Tucked away in a smaller-than-small town in the middle of Nebraska, Allison had been stupid enough to believe that she and Maddie were safe. But safety was just an illusion, and the second she let her guard down…justwhen she was finally beginning to settle in…
There he was.
“Did he see you?”
“No,” she answered Sloane’s question with a quick shake of her head. “At least, I don’t think so. I came in through the employee entrance in the back and caught a glimpse of him through the small kitchen window. He was looking down at his phone, and I slid behind the wall before he looked up. And before you say anything, yes, his face was partially hidden, but I’m telling you…it was him.”
You never forget the face of the evil.
“I don’t know how it’s even possible,” Sloane mused, adding a hurried, “I’m not saying I don’t believe you, it’s just…I can’t figure out how in the world Tommy could have found you.”
“Me, either.” Allison sighed. “You said the new I.D.s would work. That there was no way for Tommy to trace them back to me or Maddie, but now?—”
“That’s what I’m saying, Allison.” The other woman’s tone grew even more serious. “The guy I use for all of that is the best in the business and his loyalty is infallible. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I know the risks involved with what we do here, which means I take nothing for granted and no one at face value. So if Tommy really did found you, my gut says he did it through some other means.”
“How?”
“I don’t know..yet. Until I do, the most important thing is getting you and Maddie someplace safe. Are you still heading east?”
“Yes.” Allison nodded, despite knowing the other woman couldn’t see her. “I’m on Highway 30. We stopped in Cedar Rapids about forty-five minutes ago for fuel and a quick restroom break.” Thankfully, Maddie had been asleep ever since. “According to the last sign we passed, we’re about three hours from Chicago.”
Sloane’s sigh of relief was impossible to miss. “Good. Chicago is perfect, actually.”
It…was?
“Why is that perfect?”
“Because there’s a place there where you and Maddie will be safe.”
Safe.There was that word again.
“Sloane, I’m not sure Chicago’s the best place for?—”
“Come on, Al. You’ve trusted me this long.” Sloane cut her off. “If you didn’t, then mine wouldn’t have been the number you called this morning.”
The argument was a strong one. Sloane was the only person on the planet Allison trusted. But even that only got her so far.
Every decision she made—no matter how careful—held the potential for risk. And with Maddie’s life on the line, there was no such thing as being too cautious.
“I have a friend who lives there,” the insistent voice sounded in her ear once more. “She runs a women’s shelter, but unlike Liberty House, Naomi’s entire operation is kept under the radar.”
Liberty House was the name of Sloane’s shelter in Seattle. It was there where Allison had first met the other woman. The place where she’d finally found hope. But now…
“Only Naomi, her staff, a few trusted CPD cops, and a specialized private security firm located in the city are even aware of its existence,” Sloane continued. “From the outside, it appears like any other apartment building with no signage to help keep the woman and children staying there safe.”
With an inward cringe, Allison did her best not to sound unappreciative. “I know you’re doing all you can to help, but I was really hoping for something more than another shelter to hide out in until Tommy finds us again.”
Because hewouldfind them again. He always did.
“I know you’re tired of running, Allison. Trust me, I get that more than you know. But Naomi’s place is safe, and Chicago’s big. The chances of your husband finding you there is slim to none.”
Slim to none, but not impossible.
When it came to Tommy Gallo, it seemed like nothing was impossible. And though dragging her daughter to yet another shelter was the last thing Allison wanted to do, driving aimlessly across the country with no real plan wasn’t exactly a grand plan in the making.
Frustration, fear, disappointment, and anger warred within her veins. In the end, she drew upon the few tendrils of strength that had yet to be destroyed and said, “Send me the address. I’ll stay with your friend.”
“Texting it to you now,” Sloane revealed. “I’ll let Naomi know you’re headed her way so she can meet you in the building’s lobby when you get there. She did confirm there’s an apartment available, but it’s a one-bedroom, so you and Maddie will have to share a bed.”
