“I’m dead?”
“I’m so sorry, Soph. But it’s the only way to keep you safe. He got close to killing you this time, and I won’t let that fucker win. But your brother is going to handle him. Once he’s gone, you won’t have to live in fear anymore.” Her lips press in a tight line.
I know exactly what the wordhandledmeans in my world. And that means James is going to be the one dead, not me. “Why isn’t he gone yet?” I have no empathy for him or what’s coming.
“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’s guys for help.”
Tears well in my eyes. “Is that where Ryder is now? When is he coming back?”
It’s not fucking fair. I lose everything, and he doesn’t have to suffer at all. Not one consequence.
“Yes. I’ll text him that you’re awake, and you know he’ll be here sooner than humanly possible.”
I attempt a weak smile until the movement sends shooting pains through my face. I know my brother will take care of me. “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.”
She nods in understanding.
“Who will I be?”
“Sophia Black from North Dakota, aged twenty-four.”
At least I won’t be too far from the truth and I don’t have to be older or younger. “How did I get here, Aubs? I never thought I’d be dumb enough to get in this position or to stay in it.”
“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 are now. Getting you somewhere safe where you can live out your life the way you deserve. As far as fuckingpossible from the Black Key Ranch.” She hangs her head, finding a thread on her hem far too interesting.
Her husband got sucked into the dealings of the ranch’s undercover businesses. Drugs. They took over, and he became an addicted dealer. Just like Hugh wants. Someone who will sell more, do more. But Jack backfired on him. He figured out where it was all stored on the ranch, and he took what he wanted under the radar. Living up his addiction and selling to others. When they found out, they notified Hugh. Someone let it slip to Jack, and he took enough drugs to go out of this world on a high while driving the back roads. But Hugh wasn’t about to let Aubrey go without paying up.
“No where is far enough. Not until Hugh Chiave is dead along with all the assholes under him.”
“I don’t want to leave you,” I say, hugging my brother tight. “What am I going to do without you?”
“You’ll be fine. You’ll have Aubs. And the place you’re renting is close to that big family she has out there. You’ll be much safer than I could keep you here. When I find James, I’ll be able to see you again, and you can get your name back.”
I scoff. “I don’t know that I ever want to be a Chiave again. The name is dishonored as far as I’m concerned.”
Ryder’s face scrunches, his eyebrows furrowing. “I’ll make it honorable again, Soph. I’ve got things in the works. You’ll be proud of it again one day.”
Giving him one final squeeze, I look up at him. “I know you will. And I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
He reaches out, taking my hand in his, and drops a set of keys in my palm. “I got you that Tahoe you wanted. Fully loaded.Most expensive one I could find, on Dad’s dime. Even got the sage green you wanted.”
Tears well in my eyes for the hundredth time since I woke up this morning. “You’re the best big brother a girl could ask for.”
It’s not even about the truck. It’s about how he does his best to keep me safe, doing everything he always could to make our life not suck as much as it had to. I owe so much to him.
“I’m going to miss you so much.” The thought that I won’t be able to reach out to my own brother kills me. He said he’ll contact me on my new phone when he handles what he needs to with James.
“I’m sorry it has to be this way. I’ll get him as fast as I can. Drive safe, and call me from pay phones or borrowed phones until you get back to Aubrey. One of my guys is going to follow you as far as Chicago where someone else will pick up to Maine. But you’ll never be alone even if you don’t see them. And here’s enough cash to get you some hotels. Aubrey has more waiting for you to start your life. But I didn’t want you traveling with all that cash.” He hands me an overflowing envelope.
I suck in a deep breath. “I guess I need to get going then. Got a week of driving ahead of me.”
He gives me a final squeeze before lifting up the few bags I have and bringing them out to my new car.
“See ya soon.” He waves from the driveway of the safe house I’ve called home for a little over a month.
I wave as I back out of the driveway, noticing the non-descript black Yukon following me.
My heart hurts to leave Ryder. But I know he’s doing all that he can to bring me home again.
