AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh my gosh, baby girl, is that you?” Her tone is incredulous; her tears audible in the shakiness of her voice.
“Yes, mom, it’s me. I’m with Max and Darin.”
“Oh baby, I can’t wait to see you.” Excitement mixes with her tears. “We are on our way.”
“I’m going to stop for coffee and donuts.” Darin puts his turn signal on, spotting Maple Valley Donuts ahead on the left. “Do you guys want coffee?”
“Sure. That sounds great.” Jack says.
“Okay. Love you.” Jack and Rosalyn’s voices mix in unison before they hang up.
As I end the call, my heart squeezes inside my chest. It sucks it took this tragedy for me to grow close to Irelynn’s parents, but I’m glad they have accepted me.
Handing Irelynn’s phone to her, she gives me a smile. Reaching into the front pocket of my hoodie, she grabs my phone, along with two… syringes?
My brows wrinkle with confusion as I look up at her.
“Oh… yeah, I’m not sure what is inside. Some guy named Trevor was guarding me and after I found your phone, I noticed these syringes in William’s desk drawer, so I took them. I injected one into Trevor’s neck.”
Darin’s head swivels to her. “Bad ass, Irelynn.” He holds up a hand and she gives him a high five.
Taking my phone from her hand, I give her a reassuring smile. “We can have it tested to see what is inside the syringes.” I take them from her hand. “And baby… I always knew you were badass. You just proved it to everyone.”
Lifting one shoulder in a modest shrug, she says, “I did what I had to do to get back to you.”
Darin pulls into a parking space, turning off the ignition. I open the door and Irelynn shifts so that she can climb off my lap. My hands hold on to her as her feet hit the pavement. Her gaze rapidly scans the parking lot as I climb out behind her.
Shutting the door, I put my arm around her. “You okay, beautiful?”
Inhaling the brisk night air, she nods. “It’s just a little… odd. Having freedom again.” Her eyebrows draw together and she shivers slightly. “I’ve been outside some, but my feet haven’t touched the ground since the failed escape attempt I made.” Biting her lip, she casts me a worried glance.
“Baby, you can tell me all about it later, okay?” Squeezing her against me, I place my finger beneath her chin, pulling her face up so she can look into my eyes. “And you didn’t fail. You tried. That takes guts, baby.” As we move toward the door, I lean down, kissing her cheek.
“Thank you, Max.” She tightens her hold on me as we reach the door. “You always know what to say to ease my worries.”
“That’s what I’m here for, beautiful. To make every single day better for you.” I hold the door for her and she leans on her tiptoes, kissing my cheek, before lowering herself and stepping through.
“I’ve missed that. And so many other things.”
Holding her hand, I raise it to my lips, kissing it gently. “We will make up for every single thing you missed. I promise you.”
Her body relaxes and she smiles, her face lighting up. “Yes, we will.”
We order coffee and donuts to go. I can tell something is wrong with Irelynn, although she’s not saying anything.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” I whisper into her ear discreetly, not wanting to draw more attention to her.
Her eyes dart around. “I have to use the restroom. But I’m… scared.”
“I’ll go with you. And if you want me to check or go inside, I will.”
She gives me a relieved look and nods. I motion to the restrooms when I meet Darin’s concerned gaze, and he nods in understanding.
I pull open the door, checking things over, keeping Irelynn’s hand in mine. They are empty.
I head to the door, standing against it. She gives me a slight smile, then heads inside a stall, closing the door.
Running my hand through my hair, I grit my teeth together. I knew being captured would affect her. It breaks my heart seeing her this fearful.
