Chapter 58

They spent the next couple weeks quietly...and Tori healed.  As the pain in her ribs and ankle faded, another discomfort made itself known - an ache deep in her core, reminding her that Zachary was over six weeks old.

But her husband wasn’t co-operating. Even after Dr. Crandall gave her the green light, and his urologist assured them that there would be no more surprise babies, he still insisted it was too soon and he would hurt her.

“Richie! Stop being mean!” She gripped his arm and tugged again, trying to pull him over her.

They were in bed and the heavy petting had raised her arousal to a level where his teasing touches and kisses – as pleasurable as they were - weren’t enough. She need more. She needed him.  Deep inside her.

“I’m not being mean. I just don’t want to hurt you.” But being noble and considerate was coming back to bite him in the...well not his ass – that was on the wrong side of his body....right half but wrong side.

“You won’t. I’m healed.” She assured him for the millionth time. “I’m not made of glass. You won’t break me.”

“But I like breaking you.”

She rolled to face him, one delicate finger tracing a line down the centre of his chest. “Does that mean the pirate’s going to make an appearance tonight?” While her libido loved the idea, her body wasn’t so sure it was up to it just yet.

“No, I don’t think that would be a good idea. You’re definitely not ready for that!”  His fingers trailed over her hip to tangle in the tight curls between her thighs. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t search for buried treasure.”

With exquisite care, he slid one long finger inside her slippery channel, watching her face closely for any sign of discomfort. “Okay?”

“Mmmm.” She moaned softly and closed her eyes to better absorb the sensations. “Better than okay.” She cracked open one eye. “But it’s still not enough.”

“Don’t be greedy.”

“Not greedy. I just want what I’m entitled to as your wife.  You vowed to honour me with your body, remember?”

His chuckle was a low rumble in his chest. “And you’re going to hold me to that?  Even if it causes you pain?”

“I’m going to hold you every way I can.  And it won’t cause me pain.” She reached between them to wrap her hand around his swollen length and stroke him. “This only brings me pleasure.”

It was Richie’s turn to groan. “Angel, you’re playing with fire.”

“Mmmm. I like a little heat.”

“Darlin’ you know – better than most – that ain’t little.”

“I don’t know. It’s been so long since I’ve felt it inside me, I don’t remember.” Her bottom lip came out in a playful pout.

He kissed it away. “So you want a reminder do you?”

“Mmmm.” She pressed closer, shifting her hips against the motion of his finger inside her.

“Like that?” He pressed deeper.

“Mmmm. More.”

“Are you sure?”

“Richie! Please!”

Richie bit back a laugh at her desperate tone. But he didn’t want to hurt her. Very cautiously, he added a second finger, feeling her humid tissues clench around it. “Still okay?”

 “Oh! Mmmm.” Tori licked her lips and decided to try a different tact. With one hand slowly pumping his erection, she used the other to rub and tweak a male nipple, while she sucked his full bottom lip into her mouth and released it slowly, scraping it with her teeth. “Richie?”

“Mmmm?”

“Don’t you want to be inside me? To feel my body holding yours so tight I can feel your heartbeat pulse deep within me? To feel the soft..wet....heat of my flesh surrounding yours? Caressing yours?”

His groan felt like it came from his toes. “God yes!”

“Then Richie,” she licked his lips and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Come inside me.”

With a low growl, he rolled over, forcing her onto her back and settling his hips between her eagerly spread thighs. Despite her irresistible lure, he entered her very carefully.

“Oooooh.” She closed her eyes.

Richie, only halfway in, froze. “Does that hurt? I knew it was too soon!”

Tori gripped his back, signalling her opposition to his withdrawl. “No! I’m fine. Really! It feels good.”

Unconvinced, Richie refused to push deeper. Instead, he withdrew despite her grip.

“Dammit Richie! I’m fine!” She was about ready to slug him.

He struggled not to laugh at the temper in her voice. She didn’t like to be told no. Holding her close, he rolled, reversing their positions.

Tori wasted no time in taking advantage of the new position. She quickly straddled him, sat up and guided his swollen flesh where she most wanted it.

“Easy, angel.” He grabbed her hips as she sank down. “Take it slow. Don’t let me hurt you.”

She wanted to growl in exasperation at his continual contention that he was going to hurt her.  Deciding actions would get her message across better since her words were apparently falling on deaf ears, she ignored the pressure of his hands and continued to lower herself until she’d absorbed his entire length. A smug smile curved her lips. “See? No pain.”

She may not be in pain, but he was aching. Nevertheless, he was still afraid to move. Of course, in this position, she did most of the moving....and she wasted no time in doing exactly that. He let her set the pace at first, but as she picked up speed, he increased the pressure of his hands on her hips. 

“Slow down angel. You’re not ready for hard and fast.”

Tori narrowed her eyes at him. “Yes I am.” Her nails bit into his chest as she leaned forward, groaning at the change in angle. “And I want it!”

But as soon as she picked up speed again, his grip tightened even more, forcing her to slow down.

This time she did growl...and decided if he wouldn’t play, she’d find a toy that would. “Fine.” Pushing away his hands, she lifted off of him and rolled to the side, one arm reaching for the drawer of her bed side table. “I’ll just have to find satisfaction another way.”

Richie watched in disbelief as she pulled out her vibrator and proceeded to pleasure herself.  The low hum of the toy did nothing to muffle her soft moans and sighs. He watched her face carefully as she repeatedly plunged the toy into her eager flesh, but saw no signs of discomfort, no matter how much force she used.

As her moans became louder and her body undulated with the movement of the toy, indicating her peak was approaching, he frowned. The pirate inside him was insisting that she should only get off with the toy when he was away....or when he was the one operating it. The glint in her eyes when he caught her looking at him told him she knew exactly what was going through his mind.

Stretching out an arm, he pushed her hand away, withdrew the toy and tossed it aside. “Brat!”

“Hey!” Tori rolled over and rose up on her hands and knees to reach for it. “I was enjoying that!”

Richie positioned himself on his knees behind her and gripped her hips. “Enjoy this!” With one hard thrust he was buried to the hilt inside her. “This is what you wanted isn’t it?”

“Yes! Mmmm...God yes!” She closed her eyes and focused on absorbing his repeated penetrations.

He caught their reflection in the mirror on the vanity at the end of their bed out of the corner of his eye. A vision appeared in his brain and he moved to achieve it, shifting them until they faced the mirror. Grasping her shoulders, he pulled her up until she was sitting straddling his thighs, her back against his chest. “Look.” He murmured in her ear.

Tori cracked open an eye and her breath caught at what she saw.   The mirror showed a couple in the throws of passions. Her face was flushed and covered with a fine sheen of sweat, her chest heaved with every ragged breath she took, her body swayed with the slow rocking of his hips. His eyes, almost black with hunger, ate up the visible evidence of the pleasure inundating her while his mouth tasted her neck and shoulder.

And between her legs they watched his hardness slide slowly in and out of her softness – much slower and more gently than she wanted.

“Richie please!”

He shook his head. “No. This way. Slowly....gently.” He stopped moving altogether. “Just feel me inside you....stretching you.”

But Tori was determined to win this battle of wills – one way or another. Reaching out, she picked up the vibrator again and pressed it against their joined flesh.

Richie jerked. “Whoa!”

With a low chuckle Tori stroked the humming toy up and down so that it caressed from her swollen clit down to the base of his erection, his sac, and the sensitive spot beneath it.

His hands clenched on her hips as new sensations bombarded the pleasure receptors in his brain. When it threatened to become too much, he made a grab for the toy, but she batted his hands away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Grinning in triumph, knowing he was close to the brink and nearly there herself, Tori held the vibrator still, flipped the switch to high and let the wave take her. “RICHIE!”

“Jesus! Holy fuck!” Richie gasped, stars exploding behind his eyelids as he came...and came....and came. He’d never felt anything like it. The vibrations caused what felt like a jolt of electricity running from his balls, up his pulsing shaft to burst out of the tip....and taking of the top of his head at the same time.  “Stop! No more!”

Shutting off the vibrator, Tori set it aside and collapsed on the bed, a satisfied smile curving her lips.

“Feel better now?” Richie asked as he pulled up the blankets and pulled her into his arms.

“Mmmmm...much.”

The next day, Tori was beyond frustrated with the lack of progress in finding Jasmine. To top it off, she was convinced that she wasn’t being told everything, so when Rob answered his phone and promptly left the room, she followed him.

Entering the office Rob reached for a pad of paper and pen. “Are you sure?” He started to scribble. “Yeah. I got it. Yeah. Okay. Right. Gotcha. I’ll wait to hear from you.”  Hanging up, he tore the top page off the pad, stuffed it into his pocket and turned to find Tori standing in the doorway.

“Everything okay?  Was that about our case?”

He hesitated, but didn’t want to lie to her. “Yeah. We got a lead on an address. The guys are going to check it out. They’ll let us know what they find.”

Tori watched him leave, then looked down at Taffy, who had become her ever faithful shadow ever since the car accident. “What do you think Taffy?” Glancing at the pad of paper, she noticed grooves from the pressure he’d used on the pen. She hesitated only briefly before picking up a pencil and running the lead lightly over the marks, revealing an address. “Ha!”

Returning to the living room, she stood looking out at the pool and debated what do to.  Her gut reaction was to go to the address she’d already memorized and take care of Jasmine herself – if she was there. But she knew if she told anyone where she was going, they’d never let her go. On the other hand, staying here twiddling her thumbs, waiting, letting someone else fight her battles, was driving her crazy.

And she couldn’t stand it any longer.

Decision made, she glanced at the baby checking that he was sleeping. He’d eaten just a little while ago, so should be fine for a few hours. Quietly, casually, she made her way to the garage door. She picked up her purse and was just reaching for the knob when she was reminded of her shadow by loud whining. “Sssh, Taffy.” She hesitated, but really didn’t have a choice if she wanted to make a clean get away. Plus it would give her a good excuse if she got caught leaving. “Okay, come on.” She reached for a leash.

Chapter 57

Richie pulled the Hummer to a stop and hurried around to the passenger door to help Tori out. “Wait until I get your crutches.”

Tori scowled at the wooden aides, but grudgingly used them to hobble into the house.

“Why don’t you go lay down on the couch and I’ll get you a cup of tea and an ice pack for your ankle?” Richie suggested. “Can I help?” He would have carried her, but he was afraid of hurting her.

“Thanks. I can manage.” She grit her teeth and struggled into the living room.

“Mama! Mama!” Stevie ran up and hugged her leg, almost knocking her over.

“Careful Peanut! Don’t knock her over.” Ava cautioned her brother. “Why don’t you let Mommy sit down, then you can sit beside her.”  She pulled Stevie out of the way and helped Tori get settled on the couch, putting her crutches out of the way. “How are you feeling?”

Tori lifted her bad foot up onto the couch and grimaced. “Like the tree won.”

“Mama got a boo-boo?” Stevie frowned at the bandage on her ankle.

“Yes.”

“I kiss it better.” He leaned over and pressed his lips to the bandage with a loud smacking sound. “Der.”

Tori smiled at him, her love shining in her eyes. “Thanks Peanut. It feels much better now.”

Richie came in with an ice pack and a cup of tea. He handed the tea to his wife and carefully laid the ice pack on her ankle. “Okay?  Do you need anything else? How’s the pain?”

“I kissed it and made it better Daddy.”

“That’s a good boy Peanut. It’ll be healed in no time now.”

Taffy wandered into the room, saw Tori and rushed over to the couch. After sniffing Tori over from toe to head, she planted herself on the floor beside the couch. No amount of coaxing from Stevie or Richie would get her to move.

“Looks like she’s in protector mode again.” Ava laughed.

“Gnh!” Lauren toddled in a book clutched in her hands. She walked straight to her father and held it out. “Ugnfn.”

“Okay Sweetpea, Daddy’ll read the book to you.”  He settled into the big armchair with Lauren on his lap.

“Me too Daddy!” Stevie tried to climb up.

“Okay Peanut, you too.” Richie helped him up and opened the book.

Tori smiled at the scene and let his voice telling the story of Cruella De Vil and her quest for a spotted fur coat lull her to sleep.

“How’s Tori feeling?” Joan asked her son.

“She’s sleeping right now.”

“It probably took more out of her than she wants to let on,” was Joan’s opinion. “She won’t want you to know how much pain she’s in either.”

Richie snorted. “No kidding. She’s a Bongiovi.”

Something in his voice alerted her mother’s instincts. “Something wrong? Are you two having problems?”

“No, we’re fine. We’ll be better when Jon’s investigator finds the crazy bitch. And it better be before Tori gets hurt even worse!”

The slight emphasis he’d but on his friend’s name gave Joan an idea of what was bothering him. “Do they feel they’re getting close?”

“I don’t know.” He raked a hand through his hair. “They tell me they are. Maybe Jon knows more.”

Aaah. “Richie.....does it matter who’s running the show as long as your family’s protected?”

“They’re my family Ma. It’s my responsibility to protect them. Mine. Right now I feel like I’m on the sidelines twiddling my thumbs. Useless!”   

“Who does she turn to for comfort and support?” Joan sighed at his grunt. Men and their macho thinking. “You know son, being her Knight in Shining Armour means being there when she needs you.  And it doesn’t always mean you have to slay the dragon.  Basically, it means that when the chips are down, she can count on you to be there to help do whatever needs to be done for the care and support of the family. Sometimes that means fighting off enemies, sometimes it means finding the right people to do the job......sometimes it just means she needs a hug.  Tell the caveman to back off.  Let the professionals do the dirty work, Richie. Just be the rock your wife can depend on.”

After dinner, they settled into the living room again. When the baby awoke and announced he wanted his dinner too, Tori reached for him, then froze, her eyes flying to Richie’s.

“What did they give me at the hospital?”

“It’s okay.” He assured her. “The nurses knew you were breastfeeding and said nothing they gave you would hurt the baby.”

Relieved, Tori gathered Zachary close and leaned back against the couch to feed him, wincing when he wiggled against her ribs. When he was done, she laid him back in his bassinet and stretched out, letting the cushions cradle her aching body.

Richie studied her for a moment, then approached her. Pulling the blanket off the back of the couch, he opened it and spread it over her. “Sit up for a minute.”

“Why?” She asked, but didn’t wait for an answer to comply.

He slid in behind her, making her question mute. Wrapping his arms around her, he gently pulled her back against him. “Comfortable?”

“Mmmmhmmm.” She turned her head to see him. “What’s with you?”

“I almost lost you.” He squeezed her carefully and kissed her forehead. “Don’t like that.”

Tori smiled and lifted a hand to caress his cheek. “I’m here, I’m okay.” She melted back against him. “I love you too.”

“Holy shit Tori! Are you okay?” Karin didn’t even try to hide her shock.

“A little battered and bruised, but I’ll be okay.” Tori assured her.

“This is nuts! Somebody’s got to stop the crazy bitch, and fast! What are the police doing?”

“As much as they can, but they don’t have the resources to spend all their time working on our case. Jon’s PI friend is working on it. From what I can gather he’s got a whole army swarming the city looking for her.”

“And that’s enough for you?” It wouldn’t be for the Tori she knew.

“For now.” Tori paused. “What choice do I have? It’s not like I can leave the kids and go looking for her myself.” At least for now.

“Mmmm. True. How is Richie holding up?”

“Frustrated as hell and trying not to let on to me how much this is bothering him.”

“And obviously not succeeding.”

Tori snorted. “No. I know him too well for that. But I appreciate the effort. I know how hard it’s been for him to take a backseat and accept a supporting role instead of directing things himself.”

Karin couldn’t help but laugh. “I think you’ve been in Hollywood too long. Do you hear yourself? Supporting role instead of directing?”

“Ha ha.  Gail would be so proud.” Tori chuckled.

“But seriously, he’s really kept the caveman locked up?”

“So far. He’s been a real rock. I couldn’t have kept it together this long without him.”

“Good for him.” Karin paused. “I’m surprised you’re being as calm about this as you are.”

“You caught me at a good moment. Most of the time I’m champing at the bit worse than Richie. I just have to have faith that they’re going to find her soon.” And then I’ll make sure she can never hurt us again.

Chater 56

Jasmine slammed the door of the rented room shut behind her and threw the bottle of water she carried across the small space where it hit the wall and slid to the floor.

“That fucking bitch!” She’d been watching Richie’s house, hoping for even a glimpse of him. But after she left her little present, there were always guards around. Someone else even walked the dog now. “It’s all her doing. I know it! She’s keeping him away from me!”

She paced the room several times before stopping in front of the mirror. Her eyes narrowed and her lips twisted into a snarl. “But I’ll take care of her. She’ll regret ever trying to stand in my way.  He’s mine and I will have him! The bitch is going to get what she deserves!”

Things had been quiet around the Sambora house for the last few days.  They’d showed Rob and the police the doll and note and had filed an official report. But the police didn’t have the manpower to monitor their house, so Rob had called in a security company he knew.

Tori was trying very hard not to get overly frustrated at basically being held prisoner in her own home. She couldn’t step out without a security guard with her. The only thing that kept her temper from exploding was the fact that it was all to keep her children safe. The funny thing was that before this she’d often sent several days in a row at home, busy with her family, and never thought twice about it. But being told she had to was driving her nuts.

Richie watched his wife wander around the back yard and his heart went out to her. He knew the stress of knowing Jasmine was still out there, wanting her out of the way, was taking its toll on her.  She was trying to put up a brave, and slightly angry, front, but he knew underneath it was more than a fragment of fear. He just wished he knew some way to help her. But the only thing that would make her feel better would be to find Jasmine and make sure she could never hurt them again. Come on Mike, hurry up and find the crazy bitch!

A plaintive cry behind him, urged him to open the door. “Angel! Zachary’s hungry!”

Lifting her head, Tori waved to show she heard him and started for the house.

After lunch, Tori looked at her watch, then at Rob. “Zachary and Lauren have doctors’ appointments in an hour.”

Rob nodded. “I’ll  grab the coats.”

Rob caught Lauren as she came running into the Doctor’s waiting room. “Whoa there kiddo. Wait for Mommy.”

“Thanks.” Tori puffed as she rushed to catch up, Zachary in his carrier, in one hand, diaper bag in the other. Stevie had stayed home with Richie.

“Unnh!”

“Yes Sweetpea, we’re going home now.”

Rob picked the little girl up and escorted all of them out to the car, his watchful gaze scanning the area. When he noticed Tori watching him, he smiled reassuringly. “No out of control cars cruising the parking lot.”

Tori snorted, but smiled back and fastened Zachary’s carrier into its base. When Lauren was buckled in, she climbed behind the wheel and glanced at her bodyguard. “What do you think about taking the long way home and going by the beach?”

“Need a little fresh air and open spaces?” Rob guessed.

She just shrugged.

He’d spent enough time around her  now to have an idea how much she resented the restrictions she was being forced to live with, so he was happy to be able to agree to her request. “That sounds nice.”

There wasn’t much traffic on the coastal road she chose so she slowed down and opened the windows, enjoying the breeze that brought the scents of sand and sea inside. At a flat, open spot, she pulled over and stopped. Closing her eyes, she let go of every thought and just focussed on the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore.

Rob watched her take deep breaths. With the release of each one, the lines of stress around her eyes and mouth eased. Yes, this little cruise was just what she needed. “You like the beach, don’t you.”

Tori smiled and answered even though his tone was more of a statement than a question. “Yes. It’s my favourite part of living here. When the kids get older I’d like to talk to Richie about moving to Malibu so I can see and hear the ocean. I find the sound of the waves very soothing.” She sighed. “But we’d better get home before Richie starts to worry. Plus it’s just about nap time.”

Pulling out, she pointed the car towards home. The road she turned onto had a hilly section so she slowed down a little. On a particularly steep descent, she touched the brake.

And nothing.

Frowning, she pushed harder. Her foot went right to the floor with no resistance. As the car’s speed increased, so did her anxiety. “There’s something wrong with the brakes!”

Rob had been watching the buildings and people they’d been passing on the tree lined street, but at her words, his head spun towards her. “What do you mean?”

“They’re not working!” She pumped them several times, all with no effect. “Nothing!”

The car continued to accelerate.  And so did her panic. She didn’t wonder how or why, all she could think about were her children in the back seat and prayed they wouldn’t get hurt.

The buildings on either side of the street became blurs of grey and beige with the odd splash of red and black. If there were people on the sidewalks, she couldn’t see them.

As they approached an intersection, Tori held her breath and laid on the horn, warning drivers and pedestrians alike to stay out of her way.  The next one was a stop light – thankfully green for her. But she knew that her luck couldn’t hold out forever. “Rob?”

“Stay calm Tori, you’re doing great. Just a couple more streets. We’re almost at the bottom, then the car will slow down on its own.”

Tori nodded and tightened her grip on the wheel, praying he was right.  The next light was also green, and she was beginning to think they’d make it. Please, please, please....FUCK!

Just as they reached the last intersection – and the bottom of the hill – a lady pushing a stroller stepped out onto the road. Tori had no time to think. She reacted instinctively, seeking to cause the least amount of harm possible. “Hang on!”

She jerked the wheel to the side, sending the SUV careening off the pavement, over the curb and sidewalk, finally coming to an abrupt halt when it met a tree. Her last thought was for the safety of her children, then her world went black.

Tori opened her eyes and blinked at the bright sunlight coming through the window.  A quick glance around the room told her she was in a hospital, but the reason why didn’t immediately come to her.

“Angel? Are you awake?” Richie anxiously leaned over the bed.

She turned towards the familiar voice. As she stared into dark worried eyes, it all came back to her. She grabbed his hand, tried to sit up and gasped at the pain the movement caused. “The kids? Rob?”

“Easy angel, relax. Everyone’s okay. In fact, they’re in better shape than you are.” He stroked her hair back from her forehead. “How do you feel?”

“Like I ran into a tree.” She shifted trying to find a more comfortable position. “What’s the damage?”

“You’ve got bruises from your seatbelt and the airbag, and a cracked rib and strained ankle from the impact with the tree.” He blew out a breath. “It could have been a lot worse.” He wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her or himself.

“Well, that explains a lot.” She squeezed his hand. “But Zachary and Lauren are okay?  They weren’t hurt?”

“They’re just fine.”  Rob assured her as he entered the room, Lauren in one arm, Zachary in the other. “I brought them in so you could see them before I took them home.”

“Thank you. Are you alright?” Tori pushed the button to raise the bed and held her arms out for the children.

“Yes, I’m fine. A few scratches, but nothing serious.” He set Lauren down beside her mother and held the carrier while Richie took Zachary out and put him in her arms. He gave Richie an awed look. “Your wife’s a hell of a driver!”

“Thank God!” Tori hugged the kids close, but her eyes locked with Rob’s, ignoring his comment about her driving skills. “Have you had a chance to check the car over and figure out what happened?”

Rob hesitated, not wanting to scare her further, but he couldn’t keep it a secret from them. “It looks like the brake lines were cut.” He looked at Richie. “With a knife or some other sharp implement.”

Richie glanced at his wife, then back to Rob. “Jasmine?”

Rob shrugged. “I can’t say for sure, but...”

“But how? When?” Tori frowned. “The car’s always in the garage. She can’t get at it.”

“Except when you go out.” Rob pointed out. “If she’s following you, she’d just wait until you parked somewhere and left the car.”

Tori thought about her schedule the last few days. “Like the doctor’s office this afternoon?”

“Yeah.” Rob nodded. “Probably.”

Tori’s eyes filled with tears of frustration. “When will this end? Will someone please stop her!”

“The police will be by soon to take your statement.” Richie rubbed her back, trying to comfort her.

She snorted. “For all the good it will do.” She looked at Rob again. “Is Mike getting anywhere with finding her?”

“He’s working on it. After what happened today, he’s calling in more help to try and speed things up.”

Two hours later, in New Jersey, Jon hung up the phone after being assured his sister and the kids were okay. Fighting the urge to punch a wall, he growled and picked up the phone again.

“Mike? It’s Jon. I want this bitch’s address.”

“We’re getting closer. I’ve got all my men on it and have called in favours. It won’t be long now. Especially since we know she’s still in the LA area. We’ll find her.”

“When you do, I want you to call me with the address.....and then get your people out of the area.”

Mike’s curiosity urged him to ask what Jon had planned, but his saner self warned him that it was probably better that he not know. “Understood. Will do.”

Chapter 55

The next morning Richie clipped the leash onto Taffy’s collar. “Come on girl, let’s go for a walk.”

As they neared the gate, Taffy found something lying against the iron. Stepping closer Richie saw what looked like a hunk of some sort of material. He looked closer and realized it was a rag doll with dark curly hair and blue eyes and.... “Taffy leave it.”

The doll’s eyes had been blacked out with big Xs and there were multiple tears in the torso. To his untrained eye they looked like they were caused by a knife. He picked it up to have a closer look and found a piece of paper attached to the doll’s back.

I hope you enjoyed your family holiday bitch. It’ll be the last one you ever share with him!

“Fuck!” Richie closed his eyes. Despite Tori’s close call in the parking lot, he’d really hoped that Jasmine had gone away. Evidently, she wasn’t giving up that easily....and obviously Tori was definitely now the target. “What are we going to do Taffy? Do we tell her or hide it?”

“Woof! Woof woof!”

“I know. If...okay, when she finds out about it, my ass is in a sling for not telling her.” Richie sighed. “She’s going to be pissed.”

“Woof!”

When they arrived back at the house it was to find it in mild chaos. Lauren was crying, Tori and Rosa were calling out to each other, and Cathy ran by with an armload of towels.

“Richie, where’s the valve to turn the water in the bathroom off?”

Hearing that, Richie set down the doll and rushed to the downstairs bathroom where he found Tori ankle deep in water, industriously working a plunger in the toilet.

“What happened?”

Tori glanced at him and blew a strand of hair out of her eye. “Ask your oldest son.”

“Peanut?” He looked around. “Where is he?”

“Hiding in the kitchen.” Rosa answered as she returned with another pot that she tried to scoop water up with.

“Richie!  The water!” Tori had to holler at her husband when he started to turn away.

“Right. Sorry.”

They got the water stopped, but Tori still couldn’t get what was plugging the toilet out. Richie took the plunger from her and tried for a few minutes, but he didn’t have any better luck. Finally he grimaced and knelt beside the bowl, rolling up his shirt sleeve.

“I hope this is something other than what usually goes in here.”

“Oh I think that’s a safe bet.” Tori assured him.

Richie reached in. His fingers touched....something, but he couldn’t grab it. He moved closer and bent down further, stretching as far as he could. Now he could grab whatever it was, but it wasn’t easy to pull out. It took several minutes of twisting and tugging before it finally came loose. Richie looked at it and started to chuckle while he squeezed water out of the synthetic fur.

“Well, that explains why Sweetpea’s crying. Guess he couldn’t wait for Taffy to destroy it.” He held up the soaked Elmo for Tori to see.

She shook her head and looked at him in horror. “Are we going to have sibling rivalry going in two directions now?” She closed her eyes and groaned. “I don’t think I can handle it. Why can’t they just stay babies?”

“Don’t fall apart on me now angel. We’ll survive it.” Richie ignored the rest of her rant and studied the toy. “And I don’t think that this was a rivalry thing.”

“No? Then what was it?” She looked around at the disaster area that used to be a tidy bathroom. “Fun? Or just to drive me nuts?”

“I’m not sure. But I bet he’s got a story.” At her look he shrugged. “I remember some of the stuff I came up with as a child.”

“Great.” She rolled her eyes. “Boys!”

He grinned at her sarcasm. “Should we put it in the dryer?”

“Are there washing instructions on it?”

“I don’t see any. Maybe that’s why he put it in the toilet.”

“Ha ha.” Tori sighed. “Maybe if we put it on low. I don’t think Sweetpea’s going to wait until it dries on its own.” She reached for a towel. “Let’s get this cleaned up.”

With the bathroom cleaned up, Tori followed Richie into the kitchen and sat down at the table where Stevie was running his Tonka trucks over the wooden surface. Big blue eyes filled with tears as he watched his parents settle into the chairs beside him. “I sorry!”

Richie set the now partially dry Elmo on the table. “Why did you put Elmo in the toilet?”

“Him wanted to go simmin but I couldn’t open de door.”

“So you flushed him?” Tori was trying to grasp his logic.

Stevie nodded. “So him could go outside.” He frowned. “But him got stuck and I couldn’t get him out.” His eyes widened. “And den the water was....all ober de froor.” He met his father’s gaze. “Him too big to fit. Need bigger hole.”

Richie’s lips twitched, then twisted into a wince as pain shot up his shin where his wife’s foot connected. The look in her eyes promised more pain if he laughed, so he bit his lip and fought to keep a sober expression. But it was hard. The logic was understandable. It sounded so much like something he would have done.

Another nudge from his wife spurred him into action. Clearing his throat, he tried to sound appropriately parental. “Do me a favour Peanut? Next time you want to flush something outside...or see if it fits in the toilet, check with Mommy or me first. Okay?”

“Okay Daddy.” A second later both parents were forgotten as the truck continued on its path across the table.

Tori shook her head and looked to Rosa for help....and was met with a sympathetic look – and a grin. No help there.

A second later, Taffy bounded into the kitchen and skidded to a halt beside Tori.

“What have you got Taffy?” Tori bent to take the hunk of material out of the dog’s mouth.

Richie watched her study the doll, his stomach knotting in dread and waited for her reaction. He had a feeling it wasn’t going to be pretty. Should have hidden the damn thing.

“What the....” With a glance at her son, she bit back her temper. Instead, she stood and headed towards the door to the garage, out of earshot of kids, the look she threw her husband over her shoulder said she expected him to follow.

He didn’t want to go, but he knew it would only be worse if he didn’t. Closing the door carefully behind him, he faced her and braced himself.

“What the hell is this? Where did Taffy get it?”

“We found it by the gate when I took her for a walk.”

Tori had been reading the note attached to the doll again, but looked up at that, her hands trembling. “She was here?  SHE WAS AT MY FUCKING HOUSE??!!”

“She didn’t get inside the gate.” He assured her. “It was locked and the doll was on the outside.”

“Where the fuck was the security guard?”

“Angel, calm down. We...”

“CALM DOWN?  THE CRAZY PSYCHOPATHIC BITCH THAT STOLE OUR SON WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN? Is that how you plan to protect your family?”

“Tori stop it!” Now he was getting pissed. “We talked about security and agreed that with the gate and the alarm system on the house we didn’t need guards around property. You agreed to that. Don’t accuse me of not protecting my family!”

Tori closed her eyes and visibly fought to bring her temper under control. She took a deep breath. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just....” She looked down at the note again. “She’s not going to go away is she?”

“Doesn’t look like it.” Richie reluctantly admitted.

Tori was quiet for a moment. “She hates me. She really wants me out of the way.”

Wrapping his arms around her, he gathered her close. “We’re not going to let her hurt you. We’ll call Rob and show him the doll, and see what he suggests.” Framing her face between his large hands, he forced her to look at him. “We’ll find her and stop her. You and the kids will be safe. I promise.” He pressed a kiss to her lips to seal his vow. “Okay?”

Tori nodded, slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him close, her face pressed to his chest, the sound of his heart beating steadily under her ear somehow reassuring. She knew that he would fight to his last breath to keep that vow.

Her expression turned to determination and she made a silent vow of her own. We will be safe. I won’t let the bitch win. She will leave us alone....one way or another.