“Look,” I sigh. “I don’t want it to come to that. But you can’t let her leave town. The surrounding area is too dangerous.”
“Copy that. The snake could burn up anyone just wandering around out there.”
“Not just that. She might have someone looking for her.”
“A dangerous person?”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
“Okay.” Luke lets out a short whistle. “I hear you loud and clear. Lock down the town and apprehend the young lady, and hold her until you arrive.”
“Thank you, Luke. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. I know you’d do the same for me.”
“Absolutely, yes,” I answer.
We both end the call. I rub my temples a little as I try to get my thoughts back on track. I know I can track her, and with my boys on the town limits, she won’t get far, even if she is running.
And if she wants to leave me…I’ll accept that. But not without telling my side of the story first.
Chapter 16 - Alisha
After Scarlett leaves, I try to go back to the couch to relax, but anxiety rises in my guts, fueled by the dozens of unanswered questions bubbling in my brain.
Why, Brad, why? And how could you keep this from me, after everything we shared?
Tears slide down my cheeks as I sit and stare out the window, as if I’m looking right into my most recent memories.
His hands on me…his lips, his tongue. Making me breakfast, coming to meet me at work…
I have to gulp down a sob as I look at these beautiful moments lying shattered at my feet. I thought I had a new world. A bright, warm place full of hope and love.
But all I have now is deception and lies.
A terrible sob tries to rip out through my throat, and I gulp it back down. Suddenly, my feelings set fire to my blood, and a horrible restlessness takes me over.
Can’t stay here…I just can’t!
I jump to my feet, grabbing my phone and purse. Briefly, I look around, but there is nothing here that really belongs to me, nothing I want to bring.
As I walk to the front door, I look at the phone Brad bought me, wondering if I should take it.
I’ll hang on to it for now. I can ditch it later if I think he’s tracking me.
I take the bike out of the shed and pedal out onto the road, but I’m only a few streets away when I realize the fundamental flaw of my plan.
I don’t know where I’m going!
Another wave of sobs trembles in my chest, but I refuse to let them out. I can’t just leave town. I know Paul could be anywhere in the surrounding territory.
I can’t risk being found by him…
My first thought is to go to the gardens, but I know Brad will check there first when he comes looking for me.
I can’t stand the idea of him strolling up to me, all casual, with a happy, sweet smile covering up a web of ugly, horrid lies.
It literally turns my stomach to think about how he looked me in the eye and shared so much with me over the last few days, knowing that he was holding back.
