Page 84 of Merciless King

Before I slip in next to her, I press my hand to Elio’s chest. “It’s all over?”

His eyes are soft. “Yes, baby. It’s all over.”

I give him a quick kiss, only later wondering if I shouldn’t have in front of the law enforcement men. Would that raise questions?

Then I climb into the backseat, taking Elysse’s hand.

We’re free.

32

ELIO

I’m no stranger to police interrogations, but this time, I’m antsy, irritated. I should take my family home so they can begin to recover from the horror of the day.

Finally, after hours of questioning, I’m able to drive Piper and Elysse home. Matteo stays behind a little longer to make sure he and I are in the clear of any wrongdoing.

The night has been long and emotionally draining for all of us, but especially for Elysse. She's been through a traumatic ordeal no child should ever have to face. I grew up in a family that wasn’t beyond using violence, but I’d never seen it until I was a teenager. Elysse is only seven!

I glance over at Piper in the passenger seat beside me. She looks exhausted, her face drawn and pale. But there's a fierce protectiveness in the way she holds Elysse close. I’m breaking the law driving them with Elysse in Piper’s lap, but there was no way Piper was going to stop holding Elysse.

I roll my shoulders, feeling unsettled, although I can’t pinpoint why. Piper and Elysse are safe from Gabriel forever. Perhaps that’s it. They don’t need me to protect them anymore. Piper is free to pursue her goals and dreams, find herself without me. After everything that's happened, I wouldn't blame her if she wanted nothing more to do with me or the violence that follows me.

When we arrive back at the house, I carry Elysse as Piper and I walk through the front door.

Lana greets us. “Thank God you’re safe.”

“Is there anything for them to eat?” It’s way past dinnertime. In fact, it’s past Elysse’s bedtime. But I want normalcy for them before they go to bed.

“I’ll check.” Lana leaves us to check the kitchen.

"Daddy?" Elysse whispers. "I was so scared."

I smooth her hair back from her face. "I know, baby girl. But you were so brave. I'm so proud of you."

Elysse's bottom lip trembles as tears fill her eyes. "He said he was going to hurt Mommy if I didn't behave. That it would be all my fault."

White hot rage fills me at Gabriel’s cruel manipulation. But I push it down. He’s dead, and Elysse needs me to be calm, steady.

"He was wrong. Nothing he did was your fault. And Mommy and I will always protect you, no matter what." I carry her to the family room and sit on the couch with her on my lap. I desperately need a shot of something one-hundred proof.

“He said you weren't my real daddy. That you stole me and Mommy from him and he was going to make you pay."

I exchange a pained look with Piper over our daughter's head.

“That’s not true. Remember, I knew your daddy a long time ago. We’re his family,” Piper says, resting her hand on Elysse’s.

Her words fill me with hope that Piper isn’t going to decide she needs independence from me.

Elysse curls into my body. "I tried to tell him I wanted to go back to school and wait for Mommy to pick me up. But he got really mad." A shudder racks her small frame. "He grabbed my arm really hard and said if I didn't do what he said, he'd hurt Mommy.”

Piper makes a choked sound, tears spilling down her cheeks. I feel sick to my stomach. I want to resurrect Gabriel just so I can kill him again, slowly and painfully.

But I focus on my little girl. "You listen to me, Elysse. You did nothing wrong. What Gabriel did, the things he said, he was wrong. You were so brave today. So strong. Mommy and I are so proud of you."

"That's right, baby," Piper says tearfully.

“Just remember, you should only leave school with Mommy or me. Maybe Matteo or Lana.” Perhaps I should discuss that with Piper first. In fact, I should discuss private school with her. I have no problem with public school, but private establishments are easier to assert my control over. With a few bucks, I can make sure Elysse has a guard with her.