The perfect gift? What in Heaven’s name did he mean by that? She broke Ricky’s hold on her mouth for a brief second. “No, stop!” Steven winked at her and placed a hand on Nicholas’ shoulder. “It’s okay. Mommy’s just afraid you might break one of the buttons. But we’ll be careful. Right?” Nicholas looked confused, but nodded yes. Makayla tried to break free, to scream out again and tell Nicholas to run before he stepped into the car, but Ricky turned her around, his free hand striking her face. The pain spiked all the way to her toes, her lungs aching for air as she sagged against his hot sweaty body unable to find the strength to stand on her own anymore. Nicholas turned his head at the sounds. “Wait. I think that man hit my mommy.” “Ricky? No. He wouldn’t. I promise. That’s not nice. She must just be tired. Ricky will help her to the car.” Steven grinned down at Nicholas and turned him to face the opposite direction as Ricky started dragging her stiff body to the car.
