Bad Seed

“Jack's your son?” she asked, studying my face. “You're Crystal?”

I looked to Declan, not sure what to say. I hadn't given this much thought and was completely caught flat-footed by the question. Thankfully, he jumped in and finished for me.

“Yeah, this is Crystal, Jack's mother,” he said. “She's cleaned herself up. We've worked things out, and we'd like to get our son back.”

Meredith looked at me, then Declan, a frown pulling the corners of her mouth down, as if she wasn't sure what to think about it all. It was time to bring out the big guns, so I busted out the fake tears. I'd done some theater back in high school and one of my biggest strengths was being able to cry on command, so I used it to its full advantage.

“Meredith, you're a mother, right?” I sobbed.

“I am,” she said. “I have three kids.”

“Then, you understand how tough it can be. Especially as a new mom, and I'm only twenty-three,” I said, letting the large crocodile tears flow down my cheeks. “I freaked out and gave my son to Declan when I was feeling overwhelmed, but now I realize what a mistake it was. I didn't want to be a single mom. I honestly didn't think I could cut it and wanted the best for my son. But, Declan and I – we can work this out. We deserve to be a family, don't you think?”

I wiped my eyes and sniffed loudly. Declan just stared at me, almost in shock. I could see that he was also impressed by my little performance. “I do understand, but I can't just hand him over to you,” Meredith said. “Not without Killian's permission.”

“He's my son, Meredith,” I said. my voice growing firmer. “And Declan is his father. If we called the police right now, we could accuse you of kidnapping. Do you really want to make a spectacle like that in front of our children? In front of your neighbors?”

The look on sweet Meredith's face changed. Her eyes grew wide and she looked terrified. She glanced back over her shoulder, and I saw a little girl walking down the hallway toward us, a big, bright smile on her face. She had everything a little girl could want – a nice home and a mother who loved her. The girl obviously wanted for nothing and was given the world on a silver platter. She still had her innocent view of the world where everything was perfect. Maybe seeing her mom hauled away in cuffs would shatter that innocence. I didn't want it to go down that way, but if it meant getting out of there alive and unscathed, I'd do it.

Meredith must have seen that resolve in my eyes too, because she turned and said, “Fine. He's sleeping upstairs but let me go get him.”

She went to shut the door, but Declan held it open again. Meredith didn't argue. We stepped inside the home. I looked at all of the family photos that lined the wall inside, once again, feeling that pang of jealous shoot through me.

I looked at the photos and saw Meredith, with her fiery red hair, surrounded by three red-headed children and Killian at her side. With his good looks and polished smile, he looked like the perfect father. It was hard to believe he was the head of a violent crime family. Oh, if only his wife knew about what her husband really did, it would shatter their perfect world into a million little pieces.

As much as I might have wanted to ruin Killian's life, the little girl in front of me continued to smile, making it impossible for me to actually go through with it. This girl shouldn't have to endure that. Her life shouldn't be blown apart and she shouldn't be made to suffer for the sins of her father.

“You're Jack's mom?” she asked, giving me a grin that showed she was missing two of her front teeth.

“I am,” I continued to lie.

“He's such a cute little baby,” she said. “Please tell me he'll be back to visit us?”

A lump formed in my throat and a nervous tremor passed through my belly knowing that wouldn't be possible. Once we left that house, they likely wouldn't ever see their cousin again.

“He will,” I said. “Of course he will.”

Declan walked slowly up the steps, his head cocked listening. I knew he could hear something and the dark look that crossed his face told me that whatever it was, it wasn't good.

“What is it?” I asked.

He shook his head, silencing me with a look. He continued up the stairs, moving softly and quietly and before he reached the top, he bounded the last few steps in a run. I followed behind, unsure of what was happening until we made it to the top.

Meredith was standing there with the phone pressed to her ear, and when she saw us coming through the doorway, a look of panic crossed her face and she dropped it. We were standing in the nursery, with Jack sleeping in a crib nearby.

“You called Killian, didn't you?” Declan said.

“I did,” she said. “He asked me to. I had to, Declan.”

I walked toward the crib, looking down at the sleeping baby, but Meredith stepped in between me and the child.

“I know you're not Crystal,” she said, her voice was calm and somehow sounded different – less innocent. “I've met Crystal before, remember, Declan?”

No one said anything for a long moment. We all just stood there staring at each other, but the dark tension in the room was ramping up. It felt like the air as the clouds rolled in, just before a violent storm broke. The air around us was charged with electricity. Declan grabbed hold of Meredith's arms, pulling her away from the crib. The woman started to scream for help, but he put his hand over her mouth and held her tight against his body.

“Grab the baby,” he said to me.

I stepped up to the crib and stared down at the child. His eyes were open now, looking up at me, as he started to whimper.