Derek

"You'll call me immediately after?" Cam asked for about the tenth time just this morning. We were sitting on the balcony having a cup of coffee before I had to leave for court. This morning I was starting my testimony against Robby, and with any luck, we'd be back on a plane out of here by tonight. At least that was what Cam and I were hoping. The trial process was painfully slow, and I knew it could be several days, but I had high hopes, nonetheless.

"I promise, babe," I assured her, reaching for her hand. "Everything is going to be fine. I was only with him for an hour. There isn't even that much I can say."

"Right. But they're going to try to trap you." She sighed. She was nearly shaking with anxiety and I hated that I had to leave her this way. She would be a mess of nerves the entire day.

"I know. It's their job to trap me or make me say something different from my original story. But that's not going to happen. It's going to go smoothly and then we're going to go spend a few months in the Bahamas. How does that sound?"

"I wish we could just do that right now and skip this entire thing. I don't even care if he goes to jail; I just want to be alone with you and Riley, far away from here."

I laughed, running my thumb against the back of her hand. "Now that's not true. We both want Robby to pay for what he did to you. He deserves to. He deserves to rot in a prison for the rest of his life, and I am going to help make sure that happens today. Now, can you at least try to relax? Riley is going to be ready for fun when she wakes up."

She let out a heavy breath and turned away. "You're right. I'll do my best."

"Thank you." I leaned forward, pressing a slow and gentle kiss to her lips. "I will call you the second I am out of there, okay?"

She nodded. "Please be safe."

"I will be. I love you."

"I love you, too." She said, as I headed for the door.

I grabbed my computer bag and gave her one last smile before heading out. The court house was a short drive from my building, but I didn't run the chance of being late and this getting drawn out even more. Will was going to stop by throughout the day to check on the girls, and I knew that would ease Cam's mind a little. I didn't blame her for being so anxious, but I hated not being able to fix it, or at least be there with her as she worked through it. I realized the very best thing I could do for her was make sure this ended the right way, and it ended quickly.

I expected the courthouse to be packed with reporters, but it was an absolute madhouse. The eyes of the entire world were on the outcome of this case, and it was a bit overwhelming. I pushed through the crowds and found my way inside, standing right outside the courtroom. I couldn't be in there while other testimony was going on, so I just had to wait. I went into the bathroom and, a few seconds later, the door opened and I was face to face with Robby and a court officer.

Robby gave me a sinister grin the second our eyes met. "I was wondering when I was going to run into you."

"Hello, Robby." I clenched my jaw, fighting every urge in my body not to strangle him right here and now.

"Funny, you being here to testify in my defense when you're the reason I'm sitting on trial, isn't it?" He chuckled.

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about."

"You're in here to use the restroom, Hastings, not socialize." The guard shoved Robby forward.

"What did she tell you, Derek?" He kept at it. "That I roughed her up a little? The bitch is crazy. Every word she says is a lie. She'd throw her own self down the stairs if she thought it would come back on me."

"Hastings!" The guard snapped.

"You're disgusting." I had to clench my fists to hold myself back. Even the way he spoke about Camryn enraged me in ways I had never experienced before. After the sacrifices and things she did to make him happy, and here he was trying to make her out to be the crazy one. I hoped no one would fall for his gaslighting.

"Where are they, Derek? Still in Canada, or did you bring them with you? I'd love to see my daughter."

"That's it." The guard grunted, hauling Robby out of the bathroom by his handcuffs. Another man who was inside the stall scurried out after them.

I was alone and our encounter was over as quickly as it had started. I took a few minutes to compose myself. Robby had wanted to throw me off of my game, but that wasn't going to happen. I had one goal in mind and nothing was going to stand in my way.

After about fifteen minutes, I walked toward the courtroom and ran into Detective Mullins. "All ready or me?" I asked, anxious to get this started.

"Actually, Derek, there has been a change of plans." His face was defeated."Did you have an altercation with Robby in the bathroom a little while ago?"

I gritted my teeth. "I wouldn't exactly call it an altercation. He was throwing around all kinds of crazy accusations after the guard told him to shut up and then he took him out."

Mullins nodded. "Unfortunately, there was a juror in the bathroom at the same time. He heard the conversation and, although all Robby did was incriminate himself, the judge declared a mistrial because he doesn't believe the juror will be able to stay impartial."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me." I ran my fingers through my hair. "So, this was all for nothing?"

"Not for nothing. We have a solid case against him, and we'll try him again as soon as possible. But in the mean time, I was wondering if you might answer a few more questions for me."

Damn it. I was starting to think Cam was right and we should have just run. I knew I could still talk my way out of all of this, but now I was going to have to find a way to explain why Robby thought I had taken Cam and Riley. I was sure he was spouting off the entire thing to his attorneys and the detectives right now.

"About what, exactly?" I pressed.

"About the fact that I know Camryn and Riley are still alive." He kept his voice low. "We can't talk about it here because I can't trust anyone on this force. But I'm on your side here. I want to help."

Camryn

I sat anxiously by my phone the entire day, waiting for Derek to call me. He'd been gone for hours and Riley and I were both going stir crazy. A few hours ago, Will had been by with lunch to distract us and while it was a kind gesture, it didn't help at all. All I wanted was word from Derek that everything was okay and he was safe.

Finally, a text from his phone came though, and I nearly cried with relief.

All good. We're out of here :) meet me in the parking garage with your bags in fifteen minutes. Come down the back stairs so no one sees you.

It was finally over. We could get out of here and start our own life together, whatever happened to Robby. Derek was right, he deserved to suffer, but at this point, all I could think about was getting away with him and Riley and never coming back. The two of them were all that mattered to me. Well, then and my father. Maybe we would finally be safe enough to see him.

"Ready to go, Ry? Derek is coming to pick us up." I smiled brightly.

Riley grinned. "And take us back to Canada?"

"No, the Bahamas!"

"Yay!!"

I was just as excited as she was. The beach and the ocean and my little family were just the rejuvenation my soul needed.

Riley and I quickly got our things together and headed down the back stairs to meet Derek. We got to the parking garage, and he wasn't there yet.

"How much longer, mommy?" Riley huffed, tossing her bag to the ground.

"Just a few more minutes, sweetie..." I checked my phone. It had only just been fifteen minutes, so he would probably be here in any second.

"Hi Daddy." Riley's little voice was like nails on a chalkboard. There was no way. He couldn't be here. Derek had said... My mouth went dry as I slowly turned around.

"Hi girls." Robby was standing a few feet away from us with a gun pointed right at us. "Miss me?"

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***If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence of any kind, please reach out to someone in your community. In the US, that number is 1-800-799-7233**