“Hey, hey. Don’t worry, relax, breathe.” I suck in a breath, and exhale it slowly as she follows my movements. “Ryder has us at a safe house about three hours from the ranch. There’s a private doctor that works for him that’s been coming to check on you. You have six broken ribs, a concussion, and a fractured eyesocket.” She reaches up to touch her eye, but I stop her. “Don’t touch it, girl. It’s still really swollen and the doctor said your vision might be blurry for a few weeks.”
“How long?”
“It’s been almost a week. The doctor kept you under for a bit to help your body heal a little. They stopped the sedation last night.”
“Where’s James? What does he know?”
I grimace. “Well. That’s kind of the thing. To the rest of the world you’re dead. Sophia Chiave is no longer. Ryder is working on a plan for you to escape James and Hugh. I think you need to come to Maine. With me. I know a place that you can rent for cash, and you won’t need to prove who you are if I give the reference.”
“I’m dead?”
“I’m so sorry, Soph. But it’s the only way to keep you safe. He came too close to killing you and I won’t let that fucker win. But your brother is going to handle him. Once he’s handled you won’t have to live in fear anymore.” My lips press in a tight line.
“Why isn’t he gone yet?” Of course she picked up on what I meant byhandled.
“He’s in the wind. Ryder can’t find him. Seems your father helped him when he came home and found you missing. He knew he really fucked up this time when he saw Ryder’s crew coming down the driveway. He fled out the back and straight to Hugh.”
Tears well in her eyes. “Is that where Ryder is now? When is he coming back?”
“Yes. I will text him that you’re awake and you know he’ll be here sooner than humanly possible.”
She attempts a weak smile. “I don’t want to leave until I’m healed. I don’t want to explain everything to all the new people.Especially in your nosey town.” I nod in understanding. If anyone gets starting over, it’s me. “Who will I be?”
“Sophia Black from North Dakota, aged twenty-four.”
“How did I get here, Aubs? I never thought I’d be dumb enough to get in this position or to stay in it.” She closes her eyes, trying to figure out her predicament.
“Not one woman in your spot is dumb. It’s not your fault and no one is here to judge you. We just want you to be safe. And that’s where we’re at now. Getting you somewhere safe where you can live out your life the way you deserve. As far as fucking possbile from the Black Key Ranch.” I hang my head, focusing on a thread hanging from my shirt.
“No where is far enough. Not until Hugh Chiave is dead along with all the assholes under him.”
Normally I’m not a violent person, but this time…
I agree.
Aubrey:How is Lily doing? Sophia woke up today. She’s doing better.
Me:She’s fantastic. Misses you, but gets lots of love from Mimi K.
Aubrey:I can’t wait to see her. Sophia’s doing so much better. So I booked my flight for tomorrow. Ryder will be back tonight.
Me:I’m so glad she’s doing better.
Aubrey:I do need another favor though…
Me:What’s that?
Aubrey:She needs a place to stay. One that won’t question a name with a lack of rental history. One that will accept cash and not ask too many questions.
Me:You want her to stay at the inn?
Aubrey:I was kind of hoping you could ask Wyatt about the little home Evelyn had stayed in? She mentioned the person staying there short term just moved out at our last girl’s night.
Me:I can. But how are you going to hide that she’s your best friend?
Aubrey:Have you met your sisters? She’ll be adopted into the group in less than a day. We can just pretend that we hit it off.
Me:Okay. Tell me the new back story.
