Page 75 of Merciless King

“Mrs. Collins,” the pick-up duty teacher says, looking at me in confusion.

I shudder at the name, hoping to be rid of it soon. “Where’s Elysse?”

"Elysse's father already picked her up about fifteen minutes ago."

For a moment, I'm struck with a wave of relief. Elio must have changed his mind about the meeting and decided to get Elysse, wanting to keep her close after the troubling developments with Gabriel.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I say to the teacher, shaking my head. "There must have been a miscommunication. Her father and I are… well, it's a bit complicated at the moment."

“It has been awhile since he’s picked her up.”

I start to get into the car when her words strike something inside me. “Wait… who picked her up?”

The teacher's brow furrows even deeper at my words. "Mr. Collins. He said you were feeling under the weather and asked him to get her."

The blood drains from my face. My heart stops. It wasn't Elio who picked up Elysse… it was Gabriel.

Panic rises, threatening to choke me. How could I have been so stupid? I should have known Gabriel would try something like this. God, why didn’t I say something to the school?

I grab the teacher's arm, my fingers digging into her skin as terror consumes me. "Are you sure it was him? Did he say anything else? Did Elysse seem okay?"

The teacher looks startled by my intensity, but she nods. "Yes, I'm certain it was Mr. Collins. He was very charming, as usual. Elysse… well…” Her face scrunches up as if she’s thinking. “She did seem wary, but then he told her you were home and wanted to see her."

I can barely process her words, my mind spinning with horrifying possibilities. What if Gabriel hurts Elysse? What if he takes her somewhere I can't find her? What if I never see my little girl again?

I whirl around, racing back to the car as I call out to Danny. "We need to go to my house.” I rattle off the address. “Right now. Hurry.”

Danny tenses. “Is something wrong?”

“Hurry!”

He puts the car in gear and peels away from the curb. I dig my phone out of my purse, my hands shaking so badly I can barely dial Gabriel’s number.

The phone rings and rings, each unanswered tone ratcheting up my terror. By the time Gabriel's voice comes on the line, I'm nearly hysterical.

"Gabriel, please," I beg, my words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "Please tell me Elysse is safe."

I'm met with a cold, mocking laugh. "You sound upset, Piper. Is something the matter?"

I clench my jaw, fighting back the urge to scream at him. I know I need to stay calm, to try to reason with him, but it's so hard when all I can think about is my little girl in his clutches. I can’t deny that if Elio were here now, I’d give my consent to end this once and for all.

"Gabriel, please," I say again, my voice breaking. "Just tell me where Elysse is. I'll do anything you want, just don't hurt her."

There's a long pause on the other end of the line. “Anything, Piper?"

I swallow hard. "Yes. Anything. Just please, Gabriel, let me talk to Elysse. Let me know she's okay."

Another pause, longer this time. I can hear him breathing on the other end of the line. "I'll tell you what,” he says finally. "I'll let you talk to Elysse. I'll even let you see her. But only if you come home, alone. No Elio, no police, no one but you."

My stomach twists at his words. I know what he's doing. It’s exactly what he said he would. I just didn’t think he would act so quickly. I shouldn’t fall for it, but what choice do I have? I can't risk Elysse's safety, no matter what it means for me.

"Okay," I whisper, closing my eyes as defeat washes over me. "I'll come home, Gabriel. Just please, don't hurt Elysse."

"I knew you'd see reason, Piper. And don't worry about Elysse. As long as you do exactly as I say, she'll be just fine. You know I’ve never hurt her. And I never will, as long as you behave. If you try anything… well, I can't make any promises about what might happen."

The line goes dead, and I'm left staring at my phone, my heart pounding in my ears. With shaking hands, I dial Elio's number, praying that he'll pick up.

“Piper?” His voice is warm, even apologetic. “Listen, how about you and Elysse?—”