Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 144 -

Весса.

Ever since the conversation I had with Neal two days ago, I couldn't stop thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong with staying here in New Zealand. This place was supposed to be my happy home, my forever home with my children, my father, and my stepmother.

I was an idiot to think my life would be normal. Even now, while I stood here listening to Neal and Allegra bicker over what the best move was even after added security was placed on the house, I couldn't help but feel more aggravated. My dad had still not noticed. The day everything kicked off, I had surprised them that night with round-trip tickets to Australia. The last-minute trip threw up red flags, but I told them it was only for a few days because when they got back, I was going to need their help with some things around my house.

It wasn't the truth, but it seemed to hold them over.

At least for now.

"I just don't see what the problem is, Neal," Allegra snapped with her hands on her hips. This was the hundredth time she had made that statement today, and if Neal wasn't getting annoyed with it, I sure as hell was.

"I told you to stop trying to control things and let me deal with it," he replied with just as much irritation as she had given him. They had been arguing the last twenty minutes on the best course of action, and yet, we hadn't come up with anything.

Layla had heard the issue the other day when Neal and I were talking in the kitchen. I hadn't realized she was present, but when we noticed her, she said nothing and went back to the children. I understood if she didn't want to stay around and be part of this, but losing her would be hard.

It wasn't that I needed her to take care of the children, but she had become like family to me, and seeing her go would be difficult.

"Look, as much as I want to know what's going on, I don't have time to keep listening to your bitching. This is beyond ridiculous."

Standing from where I was sitting, I sighed and made my way toward the kitchen to put my glass in the sink. Neal was on his feet the moment I had moved, and with soft shuffling feet, I heard him behind me. "Becca-"

"Neal, don't. There is much to be done, and we need to figure that out instead of arguing amongst each other," I replied quietly before turning my attention and gaze back to him. "Have you been able to locate them?" Taking a moment, he shook his head. "No, I have no idea where Xavier went."

A feeling of nausea and emptiness filled my stomach at his words. I had hoped they had found him or something. Then we could have told the police to go in and arrest him. Yet, I don't know why I didn't realize that would only be wishful thinking.

"Then the children and I need to get somewhere safe until you do."

As much as I didn't want to leave, I knew how important it was that I did. It wasn't just my safety anymore I had to worry about. It was the children's as well, and to think something bad could happen to them all because I didn't want to leave was unimaginable.

"You want to leave?" Neal questioned my statement as if he was surprised I came to that conclusion. "I will support you if you do."

"Neal, it isn't like I have a choice." The scoffed remark made him and Allegra both sigh. Turning his gaze towards his sister, he watched as she threw up her hands and shrugged her shoulders-some untold conversation going on between them like there always was.

"I have a place you can go to. A place on the island where you will be safe from prying eyes. At least until we figure this all out," Neal said.

An island home with two small children, and chaos brewing... why not? Not like anything else could go f*cking wrong.

******

Neal.

I had purchased the small home on the seaside after we first moved here as a possible getaway vacation spot for Becca and me. However, when things went sideways for us, I took it as a place I may have to move to in order to have a place to live.

Considering it was very clear Becca didn't want to be with me. Not that I blamed her, honestly. After everything that had happened lately, all I did was complicate things that shouldn't have been complicated. "Seriously?" she muttered, placing her hands on her hips. "Another secret?"

"Look, I'm trying to help. The place was supposed to be a vacation getaway for you and me after you had the baby. I bought it for you, Becca... however, when things fell out, I realized it wasn't going to be used for that, and I'd figure something else out."

Taken aback by my admission, she stood stunned with her mouth partly open. There were no words for her, and I didn't expect there to be. I had told her something I never intended to tell her. Something I had kept private, even from my sister. Taking a risk, I moved towards her and let my hands lay upon her upper arms as I stared down into those beautiful eyes I had been captivated by from the moment I laid eyes on her. "I am sorry I have disappointed you over the past few months, but know I do care, and this place is safe and registered under a name no one will look for."

With my words, I felt like the tension quickly eased between us. No longer was there hatred and anger. Instead, there was immense sadness as tears slowly welled in her eyes but refused to fall.

"Don't end up doing something stupid that results in getting you killed. You may be a pain in the ass, but you're my pain in the ass, and I don't want to see harm come to you, Neal."

Chuckling, I nodded my head. "Yes, ma'am. Now, why don't we get things packed, and tomorrow we can head there? They won't be stupid enough to come close to the property here with how highly guarded its become. At least not right now."

"Okay, make the arrangements, and we can go. How far of a drive is it in case I need to get things we forget?"

Her question was naive, but smiling at her, I shook my head. "Take everything, Becca. There are no roads where we are going."

"No roads? What the hell do you mean there are no roads?" The laughter that escaped her as she began pulling a piece of paper and a pen out to jot down everything that needed to be taken made a smirk cross my lips.

"I mean, the only way there is by boat or seaplane. Which is good because, like I said, the last thing they will suspect is I would take you somewhere like that."

Her eyes glanced at Allegra before turning back to me. A moment of processing ran through her facial features before she sighed. "Okay then... by sea we go."

"I will admit you're taking this a lot better than I thought you were going to."

Allegra had a point; Becca was taking this really well.

"It isn't like I have a choice. I have a lot to do before we can leave and not exactly enough time to do it." Just like any other woman that I knew, Becca had things she needed to get done before she could leave. It wasn't like I could say no to her, so nodding my head, she quickly finished writing down what she needed to and then disappeared.

I was left with the urge to follow her and try to make sure that she was okay, but Allegra grabbed my arm, and as I turned to face her, she gave me a small smile. "Everything's going to be okay."

Her reassuring statement didn't make me feel any better. I was stuck in a place where I didn't know if I was coming or going, and I felt like a failure. I had been the bad guy for a while now, and while I didn't believe I was doing anything to harm anybody in the long run, I was.

"I'm going to have to call him and tell him to come get her." I didn't have to say the name of the person I was referring to because my sister knew exactly who I was talking about.

James needed to be the one to keep her safe because, honestly, I couldn't. Not with all the people after me. If Becca stayed with me, things were going to become even more complicated, and she would get hurt because these guys were not like the others. These guys were much more ruthless and out for blood.

"Are you sure that's going to be the best thing?" she whispered, her eyes darting towards the hallway as if she was expecting Becca to pop around the corner, having listened to our conversation.

I knew Becca wasn't standing there, though. She had gone down the hallway and was busy preparing to move to this safe place I had for her. A place I would venture to her with but wouldn't end up staying there.

At least for not long.

"I'm sure. He was never meant to be away from her for long, and she was never meant to live this life without him. I've come to realize that and understand it and respect it, and you need to do the same. In the end, they can fix whatever it is they need to between them. But for now, she needs to get to safety, and I need to make a phone call."

"Okay, If you think this is the right choice, then, of course, I will stand behind whatever decision you make. I am curious, though. Her dad and stepmom will be back in a few days. What are they going to do?" She made a valid point I hadn't considered before.

Taking a moment to think about that situation, only one plausible answer came to me. "We'll just have to have them go out to the island as well. Why don't you go ahead and talk to Becca? Let her know so that way she can let them know." Allegra didn't bother to argue with me any further. She let her grip on my arm go and nodded her head before turning and heading down the hallway in the same direction Becca had gone.

As much as my pride had gotten the best of me lately, I had to give up on it and know this was for the best. Her being with James was for the best.

She wasn't going to be entirely happy about the situation.