“Love you, brother.” We say goodbye, and I hang up the phone, and dig my hands into my hair, tugging at the mess of strands. That was harder than I thought. I won’t be able to see my family for who knows how long. The thought of leaving everyone behind, the thought of not being able to explain to my nieces and nephew why I can’t be around, is like a punch to the gut. Then there’s the thought of not meeting Andrew’s first child the moment I can. What if something happens during the delivery and I’m not here? What about Gramps? What if he falls again, and this time gets hurt?
My anxiety ramps up, but I slow my heart before it can get any worse. No, this is what I have to do to keep myself safe. If something happens, they’ll find a way to get a hold of me, and I’ll come home, consequences be damned.
For now, though, this is what I have to do to protect Hannah. To protect me.
I stand from the swivel chair, and head toward the closed office door. Time to get home, get my shit, and getback to Hannah.
Barely two hours later,I’m shoving my suitcase into the vehicle that Elena arranged for us to drive to Missouri. Thankfully, I had enough time to shower before I packed. My suitcase is packed to the brim, with everything I could fit in there. I’ve thrown my blankets and pillows in the back as well, and grabbed all the things Arson would need. His dog bed, food, and his favorite toys take up a corner of the trunk.
My eyes are no longer burning thanks to the glasses resting on my nose. Exhaustion seeps into my bones, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I’m still waiting for the two cups of coffee I chugged while I was packing to kick in.
I have one last trip inside to grab Arson and one more bag, and then I can get to Hannah.
After they did a sweep of my house earlier, they had officers posted around the block, and I had the Chief inside with me while I packed up. I admit that it’s nice to know he’s been here watching.
I head inside, throwing open the door and scanning the room for Arson. He’s sitting by the couch, head tilted in confusion. “Ready, buddy?” I ask. He gives me a weird look, surely confused by the sudden urgency to pack as much of our things as possible, including his toys.
“You have to be on your best behavior, man,” I tell him, throwing the duffle bag on my shoulder and grabbing his leash from the door. I don’t need a leash often with him, but it will be nice for stops along the way. “Hannah is a nice girl, so you can’t mess this up for me with your dramaticattitude.” I glance down at him. He rushes over to me as soon as he sees the leash in my hand.
I complete my final walk through of the house, making sure the lights are all turned off. I open the front door, and Arson flies out, running onto the front lawn to use the bathroom as I turn around and lock the front door behind me.
Letting out a heavy sigh as the lock clicks, I try not to think about how long it could be before I’m home again. My house isn’t much, but I’ve lived here for a long time, so it’s home.
I whistle for Arson, and throw my final duffle into the trunk. He hops up into the backseat, and I climb in, noting that Chief has started his vehicle as well.
Chief pulls out onto the road as I’m pulling my seatbelt on, leading the way to Hannah’s apartment. I hate that the first time I’m going to her place is like this, but there’s not much I can do about that. I’ll have to make it up to her in the future.
It’s a short drive, maybe five minutes, before we’re pulling up in front of the complex. Chief climbs out, holding up a hand for me to stay put. I nod, but really, I’m itching to get out and get Hannah myself.
I note the other squad car across the street, and wave to the guy inside of it. I can’t quite tell who it is, but we’re a small department, and I know everyone.
Moments later, Chief is striding out of the complex, holding a few pillows and blankets, as well as rolling a suitcase behind him. Elena and Hannah follow, Elena with a small bag, and Hannah with a backpack and another suitcase. It looks like she planned the same way I did and brought a lot in case we are there for a while.
I slide out of the car and meet them at the trunk. Reaching out, I grab the wheeled suitcase from Hannah’shand, our fingers brushing in the transfer. I can’t control the shiver that passes through me at the small touch.
Once everything is loaded, Elena stops us, giving a few last-minute instructions. “The Graffs are expecting you. Don’t stop on the way unless you absolutely have to for gas or food.” She pauses, pulling an envelope from her back pocket. “Here’s a pre-loaded card with enough money on it to get you there, and a few hundred dollars in cash for anything else you might need.. There’s an address to the Graff’s in the envelope. Enter the address in the GPS. You’re not in witness protection, so you don’t need new identities, but keep contact with anyone outside of the Graffs to a minimum. You never know when it comes to dangerous people.”
Hannah shudders beside me, and I reach out, taking her palm in mine. Her hands are ice cold.
Elena glances at me. “You have the burner phone?”
“Yes,” I confirm.
“We will contact you when it’s safe to return home. Hopefully it’s only a week or two, but it’s hard to say in situations like this. You’ll have an unmarked escort following you.” She points to the black Suburban to my right. “If they note anything of suspicion, they will turn on their hazards. When they are done escorting you, they will flash their headlights three times. Make sure you keep your eyes open and watch your surroundings. We’ve checked all the vehicles multiple times for trackers, but they can be hard to find sometimes.”
“Thanks, Elena.”
“Be safe,” she says as a parting gesture. Chief gives me a final nod, and turns to head to his vehicle, leaving Hannah and I alone.
“I’ll take the first shift, okay?” I start bysaying, but Hannah isn’t listening. She’s frozen, staring up at the sky, her normally bright blue eyes dull and hard to read in the darkness. I squeeze her palm. “Hannah?”
“You’re sure this isn’t a dream, right?” her voice is so quiet I can’t be sure I heard her.
“As much as I wish it were, it’s not. Let’s get in the car, freckles.” I guide her to the car, opening her door and making sure she’s in and buckled before shutting it.
I take a deep breath and round the vehicle, opening the driver door. There’s a loud screech that puts my mind into overdrive. I reach to my side, gripping the handle of my gun and assessing what’s happening before me. Hannah has her palm pressed to her chest, but there’s a wide grin on her face. Arson has his front paws on the center console, and his head is resting on her shoulder. There’s a visible wet streak across her cheek.
She breaks out into a fit of laughter as I take in the scene before me, slowing my racing heart. I drop my hand from my gun, and climb into the car. “Arson, get back, dude.”
