“Don’t take this the wrong way,” he says, breaking the silence. “I don’t know what you are running from or who, but you’re safe with the Murphys. You can trust them.”
“Why do you think I’m running from anything?” I ask. Did Ronan say something to this man?
“I’m prior military, and I’ve been in this position for ten years. I can tell when someone is on the run. It’s your body language that gives it away. Did Ronan tell you that he can help you?”
“He did,” I say quietly.
“And you don’t believe him?”
“I know that the Murphy family is rich and powerful. But I have no right to bring them into my problems. The people who are looking for us are evil. They don’t play by the rules. I don’t want Ronan or his family to get hurt or in trouble.”
“There’s more to the family than meets the eye. I’m not trying to change your mind. I’m just telling you that you can trust him. He will help.”
We sit in silence for a few more minutes, the city sliding past outside the windows. My thoughts drift back over the last few weeks with Ollie. Every shitty motel room. Every night spent staring at the door instead of sleeping. Every sound in the parking lot that made my heart jump into my throat. The loneliness of it all crashes into me so hard it almost hurts. It’s always been me. I’m the one Ollie depends on. The one who stays awake. The one who makes the plans. The one who keeps going no matter how tired or scared I am.
Ronan’s question comes back to me. Who protects me? I stare out the window because I already know the answer. No one. No one ever has. Until Ronan.
“Mr. Harris.” I hear Taylor call out to me.
“Yeah.”
“We’re here. I have your reservation, so I’ll get you checked in.” He starts to open his door.
“Hey, Mr. Taylor.”
“Just Taylor.” He turns in his seat to face me.
“Do you think we could go back?” I ask quietly. I’d been watching Ollie sleep during the drive. The kid has no idea how upside down his life is. It’s not fair to him to keep running. What happens in a few years when he starts school? When I have to explain why he can’t have friends for long?
“Are you sure?”
“Are you sure they can help me?” I don’t want to start second-guessing myself.
“I don’t know your story, and I don’t have to. I know that no matter what, they can protect you. And I’ll be here as well. I’m damn good at my job.”
“Then yeah, I’m sure.” For the first time in my life, I’m putting trust in someone else. I just hope that I’m making the right decision.
Chapter 11
Ronan
I don’t know how long I stand there staring at the door after Colton leaves, my eyes fixed on the space where he disappeared as though he might walk back through it if I wait long enough. The apartment feels wrong without him in it, too quiet and too empty, stripped of Ollie’s babbling and Colton’s soft footsteps, and I can’t stop the uncomfortable feeling crawling beneath my skin. I don’t understand what happened. Didn’t I tell him that I wanted them here? That I could keep them safe? Why didn’t he believe me? I rub at the center of my chest, trying to lessen the pain. Colton didn’t choose me. Didn’t choose to stay. I replay every interaction, every conversation, down to the sentence structure. Every word spoken. He doesn’t trust my family or me. The more I think about it, the more it hurts.
I take out my phone and text Mom. It’s after two in the morning, so I don’t expect a reply.
Me: They’re gone
I slide the phone back into my pocket and walk to the windows. Have they made it to the hotel yet? A headache is forming behind my eyes. I need some sleep, but I know it won’t come if I go to bed. My skin has that too-tight feeling again. My drug of choice has been ripped from my hands, and I hadn’t even gotten a true taste yet. I’m in withdrawal.
My phone dings. What is Mom doing up at this hour? I pull it out. It’s not Mom. It’s Taylor. He’s just reporting that Colton and Ollie have been dropped off. I don’t want to read it, so I don’t open it to verify. I toss the phone on the couch without opening it. I need a plan to protect Colton and Ollie even if they’re not with me. I log into my laptop to do just that. For the first time, my fingers tremble as I type. The one thing that I have always found comfort in doing is causing even more heartache.
A knock at my door pulls me from my thoughts. I check the time. It’s 3 AM. Who the hell is it? I check the video monitor on the door. Colton stands there with Ollie asleep in his arms. I open the door so fast I’m surprised it stayed on its hinges.
“Hey,” he says.
“You came back,” I say. He came back to me. The tension that I had been holding since he left uncurled from my gut. The relief isn’t instant like I thought it would be. I need answers.
“Yeah, does your offer still stand? If you changed your mind…” He breaks eye contact with me, looking down. A throat clears, and that’s when I noticed Taylor standing behind him.
