"Are you sure you want to do this?" Lucas asked for the gazillionth time.
"You're right here, what could possibly go wrong?" I asked, not bothering to add a million possibilities of what really could go wrong with this plan. I was already shit scared, I did not need Lucas to know that though, he would not let me go through if he got even a whiff of doubt or uncertainty from me. "besides, you are only about a few inches away, if Sarah does anything, you'll be right here for me, right?" I tilted my head to meet his eyes.
"You know I will," he drew me closer and smashed his lips into mine. "If she tries to attack you, do not hesitate to leave a fist on her face, it's her one weakness."
"Her face is her weakness?" one of the cops in the room asked, shocked.
Lucas had a few officers on standby according to the plan and we had turned one of the guest rooms on the second floor of Lucas's house to a meeting point. Camera's had been set up throughout the house, monitored from a central station here in the room and I had a tiny mic on me, ready to record anything that had to be recorded.
It felt like we were rehearsing for an action movie as Robin had noted a few times, which in my opinion was an understatement considering how Lucas was overreacting.
Lucas and Mia had come back here with me while Robin went to handle things at the company and the rest of the family remained at Lucas's parent's house.
"She's a face and full-body model," Mia answered flatly from where she sat on a couch, typing away at her phone. She had grown pissed of telling Lucas I was going to do great and he had to stop worrying so much. Needless to say, he did not listen.
"That explains it." he scoffed, moving closer to where I was held firmly in Lucas's grip, "you might want to avoid getting physical as much as you can, we do not want any evidence aginst you whatsoever,"
Lucas gave him an icy glare and he cleared his throat before rephrasing, "on a second note, you can use a punch if you need to, just get a confession from both of them."
"Noted."
"I can just go instead," Lucas offered.
"Sarah knows she's no match for you, she won't even come if she knows you're here," Mia reminded him.
"Which is why you have to stay up here," I said to him, "Sarah and Emma have to believe that I'm here with the kids, alone."
"Someone just tried to enter with their keycard," the other cop standing next to the gaurd who I had never met before today said.
"Do I unlock the doors?" the gaurd asked Lucas.
"Yes,"' he grumbled.
"I need to go downstairs now," I said, hurriedly pulling myself from Lucas.
"You know what to do right?" someone asked.
"Yup," I nodded, thankful that no one could see past my false bravado. I brushed my lips against Lucas's "I love you,"
"I love you too,"
With a deep breath, I made my way downstairs just as Emma walked past the foyer.
"Chris!" she said in a high-pitched tone like she was shocked to see me.
"Hey Emma," I made my way to her and hugged her. I had to be careful not to show any emotion that might give our plan away. She had to be completely oblivious to my knowledge of how much of a snake she was.
"I feel like I have not seen you in weeks," she chuckled.
"It's only been days Emma," I snorted, taking the grocery bag in her hand and making my way to the kitchen. She followed closely behind me, "thank you for getting these for me, I really needed them."
"Are you joking? How can I say no to my soon-to-be boss," she said with a hint of spite and sarcasm.
"You know Lucas and I are not even planning on getting married any day soon and even if we did, you do not expect me to boss over you Emma." I took out the cold foods from the bag first and place them in the fridge.
"I know, I just love to tease you." she chuckled and joined me in unloading the contents of the bag.
Emma had always been a sweet person since the day I started working here and I hoped for a second that Lucas was wrong about her, because that option was much more preferable to believing that someone who was treated and accepted as family would betray him like that.
"So how is your nephew?"I asked, desperate to keep the conversation going.
"He's all better now, we left the hospital a few weeks after his surgery and I thought I would be spending this vacation with him, but it turns out I was needed here instead," she said with a sad smile.
"I'm sorry your time off got cut short, there was a change of plan with where the kids would be having their break," I kept my explanation simple.
"It's okay," she waved it off with her hand, and took the veggies "let me chop these, what do you think I should make for lunch?"
"Hmm, anything would be fine."
"Even for Mr. Maxwell?" she raised a brow.
"Lucas is not a picky eater," I scoffed at her pathetic attempt at knowing his family well, "and he's not even home."
Her head snapped up to me, "he 's not?"
"He's back at his parent's estate, won't come back until diner." this was my chance to lead her on.,
"Oh, but his car was in the driveway."
Shit!
"We took the chopper when we went there last night, it was an emergency." at least I would take the chance to delve further.
"There was an emergency?" he fingers clutched around the knife paused for a second as she stared at me terrified.
"Sarah tried to take the kids,"
"She what?!" if Emma had even the slightest idea of what happened last night, I could not tell from her expression.
"Don't worry, thankfully she was stopped on time." I refused to imagine what would have happened if she wasn't. "They're upstairs, sleeping after the trip back here."
She gave a cunning smile that made me question everything I knew about her. "You came home with them?"
"Yeah. They seem shaken after last night." that was not a lie, the kids had made a fuss when it was time to leave and only decided to stay back after I promised to come back soon for them. Abby and Aiden had never been terrified to stay over at their grandparent's even in our absence.
"That's so scary, why would Sarah try to take them?" she frowned.
"I don't know and I don't care." I said, not bothering to hide my disgust for Sarah, "I just never want to meet her again. Hey Emma, can you make lunch alone?" I held my head, feigning a headache.
"Is something wrong?" she looked genuinely concerned and once again I questioned if she was really capable of hurting this family. At least I would have my answer soon.
"I fell terribly tired. I could not get any sleep all night and now I have a headache too." I sighed, rubbing my head. I had to make sure she bought my act.
"Of course, you should take a nap, I'll handle things well here."
"You are an angel," I smiled and went to wash my hands at the sink, "thank you, I'll try to get the kids to help for dinner,"
I paused at the door as I walked out of the kitchen, hoping to get a reaction to anything that would prove or refute our doubts. She was as emotionless as ever. With a sigh, I walked back upstairs to join the others.
"Hey everyone," I said in a hushed tone, as I held the door open slowly.
"Muffin," Lucas reached for me first. I hugged him, releasing a sigh of relief along with him. "Fuck I was so worried."
"Well I don't think it's time to cast away your worries just yet, that was only the first part," the cop who had earned a glare from Lucas earlier said, "the real drama comes when—if—she comes."
"She will, I know she will," Lucas said without a hint of doubt.
"Well then, we just have to wait and see," Mia said, scooting over to give me a hug too. "You did great down there,"
"Thank you. I had a hard time reading Emma though, she was a thick as the very word."
"It's okay, her actions are about to give her away,"
"I'll go to my room now," I said heading for the door, "Just in case Emma comes up here."
"I'll come with you," Lucas said, following behind me, "and nobody's stopping me," he said before anyone dared to contest. He took my hand, "let's go,"
Waiting took close to another hour and I was starting to question if we had misjudged Emma. But that thought was cleared off my mind as the gaurd called Lucas to inform him that a woman had turned up at the door and Emma was trying to use her key card to let her in. Reluctantly, Lucas gave him permission to open the door. I imagined how hard it must have been for him to let a woman who had hurt him so much into his home. Emma probably had no idea that her key card access had been deactivated and the doors were being opened automatically by the gaurd. She really had no clue that we were on to them.
"Are you ready?" Lucas asked, still holding me across his chest on my bed. We had stayed in this position just soothing each other by our company for the last hour.
I pushed myself off him, "I am,"
"I absolutely hate this idea of using you as bait to lure that vicious woman,"
"You only said that like a thousand times, so I know." I kissed him again, "I'll be fine."
"Okay,"
I crawled off the bed and made sure my mic was working, before heading downstairs again.
I could overhear hushed voices with each step I took down the stairs and I recognized Sarah's at once. She was talking about doubling some payment or something.
Both their smiles completely fell off their faces as I emerged, arms folded and given them a questioning look. Emma's jaw dropped and she quickly scooted away from Sarah.
"Chris," she laughed nervously, " you're awake?"
"I was too hungry to sleep," I answered her, not taking my eyes off Sarah who was returning my glare.
"I thought you said the bitch was sleeping," Sarah said angrily to Emma, who was failing at her attempt at not knowing what was going on.
"What's happening?" I questioned Emma as if I did not already know.
"Um...Well...you see...she um...Miss Sarah just turned up here, requesting to see you. So I let her in, I was coming to call you upstairs."
I scoffed, feeling appalled by her lie. "What do you want Sarah?"
"I have no interest with you," she rolled her eyes at me, "let me go upstairs and take my kids and nobody fucking gets hurt."
"What kids?" I raised a brow, feigning ignorance. "Emma, what is she talking about?"
"I have no idea," she said, taking on the innocent note. "Miss Sarah maybe you should leave now." she started to drive Sarh towards the door and for a moment, I thought the plan was collapsing, but Sarah exploded, lighting everything back to life.
"You slimy little bitch," she pushed Emma hard enough to make her miss a step. "you told me the kids were here, well where are they?"
"Miss Sarah, please keep it down and try to have some control..."
"Control? Why? You said there was no one here at home so if you are asking me to keep it down out of fear of her" he waved a hand over me, "you have another thing coming for you."
"I cannot pretend to get what's going on here, but the kids are back at the estate with Lucas's parents so please you both take whatever drama you are going at out of here."
"You lied to me?" Sarah turned to Emma who was giving me a confused look.
"But you said the kids were upstairs."
"You can go check for yourself if you don't believe me," I almost chuckled at how dumbfounded they both looked.
"You little bitch!" Sarah screeched at Emma, "why would you bring me here without a reason, you told me I would be able to get the kids out clean, what the fuck is all of this?"
"'Me? You're the one that has been calling non-stop to know what's going on with the kids and the house, I just took the first chance I got, how was I supposed to know she was lying?"
"Emma maybe it's time we just told her the truth," I said, throwing in some much-needed drama, "the cops are already on their way, no need to keep up the act, you have done well by rining her here."
The horror written on Sarah's face matched Emma's. "What are you talking about?"
Sarah launched at her before she finished her statement, grabbing her by the hair and pulling hard. I could not hold back my amusement as they fought like dogs, "After all I've done for you, you dare to sell me out?"
"I did not sell you out, let me go," Emma screamed, holding her head, "I have no idea what she's saying, let me fucking go."
"Okay, can you both murder each other outside?" I moved from the spot I was standing to dodge their attacks on each other.
They finally released each other, Emma looked tattered and worn up and Sarah looked like a wounded predator. "If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me." she wagged a finger in Emma's face, "I'm waiting right here, let the cops come. I'm sure you would like me to tell them how you have told me every detail about this house for the last four years, how many times you have let me in, and what else, oh you sold your key card to me, granting me access into this building every damn time. If I'm going to jail, you are following behind me."
"Miss Sarah do not do this to me," Emma sobbed, approaching Sarah with pleading eyes, "I really do not know why this is happening, I would never betray you."
"But you'd betray Lucas?" I could not articulate my shock at Emma, "after all he's done for you, you look into his eyes and sell him to this bitch? You disgust me, Emma."
"You're one to talk," Emma wiped her eyes, giving me the most deathly glare, "I mean you're fucking him so you get special preferences. I've worked with this family for almost six years and what do I get? Nothing except a paycheck not nearly enough to take care of my sick nephew. She gave me a better deal in exchange for some meaningless information, what should I have done? Turn it down?" she scoffed, "sadly not everyone is as virtuous as Chris the saint."
"If you had simply approached Lucas for a raise you know he would have given you."
"Well I didn't so what are you going to do about it?" she pushed her now messy hair away from her face and planted her hand on her waist.
"Lucas will decide that," I shook my head in disappointment, turning to Sarah, "and as for you, why do you even want o take the kid? Do you really think Lucas would jump back into your arms if you have them? If you valued your motherhood you would not have left them, so please go away from our lives."
She rolled her eyes and scoffed, "That's right, I do not want them, they ruined my career, why would I want those things?" my mouth hung open at her confession. Even after all these years, she had not changed in the slightest. "but my dear husband adores those brats. I can not see why, but they are his fucking life what can I do? I need them because seeing Lucas with you has made me realize I want what's mine back, I can only get him back if I have the kids so yes I need those kids and there is nothing you can do to stop me, try as you may. I will have Lucas back because I want him back and I must inform you that I always get what I want."
I walked up to her and before my mind could advise me against it, my hand launched out, leaving a good slap on her face, "Don't you ever speak about Abigail and Aiden that way again."
Her cheek was red from the mark of my slap and for a second I wondered where I got the courage from. A shrill cry cut through the air, Sarah was just as shocked as I was to have been slapped, she almost could not believe it.
As the realization hit her, she went crazy, launching at me so hard, she tackled me to the floor. She clawled at me with rage, screaming and screeching, "How dare you hit me you bitch,"
Emma was trying to get her off me with no use since I was bent on giving her a well-deserved fight too. We struggled for a few seconds on the floor, each fighting to stay on top, pulling and pushing and digging at each other.
"Get your fucking hands off her" Lucas roared, before his large hands picked her up and hauled her off me, sending her crashing to the side.
He leaned over me, bringing me to my feet and examining me with urgency, "Are you okay?" he asked, but all I could see was the will inside of me to tear her apart.
"I'm fine," I said, ready to go at her again, but Lucas held me firmly, pinning me to the spot, while Sarah was pinned to the ground by one of the cops.
"Let go of me, I'll show that bitch," she screamed and kicked and fought with no use.
Emma attempted to reach for the door and escape, but Mia caught her first, pulling her back to the spot. "No one's letting you off so easily." The cop pinning Sarah to the ground had her in cuffs, and the other did the same for Emma.
Curses and swears flew in the air as they were both dragged away, before they left I could hear each of them throwing blames at each other for what had happened.
"Are you okay?" Lucas asked the moment they were out of sight, he cupped my cheeks and I could see the rage dancing in his eyes. My next words were going to do so much to either make him relax or leave Sarah in a torn piece, I knew that. "Fuck tell me, Christine, did she hurt you?"
"No, I'm fine." I smiled, though that was not completely true, I still felt terrible for not breaking Sarah's nose or at least leaving a mark on her face.
"Fuck girl you scared the shit out of all of us,": Mia came up to me and held me in a tight embrace, "I do hope you beat the shit out of that psycho though."
"I wish I did," I said hugging her back.
"From the looks of it, I think you did," the gaurd chuckled from behind us.
"Did you get everything?" Lucas asked impatiently.
"Things did not go as planned," he said in a sad tone that scared me for a second, but then he added, "thankfully we got everything before the fight, so yes, we have the confession you need to have Sarah and Emma facing so good consequences from the law."