“Or…leave it all here and I’ll get you a new closet full of them.”
“You can’t buy me stuff, Cannon. It’s really nice of you to let me spend the night somewhere safe. I’d also love it if you bought me a burger. But you can’t buy me clothes.”
“I can buy you any damn thing I want,” I argue, chuckling.
She looks back at the car. She really doesn’t want to take anything from it. Maybe everything has bad memories. So, I take her hand and lead her away. “Leave it. Let’s go home.”
I help her into the passenger seat, pull the buckle across her to secure her, and round to my side of the SUV. Before starting the engine, I pull out my phone and tap the screen.
Rachell, the office manager who keeps the ship running smoothly at Black Blade Protection, answers on the first ring. “Cannon. What’s up?”
“Can you get someone out here to tow a car away from the side of the highway? I’ll text you the coordinates.”
“On it. Do you want it back?”
“No. I want it to have never existed.” I glance at my girl and lift a brow to make sure I’m giving the best instructions. She slowly nods.
Rachell responds, “What car?” She laughs right before she ends the call.
I smile. In an hour, that car will be history. Hopefully none of the local police, sheriff, or highway patrol have already stopped and run the plates. I doubt it since it doesn’t have a notice under the windshield wipers.
I set a hand on my girl’s knee and give a quick squeeze before starting the engine and pulling onto the highway.
For a few minutes, we ride in silence. When we get to the edge of town, my girl slinks down in the seat. I know she doesn’t want anyone to see her. I’m glad she knows to do so. She’s smart.
“Good girl,” I tell her as we get to the other side of town.
“Eloise,” she whispers.
I jerk my gaze to her. “Eloise… What a pretty name.”
My heart seizes.
Eloise.
Chapter Six
Eloise
* * *
My heart beats fast as we get farther and farther away from that town. I didn’t like its vibe. Bad things happened there. I don’t think June and I were the only victims. That man hurt others, and he got away with it.
I know a lot of people who have done bad things and gotten away with it. Too many. But today, the world is a tiny bit brighter because it now has one less abuser. Good riddance.
Cannon points to the golden arches as we pull into the next town. “Yeah?”
I smile. My stomach grumbles again. The apple wasn’t enough to fill me up.
Cannon pulls into the drive-thru. “I assume you don’t want to go in.”
“No. Please.”
“Do you want to pick something to eat?”
“Can you just do it?” I ask. I don’t want to be indecisive, but for some reason, I like the way Cannon takes charge of things. He keeps fixing things. One after another. I’m beyond exhausted. I don’t want to make decisions. I want him to do it.
“Yes, Little one. I’ll order for you. But you have to tell me whether you want a cola or lemon-lime soda.”
