But this situation was different. Evelyn survived.
If I hadn’t given Evelyn my card, we wouldn’t be here, but she’d still be in danger. I would have been at home preparing for another shift. Instead, I was here moments away from agreeing to uproot my life here for a stranger.
I could do more. I could make sure she was safe.
Maybe my father was right. Maybe I did have a hero complex after all, because even though just thinking about home made my heart race, I couldn’t walk away and wash my hands of the situation.
There was a problem, and I had the power to solve it. As irrational and crazy as it sounded, I knew that I was the only one who could protect her.
I stood and moved toward her, kneeling where Eric once was. “Evelyn, will you go with me? To Georgia, I mean. I know you don’t have any reason to trust me, but I think I can help you by getting you out of here.”
Her eyes met mine, and she stared like she’s searching, like she’s wondering if she could really trust me. I didn’t know what she found in them, but she nodded her head. “Okay, I’ll go.”
Letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my shoulders sagged as relief flooded through me. I didn't have a clue how I was going to convince her to put her trust in me, let alone run away with me if she refused.
I stood, turning to look at Danny and Eric.
“We should make a plan.”
Chapter 7
Parker
We strategized for hours trying to find the best way to get to Georgia without being followed. Charles was clever. He had evaded arrest twice. He somehow knew that Evelyn had given his name to Officer Grant and hurt her friend. That meant the police couldn't be trusted, and she was on her own. He wanted Evelyn isolated, so that he could toy with her. I wasn't going to allow that to happen.
As Eric, Danny, and I sat around the kitchenette table devising a plan, Evelyn sat on the couch staring into space. She barely moved when Eric offered her a small meal of Sopa de Pollo and only spoke to thank him.
The first part of our plan involved Danny obtaining a fake ID and a new SIM card for Evelyn. We all agreed that it would be best for Evelyn to hide her identity while in Oakland Ridge. Although it was a small town where no one would know her, we didn’t want to take any chances. Luckily, Danny knew someone who could get the job done in under twenty-four hours, so we would have it by the morning.
By sunrise, I had already called the fire chief and explained I would need an emergency leave of absence. In the ten years that I had been a firefighter, I hadn’t even taken a vacation. Atthe age of twenty-eight years old, I was the youngest fire captain at Station 66, and I had risen to this position because of my dedication to the house and community. Fire Chief Bradden was more than happy to give me as much leave as I wanted, no questions asked.
The only part of the plan still left up in the air was notifying my parents. I knew I couldn’t just show up. The last time we had all been together, I was packing for New York and giving up my inheritance ten years ago. They would have questions, and more so, they would be wondering who the hell Evelyn was.
I stepped away from the kitchen and into the bathroom across the hall, pulling out my phone with unease.
Three rings and my father's gruff voice came through the line.
“Son, I can only assume something is wrong, or perhaps this is a butt dial.”
“No, Dad. I meant to call you, and I guess you could say something is wrong—very wrong.”
“Well, spit it out already. I don’t have all day. I’m meeting the mayor and the sheriff for golf soon.” He tutted.
“I’m coming home, and I’m bringing someone with me. We just need to get away from New York right now. I know we haven’t been seeing eye to eye, but I need you to put that aside right now. This is important.”
“I’m listening.”
“I met someone—they’re in danger and need to lay low.”
“A woman, you mean.” I could practically hear him preening through the phone from his assumption. “Did you save her, too?”
I counted to ten in my head before responding. This wasn’t the time to lose my cool.
“Yes,” through gritted teeth, I continued, “she lost everything in a fire. I’m just trying to help her out. She’ll be under an alias.This has to stay between you and me. The less people know, the safer she will be.”
There’s a long pause once I’m finished. So long that I pulled the phone from my ear just to check if he’s still there.
In a clipped tone, he barked, “Alright, I’ll have Tonya prepare the pool house for you and your guest. I only ask one thing.”
