Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
She looks up at me, her eyes locking to mine, the uncertainty in them. Leaning down, I press my lips to her forehead.
Her eyes widen in shock as I pull back. “Dean, I don’t think this is a good idea. I don’t know you and you don’t know me.”
“I know this is unorthodox. Much about my life isn’t. One day, maybe I’ll share why, but for now, just know that I’ve lost someone before because I wasn’t diligent enough. Until I can figure out if the Johnson’s had someone doing work while they are gone or why the car was here, just have the fob, Jo. Please. For my peace of mind.”
She studies me and I try to keep my face gentle. Giving her neck one last squeeze, I drop my head, “for my peace of mind, Jo.”
She nods, wrapping her hand around the fob.
“Good girl,” I whisper before backing up. “Lock the door, Jo. Get some sleep.”
“Okay, Dean. Goodnight,” she mutters still in shock while she closes the door. I stand there listening as she engages the lock and deadbolt.
Still feeling uneasy, I go back to my house, grab my sleeping blanket from the garage before climbing in my truck bed.
A cool Carolina night under the stars isn’t the worst place I’ve ever slept. Not that I’ll sleep much. Any noise, a change in lights, anything, I’m already halfway to her house being in our shared driveway. Funny, I hated this design for the longest time, but now it gives me a strange sense of comfort.
Just get through tonight.
Tomorrow it’s time to put things into action.
No female remotely in my world will ever live in fear of a man.
Even if it means I go back to the cage.
Josie doesn’t need to know that. She just needs to be able to sleep easy for her and her son.
I’ll be the man to make sure she does.
Six
Josie
Working 9-5 or not…
Exhaustion is a cruel punishment. The video call ends for our morning meeting. My head throbs. I’m thankful today Sara did a video meeting rather than dragging us all into the conference room. Normally, I prefer to do in-person meetings. Probably sounds crazy. Most people prefer the video calls, even when we are back in the office full-time together. Remote days, it’s obviously necessary, office days that is what the conference room is made for. No need to waste the space. The video ones always make me insecure. The way my image pops up on the screen forcing me to stare at all of my flaws, it isn’t something I like. However, today I prefer to deal with the view of myself in a tiny box on a screen rather than socialize at any level. My people meter is running low today.
I need to sleep.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t turn my brain off. The moment I lay down the thoughts invade. Every time I think I can relax; he pops back up. Time and again, I only find a momentary reprieve from the fear. Sleep comes but in short bursts merely because exhaustion wins. Even with the protective order in place, he won’t leave me alone. Why can’t he let me go?
How many times do I need to move? How many new phone numbers do I need to get? Why can’t he stop contacting me? I gave up on having a traditional phone plan and only buy pay-as-you-go phones now. Getting a new number is much faster this way.
One thing I have learned more than anything, when becoming someone’s target, there is no way to outsmart them. Trying to hide where I moved to, I gave up my SUV that I loved. I tried using a ride share to get to and from work for a while, but that got expensive. Now, though, I can’t buy another car. I’ve done that three times, losing money each time. I knew it was a gamble since he knows where I work. He probably stakes out the parking lot here, even though, I tried carpooling, parking down the street and walking, and even working remote for as long as possible. It doesn’t matter what I do, he finds me. The only thing left is to give up the life I have here and go back to Arkansas.
I have almost six years with the agricultural division of Sampson County. When I lost Jonah, I found solace in work. Starting as a secretary and taking night classes at the community college, I found my passion. Finally, I am putting down roots in this department. I could see myself staying here until retirement. I love my job, I love working under Sara, and I love the area. The farmers are all friendly and genuinely dedicated to producing quality crops for consumers. If only Brett would let go, then I could have a good life right here with Justice. I don’t want to give this up.