Waiting for Romeo (36 page)
Authors: Diane Mannino
Logan looks at me. “No. It’s fine…come in.” I say.
“I’ll make it quick. I just wanted to give you an update. How are you feeling, Emilia?” She’s in her dark blue police uniform, a drastic change from her usual everyday attire. I feel like I’ve stepped onto the set of a crime show. The reality of everything that has happened still hasn’t sunk in and part of me feels like I’m stuck in a very bad dream.
“Better. Thanks.” I smile. I’m exhausted but I want to hear what she has to say so I keep that to myself.
Logan turns so he faces the detective but remains seated on the edge of the bed beside me. He takes my hand in his and when he pauses a moment, glancing at me, I think he notices the change but he doesn’t say anything. He smiles at me and then turns his attention to Detective Fernandez.
“What did you find out?” He asks.
“This is what we know…” She pulls out her notepad and glances at it briefly. “Dr. Seth Milton aka Michael Hughes is on parole after serving eight years for child molestation and incest of his twelve-year-old daughter, Jenna.
I frown. “Child molestation? He raped her.”
“I’m sure you’re right, Emilia.” She says, softly. “Sometimes the charges are changed when the victim is a minor…because someone so young is prone to exaggeration and may not remember everything exactly…it depends from case to case…state to state. I haven’t read everything about the case but from what I did read it sounds like Jenna got scared. She said some of it she had made up and what she really wanted was her family to stay together.” She sighs and then adds. “You don’t have to tell me that it sucks…believe me…I know.”
“But how could he change his identity like that? I don’t understand.” Logan asks.
“Unfortunately it happens.” She shakes her head in disgust. “There are convicted murderers who actually change their name while they’re still in prison. In a nutshell they simply fill out a form from the BDM, the registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, and lie that they have no convictions.”
“How does the legal system allow that?” Logan says, angrily.
“There are guidelines that state who and under what circumstances you can change your name, but there’s a legal loophole allowing criminals to get away with it. The Attorney-General is working on a new law where prisoners and parolees would have to get approval from their supervisor to change their names.” She pauses a beat and then continues. “The law does make it harder for sex offenders…they have to get written approval from the police commissioner to change their name. But there are always cracks in any system and somehow if the bad guys find a crack, they figure out a way to get through it.”
“That’s awful.” I say, quietly. “It makes some sense though…now I understand why he didn’t seem like a teacher…he isn’t one.”
Detective Fernandez nods in disgust.
“Do you know anything more about Jenna and her mom?” I ask. I can’t help but wonder if my support would have helped her from not being so scared.
“No. She filed for divorce and they sold the house in Virginia. My guess is they moved out of state.” Detective Fernandez quickly looks down at her notepad.
“Have you arrested him yet? Do you know where he is?” Logan asks. His expression is full of concern.
“Unfortunately no…but it won’t be long. His photo was on file in the Human Resources Department at the university so now it’s in every police station, bus station, train station, and airport. He won’t be going anywhere except for back to prison in the very near future.”
“I hope you’re right.” Logan says what I’m thinking.
There’s another soft knock on the door as a nurse pops her head in the room.
“I was just leaving.” Detective Fernandez stands. “I’ll keep you posted.” She turns and heads out the door with the nurse.
Without a word, Logan takes off his shoes and socks then slides into bed beside me.
“These beds are surprisingly big.” He says as he carefully wraps his arm around me and kisses my forehead gently. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He reaches into his pocket and then opens his hand, revealing the silver heart locket necklace with my mom’s picture in it.
“Oh my God.” I breathe. My hand instinctively reaches for my neck because I’m never without it. “I remember feeling it tight against my neck when I was trying to fight him off. It was when he put that horrible rag over my mouth and nose. I don’t really remember exactly what happened.”
I take the necklace in my hand and open the locket. Looking at the photo of my mom, I can feel the tears surfacing in my eyes.
“She’d be so proud of you, Emilia.” Logan leans and kisses me gently on the lips.
I sigh. “I’m so glad you found it.”
“I can’t take credit. Chloe found it. She wanted me to give it to you when you woke.” He says, softly. “The chain is broken so I need to get it fixed, but I wanted you to know so you wouldn’t think it was lost.” He holds out his hand and I place the necklace back in it.
“Thank you.” I say as he returns the necklace to his pocket and then resumes his earlier position with his arms gently wrapped around me.
“Hm. I can’t tell you how good this feels…to be in your arms.” I gaze up at him.
“Are you really serious about going to New York?” He brushes my hair off my shoulder and kisses me again.
“Yes. Why? You don’t want to go?” I blink up at him.
“I just got you back, baby. I want you to rest, take it easy.” He breathes.
“I will…in New York. Besides don’t you want to see your family? We can tell them the news in person.” I say, hoping he understands the meaning.
He looks into my eyes. “Are you saying? I wasn’t sure if I was just confused…did you move the ring to your other hand because…” He gazes at me with a look of bemusement.
“Yes. I want to marry you.” I whisper.
He smiles and pulls me a little closer to him as he kisses me softly on the lips. “I love you, Emilia. I knew you were my future the minute I met you, but these last few weeks you were so reluctant when I gave you the ring. What happened to you thinking we’re too young and have so much time ahead of us?”
“I changed my mind when I thought I’d never see you again.” I sigh. “You’re right, Logan. Why wait? I don’t want to waste anymore time…we should just do it and enjoy the ride.”
He kisses me softly on the lips again. “Emilia Prescott.” He grins. “I like the sound of that.”
“I
love
the sound of that.” I smile back at him. “So, hopefully New York tomorrow?”
He gently runs his fingers along my cheek. “Whatever you want, but do you remember what you promised the doctor?”
“Yes. I said I’d rest…I will…” I murmur.
“No…not that part.” He smirks at me.
I stare into his eyes, puzzled.
“You promised him you’d
stay in bed
.”
I smile. “Oh, that part. That definitely won’t be a problem, Mr. Prescott.”
“I love you, Emilia. Thank you for coming back to me.” He caresses my cheek gently and kisses me again.
“I love you, too Logan. Thank you for
waiting
for me.” I nuzzle into his chest.
“Always…now and forever.” Logan whispers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I always planned on writing a sequel to “Running from Romeo,” but I honestly can tell you I wasn’t sure if I’d ever finish it. This book was written with the encouragement and support from several people in my life, some new and some old, and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you to all of the amazing bloggers who not only read “Running from Romeo,” but took the time to write thoughtful and encouraging reviews that truly inspired me to push through writing the sequel. Your support and kind words meant the world to me! I want to especially thank Kimberly Brower, Carla Nobrega, Elicia Cheah, Barbara Brown, Rebecca Alora, Nina Lagula, Anasheh Satoorian, Amber Hodges, Joy Cheery, and Cindi Clubbs. You gals gave me the hope that people care as much as I do about the story of Emilia and Logan and for that I can’t thank you enough!
Friends… Thank you to Mae Sinkowitz, Nikki Hannum, Kathleen Abbott, Karen Horner, Jackie Walsh, Marianne Shriver, and Erika Soqui for reading and trying to be somewhat objective despite knowing the author so well. You all are the best group of cheerleaders a girl could ever ask for!
I’d also like to give a shout out to Damon, for making yet, another gorgeous cover. You are an insanely talented cover artist! Thank you also to Benjamin Carrancho for making my words look so good on the page :)
Thank you to my lovely copy editor, Carrie Gaier! You were simply wonderful for offering to help me with editing my book. It was definitely fate that day when you were correcting a pile of papers on “Romeo and Juliet” and I told you about my story. I can’t thank you enough for carefully reading and finding the errors my exhausted brain missed… especially all those commas! Two words: You Rock! It’s an honor to have you in my life.
Thanks to my mom and dad from being the most supportive parents in the entire world. Your support and encouragement mean so much. Mom, your supportive calls and encouraging words are awesome… even when you were simply suggesting types of Chardonnays. Dad, I never thought I’d hear these words from you: “You need more sex in the sequel.” The fact that you even read a YA/NA/Romance novel amazes me, but your enthusiastic advice made this journey even more fulfilling!
Thanks to Nancy, Steve, Jimmy, Amy, The Clark Family, and The Palladino Family… your sweet encouragement and belief in me made me smile!
Olivia, you’re an amazing runner, but an even more amazing young lady! Thank you for helping me with the running tidbits and for being such a wonderful fan of my book. Ella, thank you for being you… always with a smile and a supportive hug. I’m truly blessed to have such awesome and gifted daughters. I can’t thank you enough for your endless patience, encouragement and understanding while mom was chained to the computer for hours on end. You’re beautiful inside and out and I’m so incredibly thankful for you both!
Thank you, Mark, for taking care of the girls and me… grocery shopping, cooking, driving the girls to various activities so I could research and write. Thank you for dealing with my mood swings… yes, I admit I had some… as well as your incredible support. I love you and couldn’t ask for a better Romeo!
Last, but certainly not least thank you to all of the amazing readers out there! You all took a chance on an unknown author and read my book. Thank you for all your messages on facebook, twitter, and goodreads. You seriously made my day whenever I heard from you and I was completely blown away by your enthusiasm! You guys rock and I can’t thank you enough for being so amazing.
Please continue to write reviews… I love hearing from you all, good or bad, because it just helps me grow as a writer :)
Also, follow me on Twitter @DianeMannino23 or message me on Facebook: Running from Romeo, Waiting for Romeo, on Goodreads or on my website at www.dianemannino.com.
THANK YOU ALL…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Alex Kruk
DIANE MANNINO graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in English Literature. She is a former writer for
Museum and Arts Washington
and
Star Magazine
as well as several television shows, including,
Inside Edition
,
American Journal
, and
E! News Daily
. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two beautiful daughters.
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