My chest heaves asI try to suck in deep breaths, swallowing thickly as the smell of blood and smoke invades my nostrils. My heavy arms finally fall to my sides, dropping the bat. I look down at the motherfucker who lays motionless at my feet.
Even though smoke fills the house, I canfinallybreathe. Taking a cautious step forward, I lean down to check his pulse.
This asshole better be dead, ‘cause if he wakes up, I’m fucked.
His eyes are closed and his chest remains unmoving. Placing my fingers to his throat, I hold my breath and wait.One, two, three, four…five. When I feel nothing, I don’t hesitate. I have to go—NOW.
Staying low, I make my way to the sliding glass door off of the kitchen. It’s getting hard to see and even harder to breathe, but I will myself to keep going.This is your one chance to leave. You can’t quit now.Reaching for the door, I grab the handle.Fuck! It burns my palm so badly, my skin immediately blisters.Keep. Going. I look to my right, see a kitchen towel draped over the oven and snatch it. Throwing the cloth over the handle, I quickly pull the door open and crawl outside.
I don’t bother shutting it. The oxygen from outside will help the two-story house which has been my hell burn faster, and hopefully, turneverything remaining inside to nothing but ash. I stand on shaky legs and begin running through the woods. I only stop to turn and make sure he’s not coming after me.
Flames billow from the first floor windows and the open back door, but there’s no sign of him. I turn and continue running, ignoring the branches slapping me in the face and tugging on my hair. I run and run until my foot trips over a large rock and I face-plant into a bush. That’s when the first tear falls. He’s dead—I made sure of it—but it’s like he’s still grabbing at me, trying to keep me in this godforsaken place.
“Fuck. You,” I whisper harshly through gritted teeth. Wiping my eyes, I get up, even more determined to not let this prick continue to haunt me.Don’t stop now.
Eventually my run turns into a walk, and I can finally breathe deeply. The sun is starting to rise through the trees; the smell of morning dew, pine and freedom lingers in the air, but I can’t stop.
I walk for what seems like days, although it’s probably only been a few hours, because the sun isn’t quite at its peak yet. I finally reach the back door of a club just outside of Providence, owned by my father’s best friend and the only person I have left from my childhood, Nick Rossi. Remembering the code he taught me, I knock three times, then once, then four more before the door swings open. Dark brown eyes look down and meet mine as his brows furrow with confusion. His uncertainty turns to rage when he takes in the sight of me.
“If that motherfucker did this to you Elizabeth, you will no longer be able to stop me from bashing his fucking skull in,” Nick snarls as he pulls me inside, locking the door behind him.
“No. I ran.” It’s all I’m able to get out. Don’t get me wrong, I already feel so much better and lighter, but the anxiety of what comes next has me terrified.
“Where is he?” he growls, checking the window to make sure I haven’t been followed.
“He’s gone. The house is gone. I need to get out of here,” I state, shoulders held back and head held high, despite the overwhelming urge to cry.
Pride is all I see on my Uncle Nick’s face as he pulls me into his arms and whispers, “Thank fuck. I’m so proud of you. Your father would be, too.”
A lump forms in my throat and I choke back the tears threatening to spill over my lashes. “Don’t worry. I have everything ready. Let’s get you out of here,” Nick whispers, loosening his hold on me as he starts to guide me down the hallway.
An hour later, I’m showered with a fresh haircut, new clothes and a bandaged hand, standing at the bottom of the stairs of the private plane Nick owns.
“Here’s everything you need. The house is all set and ready for you. A friend of mine will be there to meet you and set you up with some work. Here’s a phone, too. Good luck, Princess. I’m going to miss you.” He hands me the phone and an envelope, then wraps me in one last bear hug. I start to cry, knowing this will be the last time I get to see the only trustworthy person who’s been there for me since my mom and dad died when I was twelve.
“Thank you for everything. I’ll miss you too,” I say choking back a sob.
“Don’t thank me. You’re family; we take care of each other. Now go. Don’t let me hear from you again,” he replies in a cracked voice. He kisses the top of my head and juts his chin toward the door of the plane. I tuckthe thick envelope under my arm, wipe the tears away, and turn on my heel to ascend the stairs.
As I take my seat and press my head against the cool glass, I look out the window to catch my last glimpse of the only family I have left. More tears threaten to fall; I stare at the man who has been like my father for the last fifteen years, knowing I won’t see him again. I can’t come back here ever and that thought shatters my soul. I’m about to leave the only person I had left.
I take one last deep breath, releasing the tension from my body and closing my eyes. It’s for the best. It was him or me—I sure as fuck wasn’t going to let it be me.
Grabbing the blanket from the seat next to me, I pull it to my chin and close my eyes.
It’s over.
I am so…damn…tired.
Chapter one
I wake with ajolt as the plane touches down in my new home, Oregon. Sitting up further, I stretch my arms in front of me and roll my neck. My body protests; my muscles ache and my back is sore from sleeping upright, but I feel surprisingly well rested. I can’t remember the last time I have gotten this much sleep, and frown at the thought.Pathetic.
When the plane comes to a halt, I stand from my seat and make my way out of the cabin. Descending the stairs, I see a black SUV parked on the tarmac with a shorter, middle-aged woman with shoulder-length silver hair standing by waiting. She’s wearing a pair of dark blue jeans, a wine red overcoat and a pair of black ankle booties. As I approach, she offers me a warm smile that reaches her bright blue eyes.
“Hi, Elizabeth? I’m Hazel, Nick’s friend. It’s so nice to meet you. How was your flight?”
“Long, but it was okay. I slept most of it. Thank you for asking.”
