“Go ahead.” I shrugged. “Underestimate me. It’ll make killing you so much easier.”
Uncertainty filled his eyes, thinned his lips. “What did you do to James?”
“You don’t want to know. If you do crave the intel, then just continue to hassle me. I swear you’ll wish you’d just walked away.”
I made a small gesture toward the gun concealed under his jean jacket. “You can shoot me now and have everyone in this store memorizing your face. You’ll be caught before you can leave the state.”
Carter nodded thoughtfully. “That’s possible.”
“So you won’t shoot me now. Instead, you’ll try to find where I’m living, and stalk me, kill me under the cover of darkness.” I smiled. “Good luck with that.”
After studying my face for several moments, Carter turned and walked away.
***
As I believed Carter was no longer a problem, I decided not to inform Avery of the encounter. He had enough stress on his mind at the moment.I don’t need to add to them when Carter is a done deal.As I put groceries away, Avery slid his arms around me from behind and kissed my throat.
“We leave in the morning.”
Chapter Sixteen
Avery
We drove for sixteen hours across the country, Jacy and I swapping turns behind the wheel. Declan napped or played with his tablet, enduring the long drive without crying or complaining too much. As we’d departed on such short notice, we had no time to locate a pet sitter. Thus, Max, Wendy and Pete came with us.
“Let’s hope they don’t poop or pee,” I grumbled upon learning both kittens had hidden themselves under my seat.
“They have a litter box, Dad,” Declan pointed out.
“They’d better use it.”
Max curled up on his seat behind me and slept. Jacy eyed him over the back and smiled.
“He’s a good boy.”
“I’m not worried about him.”
We’d driven for perhaps six of those hours when the cats finally emerged from hiding. They cried for a while, but Declan’s hands and voice eventually quieted them. Not long after, Wendy climbed over the back and crouched on my shoulder, occasionally commenting on my driving skills.
“Backseat driver,” I snapped, and Jacy laughed.
We reached our destination just before midnight and rented a motel room that accepted pets. Max sniffed everywhere while the cats prowled the room, tail stuck stiffly upright toinform the world they’d become veteran travelers. I tucked Declan, sound asleep, into one bed while Jacy fed the critters.
With a grunt and a sigh, Max laid beside Declan. The kittens, not to be outdone, snuggled in the curve of his stomach. I turned the lights down, then held Jacy close.
“I’m scared this is a terrible mistake,” I murmured. “If I’m convicted, will you care for Declan?”
“You know I will,” she replied, kissing me. “You won’t be convicted. Tomorrow, this will all end. Happily.”
“I hope you’re right. If not, I need to know Declan will be with you. All his life.”
“I’ll be his mom.”
Jacy laid in the bed with me, her head pillowed on my shoulder. I couldn’t sleep. I stared up at the ceiling, unable to stop thinking if running wasn’t the better option.It’s not too late. We still can.I knew Jacy didn’t sleep either, though she pulled a good fake. I knew the pattern of her breathing when she slept, and she couldn’t feign it.
The sun rose at six, and Declan with it.
I listened to him yawn his way from his bed and go to the bathroom, then his pee striking the toilet. I sat up, rubbing my gritty eyes, then glanced at Jacy. She watched me, fully awake, her hair hardly tangled at all.
