It’s hard to explain, but just please, Melody. I really need this.
My phone rings a second later. Melody.
I pick up the phone hesitantly and steel myself to keep my voice even. Melody would know something was up if my voice shakes even the tiniest bit.
“Hey, Melody.”
“Dani, I swear to god if he hurt you, I’ll kill him myself.”
“No, no. Well, not in the way you’re thinking. I just need to get away from him, from this place, and clear my head. Can you help me? Does Jaxon have some sort of vacation home that Kayden doesn’t know about?”
I hear Melody’s sigh as she hesitates to answer. “He does… yes. How far away are you wanting to go? For how long?”
“Honestly, it doesn’t matter how far it is. As long as he doesn’t know about it.”
“Jax recently purchased a home out in northern Wisconsin. I suppose I can give you the code to the house. Do you think you’ll fly or drive?”
“I was thinking of driving. I feel like flying would be too easy for him to figure out where I went. Too traceable.”
“Are you sure, Dani? Google Maps shows it’s nearly a forty hour drive. We can always get you on Jaxon’s private jet, no credit card to trace, no cameras to track, and no security to go through.”
“Ya know, I’ll actually take you up on that,” I respond. “That sounds so much better than spending all that time in the car.”
“OK, then it’s settled. Do you have enough money? I can make a deposit if you need me to,” she replies, anxiety clear in her voice. I know Melody would do anything to help me, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be nervous about it. Plus, I don’t need her money—she doesn’t know about the hundreds of thousands of dollars I have sitting in my account.
“I’ll be OK. I have enough saved up from my tips at the diner. Don’t you worry—though, I know you will anyway.”
“You know I will. I love you, girl. Please call or text me everyday on your trip. How long are you staying?” she asks, rambling on. “Oh, and Dani? I’ll make sure the house is fully stocked with food and necessities before you make it out there.”
“What would I do without you?” I ask, already knowing the answer. Melody has been an amazing best friend and I know I would not be able to get away without her help. “And I think I’ll need at least a week. I have a lot that I need to sort through.”
“OK, I’ll arrange for a driver to pick you up from the airport when you land. So, where are you now? Do you have your car?”
“Weeell, that’s the thing. I need you to pick me up, too. You can’t ask me any questions about the place you’re picking me up from, though.”
“Why do you have to be so cryptic, Dani?”
“Just trust me, please,” I plead. I have a feeling Kayden has kept this place a secret for their own wellbeing.
“Alright,” she replies with a sigh. “Text me the address and I’ll pick you up in two hours.”
“Thanks, Melody. See you soon!”
I hang up the phone, text her the address, and continue throwing clothes and necessities in a backpack I found in Kayden’s closet. Slipping out of Eden should be pretty easy. I know Dr. Crawford and Jackie are busy with patients from the influx of new arrivals from the recent ring busts.
I slow down as I look around the room, despair washing over me in waves. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Any of this. I feel like everything I had hoped for slipped right through my fingers. After all this time, having Kayden in my life felt like fate. But it’s been nothing but a nightmare since Derek barged through my door.
Now, I just need to wait for Melody to text me and I’m out of here.
Nearly two hourspass before the text comes through from Melody.
Melody
Hey girl I’m here. This place looks like a dump. Are you sure I’m in the right place?
Me
Yeah I’m sure. I’ll be out there in a min.
