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“She sounds like a wonderful woman. I’m sorry you lost her,” she whispered.
“Thank you, my sweet girl,” I answered.
I glanced out the window, noticing that we had left the city and were sailing down the highway. James’ place wasn’t that far, but it was far enough away from my home that I knew she would be safe there.
“Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?” I questioned again. She had relaxed against me. Any injuries could have been masked by the adrenaline of needing to get out. I could feel the soreness from the jump onto the van radiating through my limbs. I knew it would only get worse tomorrow.
“Yeah. Nothing other than my ankle and that’s already feeling better,” she grinned. She made a point of rolling it just to show me. I watched her closely, but there was no sign that it was causing her any real pain. She didn’t even flinch.
The car took the next exit, and we entered a guarded community. Frank drove through the twisting hills until he pulled into the paved driveway of James’ mansion. The house was well lit, showcasing the multiple levels and impeccable landscaping of his home even in the dark.
“Wait for me. I’ll be back shortly,” I directed Frank.
When I opened the door, Ava tried to climb off my lap. I didn’t let her go, both because I didn’t want to and as a form of control. She pouted a little when I refused to put her down, but I paid her no mind as I carried her up onto the front porch. The massive oaken door opened before I could knock.
James stood in the foyer with a massive grin.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, my old friend,” he declared. His brown eyes sparkled. It had been a few years since I’d seen him. His hair was peppered with gray now, but it gave him a distinguished air that he hadn’t had in his younger days.
“I need your help,” I said quickly.
“Well then, you’ve come to the right place,” he responded. He raised a single eyebrow as he glanced at the bundle in my arms and back at me.
