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“The kid.” Landon’s voice echoed through my car after switching to Bluetooth. “If he doesn’t already have him, he would be heading for him.”
“Damn. You’re right. Thank you. I’m switching to the walkies. I gotta call the daycare.”
“Alright, I’m just finishing up the BOLO. I’ll put out another for Rose and the kid.” I grunted my approval before abruptly ending the call. Turning the car on before flipping through my contacts, I found the number for Carolina, Rose’s daycare provider. Hitting the number to dial, I threw my sirens on and shifted out of park, heading for Carolina’s place.
14
Rose
My heart poundedas my knowledge of Sage River was tested by this round-about route. I hoped I was zigging and zagging enough that he didn’t realize I was taking him in a huge ridiculous circle.
“And another right here.”
“How far does the babysitter fucking live?” He continued to curse but made another right anyway.
“We’re almost there, don’t get your panties in a twist.” He reached to backhand me, and I dodged him, my eyes flicking to the houses lining the road instead. If Beau wasn’t there already, Dean was going to beat the hell out of me for my snark.
“This house on the left here, with the hay bale on the front porch.” I pointed at Carolina’s place, a tension building in my stomach as Dean pulled into the driveway and parked the truck. Beau’s squad car wasn’t here. I’d wasted all that time for nothing. Had he not noticed I was missing? Did he think I’d just left after all that?
Dean climbed out, pulling the back door open as he reached in. I slid back, trying to avoid him as he grabbed my ankle and yanked me forward. My head slammed down on the other door, sending shooting stars into my vision as Dean pulled me out.
“Act normal, or you’ll regret it.”
“Hard to act normal when you gave me a concussion.” Mumbling, I rubbed the back of my head as I tried to remain steady on my feet before walking slowly to Carolina’s door. My stomach continued to knot painfully as my mind raced, trying to figure a way out of this. If I couldn’t count on Beau to save me, I needed to do something myself.
Reaching her door, I paused on the porch as I glanced back at Dean, searching his waist for where he put the gun. If I could get it off him, I could turn this in my favor. Maybe.
He stepped up behind me, boxing me in with his huge frame, and knocked twice on the door. When he stepped back, he took me with him, my arm in his grip. My heart was in my throat as I stood there, feeling so close to the gun yet frozen. If I moved for it just as Carolina opened the door, would he be distracted enough to let me get it?
Then, the thought occurred to me that Carolina was in danger too. If she tried to withhold Silas, sensing the impending danger, what might Dean do in retaliation?
The door began to open, and my body tensed, not in a good way. Every impulse I had to grab the gun and try to escape him failed me as Carolina swung the door open, a bright smile on her face as she looked from me to Dean and back again.
“You’re here for Silas early, Rose.” She stepped back, holding the door open more. “He’s napping. If you wanna come in, I can go and wake him.” She stood there, looking exactly like she always did—smiley, kind, welcoming.
If she sensed anything was off, it didn’t show. But Dean still didn’t move. This might be my only chance to do something to get us away from him.
“Don’t keep the kind woman waiting, Dean. Go in.” I began to walk forward, a challenge that wouldn’t make him happy. Pulling me back made him seem rude, and he ran the risk of showing his true colors to this outsider—something he never did.
“I was waiting on you, babe. Ladies first and all that.” I glanced over my shoulder at him, feeling icky when he called me babe but just flashed him a grin before going into the house. Carolina stepped back a bit more to give us room in her entryway, and Dean came in behind me, closing the door.
“Alright, I’ll only be a moment. If you wanna get comfy, my living room is through there.” Carolina directed us toward the same room I’d once sat in while I interviewed her for the position of caring for Silas. She was a highly skilled daycare provider, and as far as I was aware, one of the few in town.
Everyone used her, and everyone recommended her. She was beloved.
As I walked into the sitting room, a shadow coming from the attached dining room caught my attention but quickly faded out, and I was left looking at open space.
Dean stuck close to me as he followed me into the room, grabbing my elbow and jerking me back toward him.
“No funny business,Rose. Play it cool, or else Silas will pay for it.” His breath was hot and thick against the curve of my ear, and where Beau’s voice made my stomach coil with desire, Dean’s turned it like a bad tuna sandwich.
But threatening my son to keep me in line? I drew the line there.
Turning to face him, I lifted my hand and pointed a finger right in his face, making him cross-eyed as he stared down at it.
“You think I’m scared of you? You’re the one who should be scared. I’m not the same frightened little girl you picked up off the street. You didn’t save me, Dean. I owe you nothing. And if you think you’re walking out of here with Silas, you’re mistaken. I’ll die before letting you get anywhere near him again.” As I spoke, I stepped closer to him, keeping my voice low and threatening.
Maybe I was being bold because Dean couldn’t, or wouldn’t, do anything while we were in Carolina’s house, but I meant every word I said. I wouldn’t let him hurt Silas any more than he had in the two years I stayed with him. Two years was too long. Never again.
