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Anger began to simmer in her gut then. What did he care really? “Why concern yourself with what I am or am not going to do?”
“Why don’t you quit being an immature brat?” Another taunt.
The anger was swiftly turning to rage. “Why don’t you make me stop being an immature brat?” Yeah, get him girl. You really told him!
“Oh dear, am I interrupting?” a soft voice called from the doorway of the house.
“Yes!” Cap and Ava said at the same time.
“Well then, Ava, if you’ll come with me I think Caesar is looking for you,” the woman said unperturbed. “By the way, I’m Melody. I’m married to Tex.”
Ava turned to the woman and forced a smile. “Nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me stay last night.”
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to Caesar. And you are more than welcome to stay as long as you’d like,” Melody told her as she went back into the house.
Ava glanced back at Cap. He was staring off in the distance, chest heaving as if he’d just run a mile. He was angry.
Good. So was she.
She followed Melody through the house to the kitchen. Ava noticed that all the men from earlier had gathered in a very large room off the kitchen. Holland had joined them and turned to look at her. He shook his head when he saw her and went back to doing whatever he’d been doing before he saw her.
Melody sighed. “That’s Tex’s war room. I don’t like the name but I understand the need.”
Ava nodded at that and continued to follow her to an enormous backyard where Caesar lay in the sun with the three-legged hound, Baby.
He saw her and got up slowly, stretching before he bounded over to her. She went to her haunches and rubbed him. He lay on his back in ecstasy.
“He’s a bigger baby than my Baby,” Melody laughed.
“Yeah, he’s been my rock these last two years,” Ava said softly.
“What are you going to do?” Melody asked her suddenly.
Ava turned her head to look at Melody. The woman was clearly in love with her life. Ava envied her.
“I don’t know,” Ava told her honestly. “I can’t stay here. They’re looking for me and they always, always find me. I won’t bring that to your door.”
“Tex has a lot of friends in town. You’re safe here.”
Ava could feel time ticking down. It raised the hair on the back of her neck. “I won’t bring it here. And Cap, Holland and Scope are here—I know I’m safe. But these people are looking for blood…mine. You’ve got children here. No, I won’t stay but I thank you for the offer.”
“When will you leave? What can I do for you before you go?”
Ava eyed the other woman. “I could use a backpack and some clothes. I left everything in Atlanta.”
Her head was hurting—all she wanted was to take her earbuds out and lay down for a nap.
“Tell you what—I’ll get you some things together if you go take some time to rest up.”
She was really off her game if Melody could tell she was tired. But the simple truth was she’d be stupid not to rest while it was somewhat safe. “Where’s Jo?”
“She left a note for you…” Melody handed her an envelope. “Said she had to get back on the road. I think she left you all her contact information.”
Ava stood and took the envelope. “I’m going to take your advice and rest up. I’ll leave tonight after dinner.”
Melody nodded. “I wish you’d stay but I’ll have everything ready for you.”
“Come on, Caesar,” Ava urged as she headed back through the house and up the staircase to her room.
