* * *
Anvil
She’s worried, which I don’t want to see. I do like that when she talks about scenarios that involve leaving, she includes me in them. She wants me in her life.
“We have choices. Other places aren’t like this,” she says hopefully. “We don’t have to live on the East Coast. We could go somewhere where no one knows us and live quietly.”
It’s my turn to smile. “You think I’m suburb material?”
She laughs softly. “Not exactly. But I could see you living somewhere urban and cool. A high-rise maybe? In a new city. A fresh start?”
I like that she can imagine that. I’ve stalked the same few miles my whole life, leaving my blood on the pavement and watering patches of grass with it. I’ve been passed out drunk behind the old elementary school and rescued a girl from a college boy rapist behind Slattery’s Pub. Coynston is C’s town, but it’s mine too, in all the ways that matter. I’ve got enough money to live anywhere. But when I’ve gone other places, I could tell I didn’t belong.
“Not likely,” I say.
“Maybe if I go, I’ll be able to tempt you into coming.”
“If you go?” I shake my head. “You’re not leaving me. You’re mine now.”
Her cheeks flush, but her lips curve into a small smile. “I thought forever only applied if I got pregnant?” Her tone is light, but I know her. I’ve watched her a long time, and I know it’s a serious question.
“Give me time. I’ll get there. How long until those pills wear off?”
Her brows rise. “We’ve only spent a few nights together. That’s not a very long time.”
“Second thoughts about being with me?”
“Not exactly,” she says, her expression softening. “But...” Her brows furrow.
“What?”
“I don’t want to be locked away all the time or forced to do things I don’t want to do. I don’t want to be under my father’s thumb. Or Berto’s or his family’s out of fear. I’m tired of doing things because I’m scared that someone powerful will retaliate against me by hurting someone I love if I don’t.” She shakes her head, pushing back her hair. “And if we stay here, people won’t leave us alone. You know that.”
What I know is that she’s been trying to protect people for longer than I realized. What I know is that she’s sacrificed a lot. She’s not going to sacrifice anything else.
“I’ll bring this to a close. One way or the other,” I promise her.
