“Why would you agree to this?!” I shriek. “Why?”
I’m pretty sure this is the first time that Dad or Ledger has ever lied to me. It’s such a big one that I don’t know how I’m supposed to get over it. The betrayal is icy cold, and I can feel myself emotionally retreating as I glare up at the man I’ve trusted my entire life.
Ledger’s jaw clenches and his nostrils flare as he slowly turns to look back at me. There’s fire in his eyes that warns of his rising temper. It only enrages me further. Howdareheget mad! I hadn’t been the one lying to him.
“It was to protect you,” he bites out through clenched teeth.
My bark of laughter is bitter. “Protect me? Protect me how? Wouldn’t having each other’s back be a great protection rather than ditching me?”
“He didn’tditchyou,” Ledger objects. “Anchor knew that I’d look after you. It was, and is, the safest plan. He doesn’t have to worry about his daughter while a threat hangs over the two of you, and you get to continue living a semi-normal life here with me at Gnarly Pines. It’s a win-win, Blair.”
“I don’t need you to look after me!” I’m pretty sure my head is about to pop off my neck with how angry I am. “I’ve been looking after myself just fine for years.”
Ledger takes a step forward. His imposing figure towers over my short frame, but I don’t let him intimidate me. I glare back at him, ready for a fight.
“This is different and you know it. You have people after you now, people who would happily rape, torture, or kill you just to lure Anchor out into the open. Wasn’t the past two weeks proof of how dangerous your life is right now?” He says, his voice rising with agitation as his brows slam together in a deep scowl. “You said it yourself—that there’s trouble on your heels. I’ll make sure that trouble never touches you, got it? You’re safe here with me. You wouldn’t have that guarantee if you stuck withAnchor. He’s going to tackle this shit head-on to make sure these people don’t ever get you.”
My heart races as I stare at him. Lodged in my throat is a scream of denial. If these people know who he is, they probably know a lot about him. Heneedshelp. He can’t go after an organization or an individual who may know his strengths and weaknesses. Dad’s good, but not face-an-army good. He’s one man. Whoever is after him could overpower and kill him.
Agony shoots through me at the thought.
“Ledger…” I start slowly as I attempt to rein in my anger. “Tell me where he is.”
The demand is supposed to sound stern, but my voice wavers just enough to reflect the panic and nerves rioting beneath my skin.
The hardness in Ledger’s expression softens just a bit.
“I honestly don’t know,” he admits, his mouth turning down into a frown. “And he doesn’twantme to know. Anchor wants me here with you and I agree, it’s for the best—as much as I hate him being out there without backup. You might’ve been raised in a life where bullets and blood were normal, but you’re too good for that shit. You deserve a better life, Blair. You can have that here.”
Now that I’ve gotten a handle on my rage, it subsides pretty quickly. Fear and despair quickly take its place.
I lick my dry lips as I shake my head. “But… I can’t lose him, he’s all I have.”
Ledger’s scowl returns. “You won’t. We have to trust that he has a plan and that he’ll call for help if he needs it, just like he’s done in the past. Now eat and get some sleep, we can talk more in the morning. You’re dead on your feet. At this point, in your current state, you’d be no help to anyone.”
He’s right, I probably wouldn’t be.
“We start the days here early, but just ignore any commotion you hear downstairs in a few hours. I’ll let the others know to keep their voices down. Sleep as long as you can,” Ledger says. “You already met Wesley. He knows who you are and who Anchor is, too, though not his real identity. I had to tell him as I prepared for your arrival. But the other two, Rhett and Santiago—they’ve only been told we’re having company for the foreseeable future. You can share as much or as little as you want with either of them. I trust everyone under this roof with not only my life, but yours too.”
I nod, my gaze drifting to the floor, struggling to contain the storm of emotions inside of me.
“This dresser is full of clothes for you. The closet has a few jackets you might need once it gets cold, and it contains a fresh bug-out bag in case of an emergency. There’s a gun with an extra clip in the top drawer of the dresser, along with a hunting knife. Keep both on you at all times. You never know when you’ll need them, got it?” He continues.
Again, I nod. What else is there to say? I’m so far beyond the point of exhaustion that just keeping my head up feels like a chore. My anger and the betrayal are still there, but so is a heavy sense of helplessness and fear for Dad’s safety.
“It sounds like you have everything figured out,” I mutter bitterly.
Two weeks ago, I thought my future included a lot of father-daughter time. Now, my future is a big question full of unknowns. What will happen to Dad without me? I could lose him and never know his fate. The thought makes me sick. Dad may not be perfect, but he’s my world. We’ve been as thick as thieves ever since he picked me up from Uncle Al’s trailer. Even when I decided not to be a gun for hire, Dad kept in touch all the time. While yes, I’ve always understood that there’s a risk to his job, this is different.
Ledger shakes his head, clearly frustrated. “I do, now get some sleep, Blair. It’ll make sense when you’ve rested.”
I highly doubt that.
With a bitter eye roll, I turn my back on him.
“Sure, Ledger, I’ll do whatever you want.”
Chapter 7
