Things were tense in the following days. Will and Alex were working hard to get him bailed out, which left Emma and Sabrina alone a lot. They set each other messages and photos of their babies. Emma would also send some to Alex to show Will since he obviously didn’t have access to his phone. It was a difficult arrangement, but they were managing. Minnie worried. Emma was more stressed than she would have cared for. “Sweetheart,” she soothed. “I know things are crazy now. But I need you to try and stay calm. This stress isn’t good for you or baby Lizzie. You’re still breastfeeding her. Your emotions can carry on into her.” “I’m sorry. No matter what, Will still has a way of making me crazy, I guess,” she laughed. The sound was sad and tight. “He’s a handful,” Minnie smiled. “But his heart is in the right place.” “How do you know him? He seems to trust you implicitly.” “I’m not sure he’d like me to say. I can tell you that an unsavory situation brought us together and I’d like to
“Danger?” Sabrina exclaimed. “You were in danger, and you didn’t think to reach out? We could have helped you!” “No, you couldn’t have. In his desperation, my dad turned his trust to the wrong people. And they weren’t the kind of people you cross. If I had called either one of you, it could have put you in danger too.” “I don’t understand how you were able to handle that all on your own,” Emma shook her head. “Well, you know. I may be gorgeous, but I’m still tough as nails and can kick anyone’s ass,” Jess winked. “I thought I saw you once. By the university.” “Yeah,” Jess put her head down, and laughed. But the sound was sad. “It was me.” “Why were you there?” “I guess to try and check on you. I used the excuse that it was to get my stuff. But I graduated the year before. I didn’t have anything left there at all. I figured that going to the university would be the easiest way to see either one of you. Didn’t think you’d recognize me though. I mean, that outfit? All of this glor
Jess looked at her friends and felt some of her motivation return. She had soldiers in her army now. People she could rely on to her help fight Before she was a lone general, deserted on an open battlefield, a prime target for her enemy. Now she led a battalion. The best team she could think of. “I can talk to Alex,” Sabrina offered. “He had some law enforcement connections and could also help to find an attorney for this case. I haven’t asked, mostly because I’m afraid to, but I’m almost certain he’s got some more… nefarious connections as well.” “Girl, what in the hell did you get yourself messed up in?” Jess teased. “He’s hot as hell, I couldn’t help it!” she laughed. “He’s also both madly in love with and terrified of you,” Emma pointed out. “Damn straight. He knows I can do more damage to him than whatever underworld muscle he knows.” “Atta girl,” Jess smiled. Their moment of levity was short lived as Emma brought them back to reality. “I’ll ask Will about it. It’s his
“That sounds serious,” Will mused after Emma explained everything about Jess. “I don’t know much about that particular subsidiary, but I’ll do some digging and see what I can find out.”“Thank you,” Emma heaved a sigh of relief.“I don’t like it one bit. I rejected that building months ago, and now this supposed subsidiary of mine picks it up?”“We all thought it was suspicious. Sabrina thinks it might be a paper company.”Will’s eyes darkened. These were not good words to hear. His arrest, his uncle’s quick ascension to the top, and now this… things were adding to numbers he did not like.“I don’t like it,” he repeated. “Keep your head on a swivel.”“I’ll be careful. Thank you for helping,” Emma said as she pulled out her phone. She started messaging Minnie to start this chain of command to get her home.“What are you doing?” Will asked. “Following instructions. I’m supposed to message Minnie so she can message Jack, so he can take me home.”“I’m right here, Emma. I can take you hom
Will fell asleep, slumped over on his desk. “Ugh,” he yawned as he straightened up. “That was a bad idea.” He stretched his arms out feeling all of the knots in his back. Nothing a hot shower won’t fix. He figured after his shower he’d let Emma know he was her new neighbor. She’d probably be upset about it. But it was done, and he wasn’t going back now. He recalled the way Emma stared at him while he was wearing more casual clothes. There was no hiding that hunger in her eyes. He knew it too well.“Well,” he smirked to himself. “I won’t be going to work. No need to wear a suit every day.” It was a diabolical plan. But if he was ever going to be with Emma again, he had to start somewhere. He stepped into the shower and enjoyed the feeling of the water cascading around him. It ran all over his body, and he couldn’t help but think it should be Emma’s hands all over him instead. He imagined her in the shower with him, her nails dragging down his back as he pressed his body into hers. “I
“Come on, pick up,” he urged after calling a couple more times. But each time he was met with the same answer. None. Panic began to set in. There was no other way he could think of to contact Emma. She hadn’t indicated where Jess said to meet, or if a place had been provided at all. He needed to call Jess. That seemed like the only logical solution, but he didn’t have her number. The other person he knew that could have it was Sabrina. If he called her in his current state, it would be a dead giveaway that something was wrong. That girl didn’t miss a thing, and he didn’t want to alert anyone yet. Not yet at least. For all he knew, Emma’s phone turned off from low battery, and lack of sleep was making him paranoid. But he figured he didn’t have a choice. He had to get that number. “There better be a good reason you’re calling me this late at night,” Sabrina answered in lieu of a greeting. “Hello to you too,” Will remarked. “What the hell do you want, Will?”“I need your friend, Je
Will pulled over, too overwhelmed to drive. “Goddamnit!” He yelled and punched the steering wheel. Moments later he received a message on his phone. It was a photo, and it made his blood run cold. The background was dark, not giving much of the location away. In the forefront, was Emma. She was unconscious and bound to a chair. A strip of gray duct tape was placed over her mouth. A trickle of blood had dried on her forehead. Will struggled to breathe as rage took him over. He thought about calling his uncle, demanding an explanation.If you deviate at all… Emma Wells will die. The voice rang in his head. The caller had used a voice changer so Will couldn’t pick up any specifics on it. He played the call over a few times, frustrated that he couldn’t place the voice. He didn’t have a choice. He had to go back and wait.“But not without a plan,” he said out loud. The kidnapper said not to call the police. However, Will wouldn’t play into their trap. Getting Emma back was the number one
Trigger warning: mentions of rape“We’ve been up ever since you first called me,” Sabrina explained. “I started thinking of anyone who would want to hurt Emma.”“Who would want to hurt Emma?” Spencer asked in disbelief.“The list is longer than you’d think. She had a lot of haters,” Sabrina said. “But none so great as Grace.”“It makes sense,” Alex added. “I hadn’t even thought of her as a possibility. I haven’t thought of her at all,” Will answered. Since chasing Grace away from Emma’s apartment, she hadn’t crossed his mind. All of his attention had been for Emma and Lizzie, and most recently, Robert. “I don’t think she’s capable of something like this.”“She was capable of drugging you, trying to rape you, faking a pregnancy to trap you and planting drugs in your car!” Sabrina screamed. “Holy shit,” Spencer commented, looking at Will with confusion and pity.“Yeah, long story,” Will said to him.“And she hates Emma! Absolutely hates her! She is vicious, conniving, and evil!” Sabri
Six months later “Stewart Industries Landmark building construction was completed today. The twenty-story building boasts retail, commercial, and event space. The impressive building has already become a hallmark of the city with a silver tower as its crown. Glass windows glisten in the sun. And anyone in the city can enjoy the gorgeous public park that surrounds it. It is a gorgeous and shining collaboration of the best and freshest minds in the city. William Stewart has named the structure, ‘The Conrad Tower,’ in honor of his beloved late grandfather. The city awaits now for the building to open and for all the new opportunities it will create. This has been Susanne Winters for Channel 16 news.” They all cheered and toasted the completion of the building, gathered around Will and Emma’s living room. “Here’s to The Conrad Tower!” Will raised his glass. “And to all the people that helped make it possible! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you all. Thank you.” They raised
The high from the success of the show had worn off, and Will felt himself spiraling. His pulse quickened; a sheen of cold sweat sprouted on his forehead. He held it together the best he could while around others. But alone, with nothing but his memories to accompany him… it was always the worst.As he arrived home and prepared himself for another lonely night, he was greeted by something unexpected. A large truck was parked in front of his home. Men moved in and out of it, bringing things inside.“…The fuck?” he muttered as he parked his car. “Excuse me,” he called out to them. “This is my home. What are you doing here?”“I hired them,” a voice said from the doorway of the house. He looked over towards the familiar voice, not daring to believe it. But there she was, bathed in the light from inside the house. “Hi, Will. I’m sorry if I startled you, but I w
Their days were filled with appointments. Every time they turned around, there was somewhere to be. Will had been discharged and had the company to take care of. With the building finally underway, Stewart Industries was thriving again. It was a rare moment that he got time to himself. And even when he did, everyone else was busy with their own hectic lives. Will floated around his giant, empty home. He went to work, came home, did his physical therapy exercises, and went to sleep. Alone. He found, in recent days, that alone was not a good place for him to be. Nightmares plagued his sleep, and he jumped at the slightest noises. Monsters had moved from under the bed and in the shadows to inside his mind.He hated it.Emma hadn’t been able to make good on her promise to move back. Things were hectic, and no one had time for anyone anymore. It had been almost two weeks before he saw anyone. They all called and messaged each other, but it wasn&rs
Will’s recovery was slow. The doctors had informed him that taking that bullet as such close range did a lot of damage, but it was the reason he wasn’t dead as nothing major was hit. He wasn’t out of the woods yet and would need a good round of physical therapy. The medical staff agreed that he needed to stay in the hospital for at least a week so they could monitor him. Emma and Alex fussed over him, making sure he listened and did everything according to the doctor’s orders.On the fourth day, he was restless and just wanted to leave. Alex was in the room with him, telling him off for not listening.“You’re being a brat,” Alex scolded him.“I just want to get out of this bed,” Will whined.“Try getting out again, and I’ll break both your legs.”“How very Mafia of you,” Will smirked.“Shut up,” Alex swatted at
Chaos exploded around them. Shouts and screams filled the air as Captain Whitlock ordered that Ghost be apprehended and an ambulance be called. Ghost dropped his gun and raised his hand in surrender as his fantasy came to life right before his eyes.“Beautiful!” he said over the din. “It’s more beautiful than I could ever imagine.”“Shut up,” Captain Whitlock spat as he wrenched Ghost’s hands behind his back. “You’re going to go away for a very long time. They may even make a case for the death penalty against you.”“I hope they do,” he said with a contented sigh. “I’ve done all I have ever wanted to do.”“Take this vile piece of shit. And read him his rights. This arrest needs to be perfect. I swear if this fucker gets out on a technicality, I’ll fire the lot of you!”An officer took Ghost a
Will turned around and the world moved in slow motion around him. About ten feet away from them, there he stood. Ghost. Denis. The man responsible for all the pitfalls in his life stood ten feet away from them, the sunlight glinting off the barrel of an ornate silver gun. How could he have been so careless?“Surprise,” Ghost sang.“How…” Will began to ask.“How did I get so close?” Ghost finished. “Without anyone noticing. Hmm…” he used the gun to scratch his temple for a moment and then pointed it back at them. “I’m the monster in the dark. The one under your bed. The one your parents warn you about. Oh wait… your parents wouldn’t warn you about anything. They’ve been trying to sacrifice you to the darkness for years,” he said with feigned contrition.“What do you want?” Will asked. His eyes darted around, looking for
They really thought they were smart, huh? They thought he would fall for their little traps. However, he couldn’t deny that they had presented him with the perfect opportunity. Will was serving himself on a silver platter. It would be so easy to just take care of him then. His ultimate fantasy could play out the way he’d always dreamt of. The very public murder of William Stewart was just something he couldn’t pass up.What reason was there even to hide anymore? They had revealed his identity. Everyone knew who he was. So, what purpose did the shadows serve him anymore? Perhaps it was time to come out into the light and end this charade. His last card against Will had been used up. He’d run out of games.“Let’s play,” he chuckled, loading his gun. “No plans. No backups. This is it.” His heart raced with elation as he envisioned a bullet ripping through Will. Hearing his loved ones cry as his body crump
The interview was a smash. The city was on high alert, and Ghost’s name was on everyone lips. The few times Sabrina went out, it’s all she could hear anyone talk about. She couldn’t help but feel a little proud. Captain Whitlock received dozens of calls and tips. Many people said how they knew Denis, and how there was no way he could be Ghost.Others said that they’re surprised they never saw the signs. Some offered clues and places that Denis used to frequent. He traipsed the city, following these clues. Most led to nothing. Just traces of an old that Ghost himself probably wouldn’t recognize. But there was one call…“Um… hi. Is this Captain Whitlock?” It was hesitant man’s voice.“Yes, how can I help you?”“I’m calling about Denis Ratcliffe.”Captain Whitlock received so many of these calls he was numb to them.
Will let the water wash over him as he tried to steady his frenzied heartbeat. The truth was that they were terrified. For Ghost to be so brazen as to just waltz into the police station and open fire did not bode well for any one of them. It was clear that Ghost was just as ready to end this as they were. He leaned his forehead against the cold tile, letting the rhythmic beating of the water of against his back soothe him.Soon enough, a shower wouldn’t be such an event. At least not the ones he took alone, anyway. Steam rolled off of skin as he emerged from the shower. Emma had laid out some clothes for him. Just a white t-shirt a pair of gray sweatpants. He laughed. Now that he was free and clean, he wanted to hold his baby.He went downstairs, back to the dining room where everyone was gathered.“Where is Lizzie?” he asked.“Right here,” Emma said. She stood behind him, holding a