“You jerk.” Ivy peaked around Olivia’s back. “You’d be lucky to have someone like my mom in your life.”
“Ivy, please.” Olivia pushed her back behind her. It was sweet her daughter was coming to her rescue, but it was a lost cause. Heath had his rules to protect his heart, and nothing would sway him. “I know it’s the last thing you probably want to do, but we’re in a bind. Is there any chance you can give us a lift home?”
Heath looked between the two again. “Fine.”
“Mom,” Ivy scowled at her.
“It’s alright, Ivy. Heath would never hurt us.”
“No, I wouldn’t.” He added, as Ivy cast her eyes down at her feet. Olivia wasn’t surprised. Royce had done all in his power to beat down any resistance in her. Now, a man couldn’t raise his voice around her without Ivy cowering down. The girl, that started finally coming out of her shell the past few days, vanished like a cloud of smoke. She could almost slap Heath for that, but she knew it was her fault, and not his. He was just reacting.
“There you have it,” Olivia opened the back door to grab their things and steered Ivy to the truck.
“Mom, he doesn’t look very happy. Are you sure we’re safe with him?”Ivywhispered, keeping her voice down, so Heath didn’t hear them.
“Absolutely, Heath is upset and justly so, but he would never hurt us.” Olivia’s eyes darted to Heath. She didn’t miss the tick working in his jaw. It was obvious he was upset, but she didn’t want to say anything more now in front ofIvy.Ivydidn’t react well, when people started yelling. She curled into a ball and started crying, covering her head. Something she could thank Royce for.
Another thing she could blame herself for staying with Royce, despite all he’d done to them, but at the time, she didn’t have anywhere to go or any money to get away. Royce controlled everything with an iron fist. Between what she witnessed at the docks and him hurting Ivy, she stole some of his money, found a used car for cheap, and then left without a backwards glance.
Olivia urged Ivy into the back of the truck, as she caught a whiff of his peat scent still clinging to the cloth. She inhaled deeper, knowing it would be the last time she smelled it.
Meeting Heath around the front of the truck, she said, “I understand if you never want to see me again. I betrayed your trust, and I wouldn’t blame you, if you hate me. All I ask is that you wait, until we’re alone to yell, rant, or scream for Ivy’s sake.”
Heath’s nostrils flared. “The man that hurt you. Did he hurt your daughter, too?” Heath’s voice was strained, like he was fighting back his anger. Normally, she would be frightened she was about to be struck, when a man spoke to her like that, but not with Heath. She knew he would never hurt her, no matter how angry he got. At least, not physically.
“He did.” In more ways than one. “Ivyis more frightened of men than I am. So, I beg you, hold onto your anger, untilIvyis out of hearing distance.”
“Why do you keep thinking I’m going to yell at you?” Heath looked bewildered.
“You’re really upset with me, and when men are upset, they yell.” Not that she could blame him. She deceived him into believing she was single.
Heath’s face pulled into a deeper scowl. “I’m not going to yell at you.”
Olivia didn’t argue, and instead, got in the front passenger seat. Arguing got her hit or yelled at more. Heath had already raised his voice more than once and had even said hurtful things. He would yell at her, and she had no doubt.
“So, where am I taking you?” Heath asked, sliding into the driver’s seat.
Olivia rattled off the address of the trailer house.
“But, Mom,”Ivystarted to protest, but clamped her mouth shut, when Heath turned to look at her.
“It’s okay, Ivy.” She knew her daughter’s fear in letting a man know their address, but Olivia knew after tonight, she didn’t have to worry about seeing Heath again. He already had commitment issues, and her having a child complicated his plans. He wouldn’t want to get involved with her anymore, which was fine by her. Any man who couldn’t accept Ivy in her life didn’t deserve to be in it. She should have stood by that moral a week ago, instead of being led astray by pretty eyes and a dashing smile.Again.
Olivia rested her head on her elbow, staring out of the window, but not really seeing anything. Her mind was in turmoil. She would like to think Heath could get over the shock and accept Ivy. She had been so happy the past few days with Heath. In time, she could see Heath and Ivy becoming friends, and she would get over her fear of men, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Olivia choked back a sob. She had royally screwed up. If she hadn’t promised Ivy they would settle down, and she already had a best friend, Ivy would have suggested they move again just so she didn’t have to worry about running into Heath in the future.
They rode in silence to the park. It was a little embarrassing him seeing where she was living, but the rent was cheap, and it was easy to get to and from work. Since they found this town a month ago, Olivia had been saving up every penny she could, so they could get ready for the next move, but now, it was saved for a new place to call home.A place where they could each have their own room, but the money she was making at the diner with tips hardly kept food on the table. Saving was hard going, but with time, they could make it work.
If only she could access her bank account, then they would be okay. She had enough money saved up to put a large deposit on a house or a decent rent, but she feared touching it, since Royce had access to it as well.
She had quite a nest egg from her work with the US Customs and Border Protection over the years, but her fear of Royce tracking them through her bank was too great a risk. Living off the cash she made, was the only way to stay off grid.
Once they reached the park, Olivia gave Heath directions to find their trailer. The streets were a maze, and it had taken her almost an hour to find it the first time. Now, she could do it with her eyes closed. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be there much longer.
Royce can’t find you. She had to remind herself. He had no way of tracking her. She owned a prepaid phone she paid for in cash a month ahead of time, and the bills were under a different name. They were safe, but it didn’t stop her flight instincts.
Once you start running, you’ll never stop.
