yet? Anastasia’s brothers and Axel just left my apartment. Glad I wasn’t dumb enough to actually bring her here. Gavin’s bright idea to bring her here was wrong. I knew Axel would come to me. Honestly, I didn’t think he loved Anastasia that much. The panicked look on his face told me he loved her a lot. Which worried me. He wasn’t going to give up until he found her. I clench my fists in anger. If she wasn’t a damn busy body. Listening in on my phone call. She thinks I didn’t notice her behind me when she tried to back away? I don’t know how much she heard, but the way she rushed out of here, I knew she knew I wanted to kill Sadie. She couldn’t live. I was going to wait until she gave birth to kill her, but I couldn’t wait any longer. If she told anybody I would be as good as dead. If it wasn’t for my fast thinking and asking Gavin to get her before she got to her dad’s place she would h
Chapter 32 – Axel can’t find Ana. Axel King POV We had to call it in… Anastasia is now a missing person’s case. Anastasia Beaton – King is missing without a trace. Because she’s a cop as well they’re having other stations help look for her. I know we’ll find her. We have to find her. Anastasia is pregnant. but she’s still a cop. She’s still a cop through and through. She can handle it herself. At the same time that’s what worries me most. I keep asking myself. Why did she ask to meet me? Everything that happened today worried me. Her phone was found on the side of the road. She’s just gone missing into thin air. There’s no trace of her. The team seems to think the rapist took her. It had to have been them, said Lucy. She said that they’d been following her for months. So, it had to have been them. I’m worried for Beaton, she’s at least six months pregnant. I know she could defend herself in normal circumstances but she’s pregnant. I’m worried she might get hurt protecting the b
Chapter 31 – Ana overhears Gracie on the phone…Anastasia KingPOVGracie and I have been hanging out at her apartment for about an hour now, we’ve talking about what we’ve got planned for the future. Gracie has plans to be an EMT now because she doesn’t like the station, she’s at. I one hundred percent support her in whatever she chooses to do. That’s what friends are for.We went shopping this morning. I got a couple of things for the twins now that I know the genders. I got a couple of pillows and blankets. What shocked me most was how happy Gracie seemed today. I think she’s got a boyfriend. She wouldn’t tell me, but I’m not going to push her into telling me, I’ll wait until she’s ready. She went crazy with shopping she got a couple of sexy lingerie and a bunch of low-cut dresses and went to get her hair done.It was a bit weird for me, because I couldn’t step into the salon without feeling the urge to throw up, so I waited in the car. Her hair looks really great. She bleached her
Chapter 30 – Sadie is hurt.One week laterAxel KingPOVI’ve been feeling down lately, while not down, upset. Since seeing Beaton with that guy, these weird thoughts keep running through my mind. Like confronting her and asking her who the hell that guy is. Locking her in the house and never letting her leave. You know those kinds of thoughts.“Yo, Axel check this out.” Lucy calls from across the room. I look over and see her eyeing her computer screens.I walk over. “What’s up?” I asked her.“I found this guy. He dated five of the victims. He is pretty crafty; he deleted all the posts with him in it. I found him while checking their friends’ social media. How he deleted it from the victims’ pages is beyond me. They’ve got to have someone tech savvy amongst them…” Lucy goes on to talk but I’m eyeing the punk on the screen. He is with two of the victims.“Who is this punk?” I ask.“The names Hank Walters. He’s got no criminal history, the only link we have is that he knew five of the