Chapter 117-Talking In Riddles

“Where is she?”

“Sleeping right now.”

“Let her go Marisol…this isn’t about her!”

“Oh, you silly girl, but it is. I told you should you not complete your task she would be the one to do it. Now that you are unable to do as I need, she will step in for you!”

My entire body shook. I knew there was only a matter of time before Marisol reared her ugly head again. She had my baby, the one child that seemed to have the worst of it in life.

“What do you want?” Marcus asked grabbing the phone from me.

“What makes you think I want anything?”

“You wouldn’t have called otherwise. If you were going to force Cece into anything you would have done so without announcing your plans. You want something so what is it?”

There was silence on her end for a moment. “How’s the marriage?”

Marcus’ eyes met mine. “It’s fine,” he answered with a bit of edge in his voice.

“Really…you are a forgiving man then. I wonder if your wife would be as forgiving if the situation was reversed.”

“We’ll never know since she’ll never be in that situation.”

I hung my head in shame listening to him defend me. I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to make things right with us, but I was determined to try should Marcus give me the chance.

For now I needed to push those thoughts aside and focus on getting Ceula returned safely.

“Marisol, where is my daughter?”

“Let’s play a game.”

“A game!? This is my child’s life you heartless bitch! I’m not playing any games!”

Her sinister laughter rang out over the speaker. “Temper, temper girl. If you want her back whole and not in pieces, we play!”

“What is this game?” Marcus asked.

“Ah good the sensible one. I have a riddle for you. Figure it out, you can get the next clue. Maids and men walking through sand. Don’t you remember where it all began? Twenty-four hours…tick tock, tick tock.”

She disconnected the call, leaving us both confused as to what she meant. I grabbed for the phone. She had my baby and I needed her back safe and unharmed.

“Who are you calling?” that same edge was in his voice.

“Trey,” I lied. “May…maybe she’s lying and Cece is safe at home.”

With shaking hands, I quickly dialed the number to her house. It rang and rang, but no answer. I hung up and tried his cell.

“Hello.”

“Trey! Oh thank god have you heard from CeCe?”

“No, she is at some spa retreat for the weekend. Limited cell phone access. Why?”

Shit! Shit! Shit! I couldn’t tell him. Not right now. He had to look after Ashley I didn’t need him worrying.

“No…no reason. I just needed to talk to her.”

“Why didn’t you tell him?” Marcus asked after I’d hung up the phone. “He has a right to know his wife has been kidnapped!”

I looked at him, but didn’t respond. I thought back over Marisol’s riddle. What the hell did she mean? Mulo. I looked at Marcus and knew he was not an option. If I called him, my marriage was as good as over, but at the same time how could I put Marcus’ feelings over Ceula’s life?

“Amari!” Marcus yelled, getting my attention. “He needs to know.”

“What did she mean Marcus? I…I don’t know what she meant!”

My breathing became restricted, the phone fell from my hand. I started shaking, I couldn’t think. I don’t know what she meant.

“What did she mean? What did she mean?”

I felt Marcus putting his arms around me, making me sit on the ottoman.

“Baby, you need to calm down.”

“Calm down! My child is in the hands of a mad woman and she’s playing fucking games and you want me to calm down?!”

I pushed Marcus off me. I needed air. I needed help. I needed…him. I turned to look at Marcus with a heavy heart. The look on his face told me he knew what I was thinking.

“Marcus…”

“It’s him.”

“I…”

“The words she said. Don’t you remember. You danced with him at our wedding, our first wedding.”

“The beach? She has her at the beach? Oh my god Marcus!” I threw my arms around his neck, he didn’t return the embrace. “I…I have to go,” I said stepping back from him.

“And do what? You can’t handle her on your own.”

“What choice do I have? I have to go!”

He left the room and walked over to Finley’s and knocked on her door.

“We have to go out. Call Elton, he lives closest.”

“What’s going on?” she asked, looking from Marcus to me.

I waited to see if he would tell her or not. “There’s something your mom and I need to take care of.”

He gave her a kiss on the forehead then started down the steps. I gave her a quick hug before following behind Marcus. The car ride was quiet. I was nervous, wondering what we’d be walking into. 

The rain was still coming down thick and I listened to the steady rhythm of the wipers moving across the window.  That place didn’t hold the happy memories it was supposed to. I only needed to look at how tightly Marcus’ jaw was clenched to see that. Being reminded of the vows I’d made to Mulo on our wedding day was the last thing either of us needed, and I’m sure Marisol used those words for that very reason. 

I closed my eyes, the memory of the words spoken, the dance we’d shared replaying in my mind. Then I was hit with the look on Marcus’ face that day when he realized what I had done. How hurt he was. How betrayed he’d felt.

“We’re here.” His voice broke through. I wiped away a tear, pushing those thoughts away.

“Where would she have her?” I asked looking around the deserted beach.

On one of the tables I spotted balloons tied to the bench. They seemed out of place, and I started walking towards them. On the table, in a bag was Cecula’s phone. On the screen another riddle.

Wedding vows and lover’s spurned.

It was here where the truth was learned.

A/N

So in an absolute surprising turn of events, Mulo is actually in the lead on the poll. I honestly expected Marcus to be the fan favorite by a land slide! I guess Mulo has more undercover fans than I knew. 

As of today:

Mulo 41

Marcus 32

Undecided 7