Chapter 12: Delay

Later that evening Kevin and I have dinner with his brother, wife Mary, her mother Anna and their three children ages 2 months. 2 years, and 5. The oldest being a boy that looks just like Karl and the two youngest girls a perfect beautiful mixture of both.

Willow: You have such a beautiful family.

I address Mary a beautiful young 30's Italian woman with shoulder length black wavy hair. Hazel eyes and sun kissed skin. Who looks absolutely beautiful for a women with three young kids.

Mary: Thank you. And you. My god you are even more beautiful in person. I am just so honored you are here having dinner with us.

Willow: The honor is mine. Your Pasta Carbonara is to die for.

Mary: Well thank you, it is a family original recipe passed down through generations.

After dinner I help Mary with the dishes while Karl and Kevin are hanging out in the man cave catching up. With Little Adel asleep in Kevin's arms, Anna puts the other two kids to bed.

Mary: I apologize if I seem a bit Star struck. It's just. Well Karl has never brought a client home and for you Willow Grayson to be standing here doing dishes in my kitchen is so unbelievable. Would I be over stepping if I asked for your autograph on my hard copy of "Goddess of the moon" and "In light of darkness"!

Willow: I'd be happy to. But really I don't see the big fuss. I'm just a writer.

Mary: A very good writer. Oh trust me. Your stories do more than just give a few of us moms a little something to fantasize over. The mysteries and suspense in the story lines. Your way of bringing the characters to life.

I feel the heated blush rise in my cheeks. As I hand her the last dish to dry.

Willow: Anna, It was a pleasure meeting you. Mary I can't thank you enough for tonight. Thank you for letting me into your home and for letting me borrow your husband while I've been in NewYork. I promise he's all yours after tomorrow.

She laughed as she wrapped her arms around Karl's waist.

Mary: Pleasure was all mine. Thank you so much for coming. Please feel free to stop by any time you're in New York.

Willow: I hope you know I will be taking you up on that.

We exchange goodbyes and head back to the hotel. It was a beautiful, welcoming experience in light of the growing fear which caused me to remain on edge during what would have been a nice drive back.

Kevin: Willow!

I keep staring out the window trying to push the feeling down. But it's getting the better of me.

Willow: Do you think we can take the jet back home tonight.

Kevin: I'll call it in. Are you alright.

Willow: Yes and no. I just have a really bad feeling.

Kevin makes a couple of calls. None of which sounds very promising.

Kevin: There's a blizzard coming in keeping all flights grounded for the next few hours. Mike and Mick are on guard again tonight and I'll be right next door. Unless you want me to find other means of transportation?

Willow: No no that won't be necessary. Thanks for trying.

Back at the hotel, Kevin clears my room and pauses at the door.

Kevin: I know you're husband wouldn't like the idea even though you're as safe with me as you would your father, but I can stay if you want. I'll take the chair and wait up til you fall asleep.

Willow: I appreciate that Kevin but I'll be fine. I'll see you in the morning.

He nods and closes the door. I hear him say something to Mick who's on guard but I can't make out what he says. I decide to take a quick shower and curl up in bed with my notes opened on my phone. My thumbs start typing away as a new story comes to life. With my anxiety temporarily subdued I wrote long into the night till I fell asleep. I wake up a few hours later by "next to me" playing on my phone. I look at the text from Liam. It's 4am here but already 7am back home. It's a picture of him holding Loki.

Liam: We miss you.

Willow: Miss you both so much. Can't wait to be back home.

Liam: I didn't mean to wake you.

Willow: It's ok. It was worth it waking up to that adorable picture of my boys.

Liam: What times the flight?

Willow: 8am unless there's another delay.

Liam: God I hope not, I couldn't stand another day away from you. So, you'll stop at the station first right?

Willow: Of course!

Liam: alright baby go back to sleep. I'll talk to you a little while. Love you.

My heart pounded into my chest at that moment. The anxiety was creeping it's way back in.

Willow: I love you Liam.

I set the phone down and blindly feel my way to the bathroom to pee. As I'm about to crawl back into bed I notice another text.

Kevin: There's been another delay till possibly noon. You running this morning.

Willow: No. I'll let you off the hook today.

Kevin: Thanks boss.

I shoot Liam a quick text about the delay before I crawl back into bed. But I can't sleep. Something is eating away at me. My default text tone dings and my gut knows it's him. He hasn't text or been seen since the day after he attacked Liam.

Mark: You finally remembered me.

Willow: Mark Volkov! Yeah I vaguely remember you.

Mark: I could've been much more memorable, if your asshole ex hadn't cheated. It was the only thing he was ever good at.

Willow: The bet?

Mark: How did you know about the bet?

Willow: I didn't, but you just confirmed it. I had a dream or rather a memory. Bret called you by your name and said you had lost the bet. So tell me! What was the bet.

Mark: I'll tell you when I see you.

My heart pounded at his words but it was the photo he sent next that had me frozen in fear.

It was of Kevin and I saying good bye to his family. The photo seemed focused on his wife Mary and the baby.

Mark: It's almost 6. Time for your morning jog.

Willow: I have a team of security surrounding me. And that family in the picture you just sent are heavily guarded. So did you really think you could scare me.

Another picture comes through. This one is a view through Karl's living room window. His wife Mary is cradling their two month old Adel.

Mark: From where I'm standing she's alone with three small children. Well and an older lady I assume is a mom or a grandma. All while her husband is on his way to your hotel. It would be a shame if something were to happen to any of them.

Willow: You son of a bitch. I swear to god of you hurt any of them I'll fucking kill you.

Mark: Oh there will definitely be some fucking.

Now, put on those cute winter jogging clothes of yours and head east through Central Park.

Willow: My guard will be with me.

Mark: You told him you weren't going today, and I am sure you can figure out a way to out smart and out run tweedle dee standing out side your door.

Willow: and then what.

Mark: Text me when you get to the bridge you stopped at yesterday.

My fingers tremble as I stare dumbfounded at the phone. He's been more then a step ahead this whole time. But how the fuck did he know what I text to Mark a little bit ago.

Mark: Oh and Willow, I see all of your messages so don't think about alerting anyone.

I take a deep breath and think about Mary and her children. Karl, Mark. I quickly get dressed and dart out the door.

Mick: Ah Mrs. O'Bryan! Isn't Kevin going with you.

Willow: No not on Sundays. I'm just going to go jog the stairs a few times. You can stand at the rail and watch or join me.

I don't slow or even look back at him as I speak out and head for the stairs.

Mick: Hold on Mrs. O'Bryan, let me just.

I'm already through the stairwell door before he finishes his sentence, and I book it down the stairs in record time. I already lost a child due to my weakness. Liam had already been injured by this asshole. I'll be damned if anyone else is getting hurt because of me.

This guy wants me for what ever reason and I am going to do what ever I have to keep everyone else safe.

When I get to the bridge I text him.

Willow: Here.

Mark: Reach under the rail you leaned over yesterday, you'll find a phone taped underneath. Drop your phone in the creek and keep jogging east.

I find the phone, but instead of tossing mine I set it under the rail. I know Toms guys will track it, and they'll see the messages. I don't know if it will do any good but I have to hope. A minute later the new phone rings.

Mark: There's a cab waiting for you at the east exit of the park. #7. Get in!

I find the cab but before getting in I take a good look around. No ones caught up to me yet. I look for cameras and stand there a good long minute hoping they will see the cab I'm about to get into.

Driver: Hey lady you getting in or what.

Willow: Yeah sorry.

Just as I take a seat and close the door I look towards the park and see Mark running towards us. The cab takes off and I look back out the window shaking my head. He desperately tries to catch up but with no traffic on a Sunday morning on the east side we vanish. I can only hope he finds my phone so they can get to Mary and the kids. The cab pulls up to the train station and Mark calls with further instructions.

Mark: Pass through the station to the south side find cab #3.

My every step through the station becomes heavier and heavier. I'm not sure how much longer my heart can take the endless fear as it continues to beat like an erratic drum, but I can not stand the idea of something happening to anyone. Especially innocent children. I crawl into cab 3 where I am then taken into a parking structure somewhere in Hudson Heights. The phone dings.

Mark: Get out and head for the elevator.

The second I get out, the cab takes off. It's not very well lit, and there's tons of cars but no people. I slowly head for the elevators then stop mid way between some cars. I can feel his presence. The hair on my neck rises. I shiver as goosebumps cover my arms. If he's here then Mary and the kids are safe. I scan the area looking for him but I see nothing. I continue heading for the elevators and the feeling gets stronger. I still have no clue where he is but I know he's there. I take a chance and dial 911. Just as a dispatcher picks up I feel a sudden sharp pain in my right arm. The phone drops from my hand as I turn my head to see his hand pulling away with a syringe.

I spin quickly throwing a left hook. He pulls back in attempt to avoid contact, but my knuckles graze his jaw line. He smiles wickedly at me and chuckles in a villainous Russian tone. I rear back swing with another left but I suddenly feel sluggish. He catches my hand twisting it behind my back and slams me forward into a car. My body goes cold as my eyes begin to close. His voice becomes muffled as my ears ring and black spot evade my sight. Darkness consumes me.