He stepped forward and I retreated, feeling my backside press against the frigid metal of the Corolla. He whispered, verbalizing his deepest fear. “You’re leaving me aren’t you?”
“Chris—no, of course not.”
“Then give me the card.”
“This is silly. I?—”
He didn’t let me finish. He lurched forward, and I yelped. One hand jerked me forward by the arm and he thrust the other inside my jeans’ pocket. Once he found the credit card, he let go and pulled out his phone, tapping the screen to illuminate it. He cussed. So loudly I winced.
“What the hell are you trying to pull?”
“Nothing, I think I grabbed it by mistake.”
His voice was growl-like and angry. “You liar.”
He turned on his flashlight, shining it into the car. In the backseat next to Kacey were diaper boxes full of clothes. I didn’t have tape, so the flaps were open, advertising their contents.
“Clothes?”
“For Goodwill.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “You must think I am some kind of idiot.”
“Chris, I?—”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I didn’t answer.
“Where?”
I managed to suck in a deep breath, mustering courage. “Thehospital.”
With the speed of a viper, he reached up and grabbed the back of my neck. His fingers pressed deep into my muscles, and I grunted in pain, attempting to twist away. “Ow—Chris! Let go!”
He stepped forward, pressing his body against mine, trapping me on the side of the car. He squeezed, forcing my face upward to look him in the eyes. My own stung as I tried to push him away. He was like a brick wall. My size put me at a distinct disadvantage with Chris who had eight inches on my 5’3” stature.
He hissed, nose to nose. “You’re going to Nashville, aren’t you? Back to him.”
“What?” I should’ve expected he’d accuse me of this again. “No. I swear I’m not!”
I whimpered, moving my head from side to side. He pressed his forehead against mine. All ease had melted from his expression. His brows cut angry slants over his eyes. He whispered into my face, “You aren’t going anywhere—especially back to Nashville—with my money or my kid.”
“I’m—I’m not going to Nashville.”
“Texas?”
I considered throwing a punch at him—I knew how, but ultimately he’d overpower me and there would be hell to pay as is.
I nodded and tears spilled out of my eyes. “I just want to go see Tag.” Words scraped out of my tight throat. “I’ll come back. I promise.”
His thumb rolled over the tendons in my neck, and I criedout. With his free hand he groped around my other pockets until he found the car keys and my phone.
“Shh!” Spittle hit my face, and he glanced over his shoulder to make sure we hadn’t caught any attention. “You want to leave? Fine. But you’re leaving without Kacey.” He let go of me and yanked Kacey’s door open before shoving my stuff into his sweatpants.
My world spun.
There was no way I’d leave withoutmyson.
