“I can’t tell you.” I breathed deeply. “The less you know the better.”
“Christ,” she grumbled. “You sound like the damn mafia.”
“He’s not quite the mafia, but close. Look, get in your car and drive. Don’t look back. I’ll stop e-mailing you for your own safety.”
“Like witness protection.” Beth didn’t sound amused. “Maybe you should call the feds and give this guy up. Start a new life. New name, identity.”
“I wish I could.”
“Christ,” Beth said again. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“It is, honey. Now please go.”
“I will. My sister lives in a big city. Maybe I’ll find a girlfriend up there.”
“I know you will. I love you.”
“Love you, too. Stay safe. And if you change your mind, let me know. We’ll take care of each other.”
“We will.”
After I hung up, I sat where I was, staring at the wall opposite.I’ve dragged someone else I love into this mess. How will it end? My death? His?While her description of the guy didn’t match Carter’s, I knew he worked for Carter. And guessed he didn’t know where I was. Not fully. He knew I’d worked at the restaurant, but would he believe Jim and think I’d left town with some hick?
“Not until he thoroughly scours this place for me,” I muttered. “I should have left here a long time ago.”
My conscience demanded I go upstairs and pack, leave right after Avery got home. Not let him talk me into staying, forget his offers of protection. I had no right to endanger Avery’s or Declan’s lives. No right at all. I stood up slowly and turned to lean my hands on the kitchen’s counter. I gazed through the window to the backyard, thinking of how the hunted fox leads the hunter away from its den.
“I have to leave here.”
***
I inwardly cringed when Avery came home. The fixings for mac and cheese stood ready, the words I’d planned to speak had been rehearsed several times within my mind. My legs stiff, I went to the kitchen door.
Avery kissed the top of Declan’s head, then went straight up the stairs.
He didn’t look in my direction at all.
Before he vanished, I recognized the turmoil within him by his tight expression, the tension in his broad shoulders.What happened? This is more than just a bad day at work.I met Declan’s gaze.
“Dad’s upset,” he said.
“Yeah, I got that.”
I waited, but Avery didn’t return down the stairs.
Declan picked up the kittens and carried them into the kitchen. I followed more slowly, watching as they prowled around his legs, meowing, as he prepared their dinner. He set the bowls on the floor, then stood over them as Peter and Wendy growled at each other while devouring their chow.
I fed Max, who eyed the kittens warily before gulping his own meal. After that, he trotted up the stairs, presumably, to gain Avery’s protection.
I started for the counter, then realized Declan was crying. Silently. No wailing, no loud sobs. His tears rolled down his cheeks to plop onto the floor.
“Oh, baby.”
I crouched beside him and hugged him, letting him cry on my shoulder. “It’ll be all right. I swear.”
“No, it won’t. Jacy, I’m scared.”
What’s to be afraid of?I’m glad I didn’t say the words, for there was plenty to be afraid of.
