Chapter 36

"Stephanie!" Patrick ran in the house and held his youngest daughter close. "Thank God you're safe."

Her brothers were close behind him and all took turns hugging her. Jack stood on the sidelines and watched with a smile on his face. "And we will do everything in our power to keep it that way, right Steph?"

Stephanie glared at her boyfriend and it was Mal who figured out what was going on. "Oh no, Steph – I agree with Jack on this one."

"Agree with Jack on what?" Patrick was so happy his kids were safe he had missed the glares Steph and Jack were shooting each other. Jason had confirmed that Emma and Cam were safe on the SS Lila and they would be told about what was going on when they docked the next day. The jet was already on its way to Rome to bring them home.

"She wants to use herself as bait to catch Nikolas – doesn't she?" Mal directed his question to Jack, not Stephanie.

John responded instantly. "Hell no!"

"Excuse me, I am over 18. I can make my own decisions." Steph dug in her heels a little more each time someone told her no.

"Yes you can but we reserve the right to stop you when it is a dangerous and stupid decision." Jack clenched his fists in frustration. "Damn it Steph, we love you too much to let you anywhere near that madman."

Steph's heart stopped. "We love me too much?"

Jack reached over and took Steph's hands in his. "I love you too much. Please, Steph, your mom would want me to keep you safe and away from Nikolas."

Steph couldn't help but smile at him a little bit. "I love you too but…"

"Please Steph, let me protect you." There was a pleading look in Jack's eyes that broke everyone's heart. He truly did love her.

"Stephanie, I tried that years ago and it didn't work. Nikolas is going to be prepared for any tracking devices or tails you might have." John put his arm around his sister's shoulder and gave her a hug. "Just let all us keep you safe – you know that is what mom wants."

Stephanie leaned her head against her brother's chest and nodded her head. "Fine but I am not going to a safe house. I want to be here every step of the way."

"Me too." RJ stepped up next to the group. "I'm old enough to help too, even if it is only to stop my sister from doing something crazy."

Patrick felt himself relax just a little bit at the scene unfolding before him. Yes Nikolas had Robin again but his children were safe and the boys would do everything in their power to protect Stephanie. Watching the commotion going on around him, Patrick was convinced that it wouldn't be long before Robin was home and Nikolas was out of their lives for good.

Patrick was pulled out of his thoughts by the ringing of the doorbell. He walked over and answered the door. "What are you doing here?"

Jagger Cates stepped through the door. "I'm here because of Robin – I heard what happened."

Patrick was confused. There had been a total media blackout about Matt and Robin's disappearance. Tara, Rylee, Maxie and Georgie were already on their way to a safe house and the police had wanted to keep things as quiet as possible for the time being just in case there was a ransom demand. "How did you hear about what happened to Robin?"

Jack took a deep breath and spoke, never taking his eyes off of Stephanie. "Because I told him."

"I hope you are getting all settled in." Nikolas opened the door to Robin's room and smiled at her. "If you need anything, please let the guards know and they will get it for you."

"The only thing I want is take my brother-in-law and go home to our family." Robin stared out the barred window of her room. She was on the second floor of a house that stood on the edge of a bluff overlooking the ocean. "Where is Matt and why were we separated?"

"Dr. Jackson made it clear that he has some unfinished business with Matt." Nikolas walked over to Robin and put his arms around her. She stiffened in his arms but he didn't care. "He isn't allowed to kill Matt but the extent of his retribution will be up to you. You behave and do what you are told and Matt will just live with the knowledge he will never see his wife or child again. You disobey me and Terrell can perform any number of experiments on him. Are we clear?"

Robin couldn't stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. "This is blackmail – emotional blackmail. You know I could never let someone pay for my actions, not after Gabriel."

"I wouldn't have to do this if you had just married me when we planned to. You let Drake and your parents poison you against me. They stole our children and our life Robin." Nikolas's grip tightened a little bit and Robin gasped. "This time will be different – this time they won't be able to find us."

"Where are we?" Robin thought they were on an island, she could only see water on side of the house.

"Don't worry, we are someplace safe." Nikolas kissed the top of her head. "Tomorrow we start planning the wedding."

Robin shook her head. "Nikolas, I am married to Patrick…"

"In the United States you are, not here." Nikolas released her and headed towards the door. "We will be married at the end of the week and then you will move into my room with me."

Horror filled Robin as she realized what Nikolas was saying. "Nikolas, no…"

"We decided to wait for our wedding night Robin and I will honor that decision." Nikolas smiled at her one last time. "Now get some rest and we will find you a dress in the morning. If you are really good, I may even let Dr. Hunter attended the ceremony. Good night Robin."

Nikolas shut and locked the door while Robin stood at the window crying. She stared out at the water, trying to get some clarity on the situation but all she felt was hopelessness. She had no idea where she was or where they were holding Matt. She couldn't make a move without guaranteeing Matt's safety and Nikolas knew it.

She went over to the bed and laid down. She would try and gather information tomorrow when the sun came up but for now she wasn't sure what to do. All she knew now was that if she didn't figure out something soon Nikolas would finally get what he had wanted after all these years and she would be powerless to stop him.