“I don’t have things,” I tell him, which is the truth. I’ve been wearing Lance’s oversized clothes for weeks now, because he refuses to buy me anything, saying people will be suspicious.
I follow Brock to his truck, looking back at the cabin one last time, because I’m sure I’ll never see it again.
“Why are you driving me?” I ask as we make our way down the mountain.
“Because I can ensure your safety.”
“How so?”
“Have you ever heard of the name Davenport?”
While I’m sure several people share that last name, there is one notable family that comes to mind.
“Davenport Industries?”
“The one and only.”
The Davenports make at least as much as the Rossi’s, though their line goes back centuries.
“What’s going to happen to me?”
“I haven’t been told, but you’re not to come to any harm, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Over the last few months, I’ve wondered what my fate would be. Obviously, Mateo wants our baby, as it’s the key to his inheritance. But what comes after that? Will he kill me? Have me tortured? Lock me away in a prison?
Perhaps today I’ll find out.
“Why today, after so long?”
“It took your husband a while and a lot of research to find out what he was up against.”
“Somehow, I doubt he’s prepared.”
Ignoring what I said, he pulls into the parking lot of a diner named Dotties. “Let’s get this over with.”
We go inside, and I immediately notice several men in black suits seated around the diner. Then, I notice my mother seated across from my husband.
Mother nods over to me and Mateo looks over his shoulder and smiles.
Is that joy I see in his eyes?
It can’t be.
Brock pushes me toward the table. Knowing I have no choice, I obey.
Mateo gets up, wraps his arms around me, and plants a kiss on my cheek.
I pull away, confused.
“Is that how you treat your husband after months apart?” Mateo chastises.
When I say nothing, he gestures for me to sit.
We settle into the table as Brock sits far away, facing us. Mother smiles at me, but I can tell she’s terrified.
“I took the liberty of ordering for you,” Mateo says.
“Thank you,” I reply, my stomach turning when I see the burger and fries.
