Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 128356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
I’m the one who ran away a week ago, but every time Dahlia comes over—three times in a week because she worries too much—I’m hit with a sense of paralyzing anticipation and dread.
The hope that it might be someone else.
Even after I wrote the safe word and had to wipe my tears so he wouldn’t see them on the paper.
God, I miss him. So much.
I feel hollow without him.
I stand up and head to the door.
The place I asked Lawrence to get for me is one of his unmapped safe houses and is only an hour away from Graystone Ridge in a forgotten, less affluent town.
According to Lawrence, Jude won’t search for me this close and will assume I’ve changed coasts.
The wood creaks under my steps as I walk to the door, and the scent of stale wood and untouched air fills the space. Everything here is still, and the deep quiet presses against my ears. The walls are a soft, muted gray, and it should feel welcoming, but it doesn’t.
The living room is sparsely furnished—a beige couch, a wooden coffee table, and a lamp I barely turn on. The hardwood floor is cool under my socked feet as I move through the space, taking in the kitchen’s untouched countertops, the fridge stocked with food that I forget to eat, the sink that’s empty because I don’t make meals worth dirtying dishes for.
I’ve lost the will to cook when there’s no one to enjoy those meals with me.
As I open the door, I can see the lingering remnants of winter clinging to the world, patches of old snow melting into the damp earth, the trees still skeletal, waiting for spring to bring them back to life.
Everything is waiting.
Maybe including me.
“Viii!” Dahlia drops the box on the porch and hugs me. “Ugh, I’ve missed you so much.”
“You were here two days ago.”
“I still miss you.” She pouts. “This sucks. I suggested we ban Jude instead of you, and Kane just gave me a very unamused look.”
My heart thuds at the mention of his name, but I swallow. “No one banned me. I just chose to leave, Dahl.”
“I know, I know.” She pulls away and grabs the box of my stuff that I asked her to bring me.
When I try to help, she jokingly kicks me before she steps inside and puts it on the counter.
Before I close the door, I cast a glance in the distance as if expecting—or maybe hoping—to see the familiar black motorcycle I’ve been seeing in my dreams lately.
Or, more accurately, nightmares. Ones that end with Jude’s blood all over that motorcycle.
For the first time, I wish for Mama’s demon back on my chest. Anything is better than those ominous images.
I make Dahlia some coffee, and we sink into the couch. Neither of us is comfortable. This house doesn’t feel like home.
It doesn’t feel like anything at all.
“Are you lonely, Vi?” she asks softly.
“I’m fine. I might have to repeat this year at the new college I’ll enroll in, but I’ve been having so much fun with embroidering.”
“Liar. You’ve been working on that piece for the whole week. And you’re not eating properly. Don’t think I didn’t see all the food you didn’t touch in the fridge. You can’t survive on just ginger ale.”
“I’ll take that as a challenge.” I grin, trying to ease the mood.
“I’m not joking.” She frowns. “I’m truly worried about you. I don’t know what the hell you saw in that brute Jude, but I prefer the constant smile on your face when you were with him to these sad smiles.”
My lips press into a line. “That’s not possible.”
“Why not? You’re the one who left, so you can come back. Besides, he’s been going berserk this past week. Honestly, Vi. Kane said losing you and Preston is messing Jude up big time.”
“I’m the reason he lost Preston.”
“Oh my God. Is that why you left?”
“He was going on killing sprees again because of me.” I touch my tattoo. “I’ve seen him murderous to avenge his mother, and I know it killed something inside him. I don’t…want to be Susie Callahan 2.0. I don’t want to be the reason for his eventual decimation down the road of no return.”
“Okay, I get it. But those guys have been killing since they were young and will probably continue to do so for the rest of their lives. Do you think I like that Kane does it? Of course not. And I was a bit apprehensive at the start, but that’s just a part of who he is that I have to compromise with. Because I love him, and I know he loves me and would kill to protect me. Already has, actually. Maybe Jude feels the same. Killing to protect you could be his love language. Do you think you’ll never get past that?”