“Yes. We’re on I-10. Why did you go back?”
“It’s the only way to end this for good, Catherine.”
Silence. And then she says, “Well, I’m so angry with you. You better come back home in one piece. Ethan woke up a few minutes ago mad as hell. Here he is.” And then there’s a muffled sound before Ethan gets on the other line.
“I can’t believe you did this.” I sense worry in his voice and anger, too.
“I’m sorry I lied to you. Again. But I knew you’d never leave without me. You’re hurt, Ethan. And this problem is not going away. We both know it. And Thomas has someone watching Mom. He showed me pictures….”
I hear Teeny begging to talk to me in the background and Ethan promises her she can as soon as he’s done.
“So, you’re just going to trust Thomas? Walk right into whatever plan he has?”
My heart is breaking because I know my chances of surviving this are slim. I feel so alone and powerless and scared. More scared than I thought possible. But the only thing that is keeping me from completely falling apart is that Ethan and Teeny will be okay and hopefully my parents and the Landrys, too.
“This has to end, Ethan. I want nothing more than to be in the car with you right now, but then what? We’ve talked about this for hours—who do we trust? Where do we go?”
He’s doesn’t reply.
“I’m so sorry about everything. Sorry I lied to you. Sorry your family is stuck on an island in Arkansas. Sorry you got shot. Sorry Teeny has been traumatized. And if this all works out, I totally understand if you never want to see me again.”
I’m trying to hold the tears in but am not succeeding.
“Oh, Anna. Please don’t cry. Please. This is killing me. You are a victim of this as much as the rest of us. That’s what’s making me crazy—your need to let all of this rest on your shoulders. And you’re not getting rid of me that easily. I may be mad about what you’ve done but you’re still stuck with me.”
“Are they taking you to a doctor?” I ask.
“We’re headed to Baton Rouge. Catherine’s uncle lives there. He’s a doctor.” I hear the pain in his voice.
“Please don’t be mad at Will. I really didn’t give him a choice. Is Teeny okay?”
“Yeah, she wants to talk to you. I’m passing the phone to her but I want to talk to you again when she’s done. Don’t hang up.”
“Okay.”
My heart is thumping by the time Teeny gets on the phone. I’m not sure if I can handle hearing her voice right now.
“Sissy, why did you leave us? You said we’d stick together. What if something bad happens and you’re by yourself?”
And then my heart cracks wide-open. “Teeny, it’s going to be fine. I’ll be back with you in a couple of days. I promise. Can you help take care of Ethan?”
“Yeah. I’m really pissed at you right now. Catherine is, too. And Will. He’s mad you put him in that position. You managed to piss off this entire car of people. Especially Ethan. He’s the most mad. He tried to crawl out of the backseat and punch Will for leaving you. Will says he’s gonna chew your ass out when he sees you next.”
I let out a quick laugh. “Yeah, I deserve that. I’m sorry everyone is mad. And I love you very much, okay?”
“Okay. Here’s Ethan.”
“Will you keep this phone on?” he asks once he’s back on the phone.
I look at the screen and there’s only 45 percent battery left. “I’m gonna have to power it off if I want the battery to last.”
“Teeny’s gonna stay at Catherine’s family’s house until this…is all over. Once I get checked out by the doctor, I’m coming back to New Orleans.” And then he pulls the phone away and yells to everyone in the car, “And if anyone tries to stop me, I will beat the shit out of them with my one good arm. I’m talking to you, Will.”
He gets back on the phone. “Promise me you’ll try to get out of there. Don’t stay and go through whatever Thomas has planned. I don’t trust him and I don’t trust Tyler, either. Get out of there in the morning then call me and tell me where to come get you. Don’t do this, Anna.”
“He’ll hurt Mom if I leave. Try to get to you and Teeny, too. I promise I’ll be careful. I really wish you’d stay in Baton Rouge but I know you won’t. If you come back, stay out of the Quarter until you hear from me. Mateo is still here somewhere.”
He lets out a heavy breath of air. I know he’s upset that I didn’t tell him what he wants to hear. “Do you still have the gun?”
