Page 161 of The Company

But he’s shaking his head before I’m even done. “I’m not going back.”

“I’m not going back either.”

He huffs out a small breath of air. I’m not sure if it’s a laugh or a sign of resignation. “Are you hungry?”

I nod.

“What do you want?” He stares at me. Stares into me.

“Pancakes,” I whisper.

“Then pancakes you shall have. I’ll go get them and you take a shower.”

And then he gets up and walks to the table to pick up his keys. “Get up,” he calls as he walks to the door. “I’ll be right back with the food.”

I get in the shower and let the hot water blast down on me. I’m just rinsing off the conditioner in my hair when I hear the room door open and close. I finish rinsing and then step out of the shower, wrapping the towel around me tightly. The room door opens and closes again and I peek my head out of the bathroom. “Nick?”

There’s no one in the room.

“Nick?”

I walk out and spot the food on the table. It’s wrapped up tightly in a plastic bag to keep it warm. But it’s what’s next to the food that stops my heart.

Money.

I walk over and pick it up, counting in my head. Four hundred dollars. There’s a folded piece of paper underneath the money and even though I do not want to pick that paper up and read what he wrote, I know I have to.

My hands tremble as I read his words.

Dear Sash,

I’m so sorry. But you and Harper—you two are the only reason I’m doing this. And if I took you with me, I’d be just as bad as my father. I’d be just as bad as James. I’m coming back, don’t worry. I paid the room up for two weeks and I’ll be back. I’ll find you a home, Sasha. I swear. You’re gonna have that life I told you about. Just stay here. Don’t call anyone. Don’t leave. Just please, stay here so I know you’re safe.

I can’t be your promise, it’s wrong. But you’re the only girl I’ve ever wanted. I hope you know that.

Nick

I cry silent tears as I read it over and over again. I never get dressed, just fall back on the bed in my towel as I try and come to terms with what’s happening to my life.

I am thirteen years old.

I’m homeless.

My family is dead.

James might be dead.

Harper is in big trouble.

My promise walked out on me.

Can it get any worse?

I have no idea how long I lie there before I get up and fish my phone out of my pocket and call Merc.

“Yeah,” he says after picking up on the first ring.

“I need you to come get me.”