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My hands were shaking, my breath coming in short gasps. I picked Stelli up and ran once again, this time toward the house. Leo was never going to believe me. He was going to stay with that bitch until she killed them all. But she wasn’t going to get Stelli. He was mine. I knew then what I had to do.Stelli writhed in my arms, beginningto rouse. “Shhh,” I said, and kissed him on the head. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’re going to see Mommy. That’s what you wanted, right?Everything’s going to be okay.”
I stumbled along, holding Stelli against my chest, until we reached the edge of the mountain. I turned to the house for a final glimpse and then looked back over the cliff to the sea. It was beautiful down below.
Stelli’s eyes were open now, and I could see the fear in them, but I didn’t want him to be afraid. “Stelli, it’s all right. Don’t be afraid. Your mommy’s gone, but she knew I would take care ofyou, thatIwould be your new mother.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, saying a little prayer.
Olivia was waiting for us, I knew.I tried, Olivia. Leo wouldn’t listen. But I’m protecting Stelli, bringing him to you, and we can share him.I opened my eyes and took one last look at the splendor below, at the black, howling ocean that would soon be our home.
I lifted my foot to step forward, holding Stelli against my body.
“Stop!”
I turned around. Piper was standing there with Evie next to her, crying.
“Joanna, please. Talk to me. Step away from the ledge.”
I laughed. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? You must derive some sick pleasure in killing. You can’t have Stelli. He’s mine.”
“You’re right.”
“What?”
“He’s not mine. I should have never come between you. Just come back to the house, and we can talk about it.” She took a step toward me.
“Don’t come any closer, or we’ll jump right now. I’m not an idiot. You’re lying.”
“No, I’m not,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please, let him go. Take me with you instead.”
“Why would I want to take you?”
“He’s young. Too young to die. You don’t want me to have them, and that’s fine. I’ll go away. Let Stelli stay with his sister. Please.”
She looked sincere, but she’d fooled a lot of people.
“No deal,” I said, and turned back toward the ocean.
“Wait!” she screamed.
I whipped around. “You think I’m stupid, don’t you? I don’t believe you. Leo’s just like my father. He’s taking your side against mine. But Stelli belongs with me. You and Leo can’t have him.”
Stelli was now squirming, though sluggishly, in my arms. I was having trouble holding on to him. I looked over my shoulder. The edge was only two feet away. I could make it over with Stelli before Piper had a chance to reach me.
I hitched Stelli up, wrapping my arms more tightly around him. “Stay still!” He was crying now and calling Piper’s name. “Stop, you can’t trust her. Stay with me.”
Here we go, I thought, as I took a step and leaned back.
“She’s going to push Stelli just like she pushed Mommy!” Evie yelled.
I froze.What did she say?What had she seen that night? Suddenly, nails clawed at me, ripping into my flesh. I fell to the ground and Stelli rolled from my arms. I was too stunned to understand what was happening at first, but then I saw Piper pick him up and push him toward the house.
“Run,” she said, following behind him.
I had no choice. I’d never wanted to use the real gun, but I couldn’t let Stelli run away. He belonged to me and to Olivia. She was waiting for us. I’d promised her that I would never let him go. I withdrew the gun from my pocket and aimed at Stelli. Taking a deep breath, I tightened my finger on the trigger and fired. The next bullet would be for me, and then we’d be together forever.
53
Piper
“Come on, Stelli, hurry,” Piper cried, catching up to him and grabbing his hand. She turned to look behind them and saw the glint of the gun in Joanna’s hand. The veins in Piper’s neck pulsated, and her heart was hammering in her chest. She squeezed the tiny hand in hers and steered Stelli’s body in front of hers as they continued to run. Stelli was crying, and his legs were faltering. Piper turned once more, panicking, heart thumping, as Joanna raised her hand, the gun pointed at Stelli. Without a second’s hesitation, Piper pushed Stelli to the ground and threw her body on top of his, just as a gunshot tore through the morning air. With Stelli’s small, shaking form beneath her, she could hear his sobs and feel his terror. The musky scent of grass filled her nostrils, and as she wrapped her arms and legs around his little body, a searing pain registered, shooting through her upper arm.