***Trigger Warning: This chapter contains heavy themes of domestic violence. Please take care of yourself and skip if you feel this may be triggering for you. 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**

Derek

I had an unusual feeling of fear as I followed Detective Mullens to an alley a little ways from the courthouse. There were no safe places to talk there, but this felt a little sketchy. I was glad that I made a stop at my truck and put my gun back on, just in case. He said that he was on our side, but could I really believe that? He was an NYPD detective, and even though he had admitted his entire force was corrupt, I wasn't just going to take his word for it that he wasn't.

When we got to the alley, I recognized the district attorney waiting for us. That gave me a bit more relief. He was the one who originally indicted Robby and if he was including him on this, there was a good chance Mullins was telling the truth.

"Hi Mr. Bennett, I'm Daniel Evans. I understand you know why we're here?" The DA shook my hand.

"Vaguely." I said flatly. I wasn't going to give away any information until I was 100% sure I could trust these men.

"I understand why you're hesitant to trust us. Mullins and I have been working on finding the truth out from the beginning. To be honest with you, Hastings and a good portion of his unit are absolute trash cops, and I wouldn't mind seeing him go down for these murders. But I am also an officer of the law, and because of that, I would have to come forward with any information you give me. So I'm not gonna ask for anything. I don't want to know if you know where Camryn and Riley are, or if you help them escape, or anything like that."

"Then why exactly am I here?"

"Because we want to share some information with you." Mullins said. "There is no way Robby is going to go down for this. His ties run too deep and there are too many people who want to get on Sid Hastings' good side. What happened today was a total setup. The second you got there, the juror followed you into the bathroom and then Robby claimed he had to go. We are sure they paid the juror off, but we can't prove it. Robby will get off, or at the very most probation."

"Basically, we're telling you that you, and anyone you might be protecting, need to get out of the country. And farther away than Canada. Robby is a small fish. I'm more interested in getting rid of all the corrupt police officers, and if we have to make a deal for Robby, we will." The DA said.

My heart sank. I should have known Robby wouldn't be convicted in this system. It was too complicated, too corrupt, too political. It was why cams abuse, and the abuse of millions of others, was swept under the rug. I understood where the DA was coming from, but Robby was no small fish in my eyes. Getting him behind bars was the only thing that mattered, but it was looking like I was going to have to take matters into my own hands.

"So you aren't even going to try him again?" I asked, rubbing my jaw.

Evans shook his head. "I think we can all agree he didn't kill his wife and daughter. He may be a lot of terrible things, but he's not a murderer."

"Like hell he isn't." I rolled my eyes. "Even if it hasn't happened yet, he's very capable of killing."

"I don't disagree with you. I know what he did to her and I know how easy it is for wife beaters to cross that line. But I can't consciously go after him for something I know he didn't do. So my strategy here is to make him think we still are. I'll offer him probation for any information he has. That way he'll be monitored, not allowed to leave the country, and have to check in multiple times a week with a probation officer. He'll lose his job and never have another opportunity to be in a position of power again."

"How does that help Camryn? The officers enforcing that bullshit are the ones on the Hastings payroll. You think that will stop him from going after her?"

"Like I said, I think it's important you and whoever you're protecting get out of the country. At least for a while."

I let out a sharp laugh. The politics here were disgusting. Cam had to uproot her entire life because Robby was going to be used as a pawn and not really punished at all for what he had done.

The law might not punish him, but I certainly would. I had spent months fantasizing about the things I would do to him, but I thought I'd never get the opportunity since he was going to prison. This opened up all kinds of doors, though.

"Especially after him being released today. I think the sooner you can..."

"What the fuck did you just say? He was released?" My eyes widened in horror. They couldn't be serious.

Mullins and Evans shared a worried glance. "Yes. The judge gave him bail and his family put it up. He was released an hour or so ago."

"Fuck." I hissed, pulling out my phone.

The screen was flashing like there was something wrong with it. I got to my Home Screen and pulled up Cam's name so I could call her and make sure everything was okay, but when I got into our messages, I realized there were two there that I'd never seen. That I didn't send.

Someone hacked my phone and told Cam to meet them in the parking garage. There was no fucking doubt it was Robby.

"He's got them." I swallowed hard, my chest tightening in fear. Everything I had promised Cam would never happen, had happened, and now he had her again.

Camryn

"Robby." I whispered, feeling like I was about to pass out.

Where was Derek? Was he even okay? Obviously, something had gone terribly wrong.

"Were you expecting someone else?"

"Yes." Riley nodded. "Mama and I were waiting for Derek."

Robby chuckled, and then bent down to her eye level. "Well, why don't you and mommy come with me for a while? I haven't gotten to see you in a long time."

"I don't want to." Riley frowned, wrapping her arm around my leg and eyeing the gun.

"Robby, please. I'll do whatever you want. Just let me take her back inside and.."

"Get in the fucking car, Camryn." He hissed, pure evil in his eyes.

I stood frozen, unsure what to even do. When I didn't move immediately, Robby stood up and pressed the gun to my temple.

I sucked in a sharp breath, biting back tears. Was he going to kill me right here?

"Mommy!" Riley shrieked.

Robby completely ignored her. "Get your ass in the fucking car or I'll blow you head off right here and make her watch. Do you understand me?"

I nodded meekly, taking Riley's little hand in mine. "Come on, sweetie. We're going to go with daddy for a while."

Riley started to cry, but I did my best to soothe her as we got inside Robby's car. I was terrified of what was to come. Robby was completely unhinged, and he was free and now he had us captive. We were in an even worse position than when we started.

Robby chatted the entire time we were driving, but both Riley and I stayed silent. She was on my lap, clutching to me tightly and every once in a while glancing up at him. When he turned off the highway, I knew immediately where he was taking us. This was his parent's neighborhood. I should have known they would be a part of all of this.

Robby parked in the driveway and came over to the side, forcing Riley out of my arms.

"Mommy!" She cried, reaching out for me and kicking at Robby.

He put her down, scoffing. "Is that anyway to greet your dad after you haven't seen him in months, Riley? Jesus Cam, have you just let her get away with everything the last few months? She's got no respect or manners."

"Robby, please. She's just scared." I begged, tears streaming down my face. I didn't care what he did to me, but the thought of him laying a hand on her made my heart stop.

Riley continued to cry, standing off to the side as Robby ripped me out of the car. "Fine. Get her." He shoved the gun into my back. "But if you make any kind of scene or say a word, I'll kill you both. That's a promise."

I bent down to Riley, quickly sweeping her into my arms. "It's okay, baby." I gently stroked her hair. "It's all going to be okay."

"I don't want to go with him, mommy." She sobbed, burying her head into my shoulder. "I want Derek."

"Shhhh." I soothed, hoping Robby hadn't heard. "You're okay."

Robby forced us into his parents' house, and they were waiting for us in the foyer.

"Oh my god, Robby. What have you done?" His mother covered her mouth.

"Shut up. All I did was take back what's mine. Are you going to help me or not?"

"Of course we are." Sid sighed, shaking his head. "Take them upstairs."

I was completely blown away. I knew they would protect Robby, but they were really just going to sit there and let him kidnap us like this? I knew they didn't really care for me, but Riley was their granddaughter. Were they really that okay with him treating her this way? It was unthinkable and disgusting and I felt so incredibly helpless I had no idea what to do.

Robby led us up the stairs and down the hallway. "Riley, you go play in your room. Your mommy and I need to talk." He smirked at me, opening the door to the room Riley usually stayed in when we were here.

"It's okay, sweetie." I said, gently putting her down. "Why don't you play for a little while and mommy will be back soon, okay?" I mustered up the best smile I could, trying to assure her. I knew she was picking up how I was feeling and I didn't want her to say or do anything to set him off.

Riley went in with her backpack reluctantly. She glanced over her shoulder one more time before Robby slammed the door shut.

"Let's go." He grabbed my arm roughly, forcing me down the hall. He opened another door and threw me inside, shutting it behind him and tossing my things to the side.

"Happy to see me, baby?" He grinned, stalking towards me. I back peddled as fast as I could until I ran into the wall.

Robby grabbed both of my wrists, pinning them above my head. He slammed his lips into mine painfully, and I immediately tasted blood. He nuzzled into my neck, ignoring the tears streaming down my cheeks. "You smell like him, you stupid bitch." He glared, backhanding my cheek with so much force I would have fallen over if he hadn't been holding me against the wall.

"Did you really think you could get away from me? You honestly thought I wouldn't find you?"

"Robby I didn't..."

"Shut up." He hit me again. "I've got news for you Camryn. You're mine. And I'll always find you. There is nothing anyone can do to stop me. I'll always get you. As long as you're alive."