“I thought so, too. I don’t know what to do.” I lean back against the wall. “If he’s found us already, we?—”
“Are we gonna have to leave again?”
I jerk at the little voice that interrupts us and turn toward where Elsie stands just inside the room. We hadn’t even noticed her come in. Her question is sad, her entire demeanor deflated despite her being excited to tell me about her new friends earlier. She likes this school. She likes this house.
I like this house.
I tip up my chin. We can’t leave. We can’t run forever. And I’m tired of forcing my daughter to change her life over and over again. Ric is a threat, one we’ll have to face, but I’m tired of running. I know Elsie is, too. I just. . . don’t know what to do yet.
“No, baby,” I reassure her. Tonya glances at me, but I keep my eyes on Elsie. “Go on back up and I’ll come read a book with you here shortly. What chapter were we on again?”
“Chapter eighteen,” she replies happily, her sadness forgotten.
I nod my head. “Good. Go get ready and I’ll be right up.”
Once she disappears up the stairs, Tonya meets my eyes.
“What are you going to do?” she asks. “If he knows where you are, Ava, we may have a problem.”
“I know that, but I’m tired of running,” I murmur. Straightening, my brain starts going over a plan, or some semblance of one. “We’re gonna have to fight back.”
“The restraining order didn’t stick,” Tonya points out.
Of course it didn’t. He has friends in the police force, and he was able to convince them I was being dramatic. But this isn’t home. Things may be different here, but I’m not going to risk it. I have a better idea.
“I don’t need one,” I reply, my face hardening. “I’ll take care of it, but tomorrow, take the car. No more walking even if it’s only two blocks. I’ll hire a rideshare for myself.”
Tonya pulls me into a hug. “I’m immensely proud of you,” she whispers. “But be careful how you fight back. Some stains stick to our souls.”
I meet her eyes. “My soul’s already long stained, Tonya. I’m only trying to keep Elsie from suffering the same fate.”
Fear clogs my throat and I very nearly choke on it. But for Elsie? I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her happy and safe.
Six
Ava
All night, my mind has been running crazy. I get no sleep, not that I could even if I wanted to. Between the attempt at coming up with ideas on how to keep us safe and chugging coffee to stay awake and alert, every little noise feels like a threat. The trees outside tapping on the window with the wind kept me on edge. Every car that runs down the street steals my breath until they continue past. A dog barking nearly sends my soul from my body. Paranoia has crept into our life again, and I’m worried about what that could mean, if I’ll be able to continue without having further panic attacks.
I won’t go back to that life. I won’t let Elsie be dragged back to it.
So, as I rise and cover up the dark circles under my eyes with foundation, the gears of my mind turn. I’ve come up with and dismissed at least a dozen plans. I can’t go to the police. Even when I had proof, they did nothing to help. The divorce attorney told me that I would need more to prove he’s an unfit father and with me running away, it actually gave him an advantage for a full custody case despite him accepting the temporary restraining order my lawyer had managed to push. So here I am, desperately trying to find a way to keep Elsie safe from the man who contributed to her creation. If he gets visitation, or worse, custody, there’s no telling what he’ll do.
That’s when the idea starts truly growing. It’s silly at first, a foolish thought that feels like a joke I told myself more than anything, but the more I think about it, the more I consider it. Realistically, it’s risky as hell. Not only could it get me fired, but it could cost me everything, like my reputation in the business world. It could literally backfire on me, making it impossible to stay here. And then I’ll have to tell Elsie we’re leaving again.
But if it works. . .
To combat Ric, I need something different, something I don’t already have. Tonya has always been an immense help, but she’s just one woman. Together, we have zero assets. What we need are powerful allies. We need allies that Ric would be afraid of, that would keep him from acting for fear of losing all credibility. I can’t attack him with the justice system, but I can attack the things he actually cares about.
His money. His social status. His peace. His body.
And today’s the day I meet with someone powerful enough to help. It’s a stupid plan, a risky one, but fuck if it doesn’t sound promising. So, for shits and giggles, I put together a folder of my plan and slip it into my briefcase as I get Elsie ready for school. I don’t have to show it to him. I don’t even have to go through with it, but it’s there just in case.
In case I truly lose my sanity and go for it. Sometimes, risk is what makes things happen.
Strolling through the doors of Fox Industries a few hours later is surreal. The lobby screams big money, white marble floors shot through with golden veins and ceilings so high, it’s almost hard to see the modern chandeliers. The large reception desk takes up a generous portion of the room where it sits in front of the bank of elevators. I’m dressed in my fiercest suit today, the red one I reserve for important meetings, so my confidence is high. The red suit pants tuck in nicely at my ankles to show off the black heels I’m wearing. I look as powerful as I want to be, and that’s important, both for the project with Goliath and for the secret folder in my briefcase. I need to feel confident right now. I need to not feel like a complete idiot.
“Can I help you?” the receptionist asks as I approach. Even she gives off the big money aura. Dressed in a form fitting dress that clearly cost more than my entire wardrobe and her hair pulled back in a severe bun, she looks just like I’d expect a receptionist in a TV show to look. She smiles when I stop in front of the desk, but the smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
