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“Mayhem.” Those were his last, dramatic words before Lance succumbed to his wounds right there, literally on the fucking drive of Ashby Manor.
His last words were not in vain, springing the whole damn family into action. Bonnie stood rooted to the spot with her hands clutching her belly.
“Terry, get a few men and head toward Mayhem. Calvin, get Bonnie back inside with Ma and then grab Lance’s dashcam for details, and I want to know everything.”
I nodded at Jasper’s instructions and paused again to look at Bonnie. She was emotionally fragile and in shock. There would be time for us to talk.
Later.
“All right. I’m on it, Jas.” I took Bonnie’s hand and she jerked it away.
“Don’t touch me!”
I pulled her closer to me, and with a stern voice I said, “Bonnie, now is not the time or the place. Come with me. Now.
This was an emergency, exactly the kind of shit that required everyone to play their parts to perfection. Later we could deal with family drama and conflicts, right now we were all one.
Even Bonnie.
Whether she knew it or not.
Whether she liked it or not.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Bonnie
Three days ago someone drove a car into Ashby Manor. Okay, not into the home itself but into the gate but it felt like the home, at least that was what my nightmares told me every night.
Each night since it happened, I’d had the same dream. I’d be sound asleep having dreams about my skills as a mother and then BAM, a loud crash that shook the whole house. A man with blood spurting everywhere from several holes in his body speaking in short, choppy sentences.
The life leaving his eyes.
I couldn’t stop seeing him, which only made me wish for a painkiller or a sleeping pill, that I couldn’t have. That was something a bad mother would do, and I wouldn’t be a bad mother. Not ever. Don’t worry little one, I’ll be nothing like my own mother. She didn’t take pills, but her abuse was just as bad.
At least that was my plan, I reminded myself as I walked around the guest room and packed up my three pitiful bags. Today was my last day at Ashby Manor. I planned to leave as soon as I found the perfect opportunity, so I’d gotten up early, thanks to another sleepless night, to pack and find my moment. Calvin had looked like he wanted to talk at dinner the other night, so I stuck around hoping for the impossible. Then everything went down, and I knew the chance had passed.
But that was three days ago.
I’d given him three days to speak his piece, to say whatever had him glowering at me over dinner, and then we would say goodbye. It was a good plan.
A simple plan, which increased the odds it would work.
I hoped.
My bags were packed and stacked right beside the door. I was just about to head to the kitchen to grab some breakfast when a knock sounded. I crossed to the door and took a deep breath, hoping it wasn’t Sadie or Kat, trying to convince me to stay. Or worse, Maisie.
Wrong on all counts. “Calvin. What are you doing here?”
“Can we talk?” He looked nervous, which meant it would be a serious talk. I stepped back, motioning him inside as visions of another failed proposal danced in my head.
“What’s up?” I tried to sound casual even though my knees knocked with anxiety as I made my way to the other side of the room to sit on the bed.
“We have some things to talk about.”
“Such as?” There was no way I’d be the one to start this conversation.
Cal flashed a playful smile and raked both hands through his thick red hair, spinning slowly to take in the details of the room as if he’d never been in here before.
“Going somewhere?” he said with a killer grin.
I nodded. “That’s the plan, yes.”
Then his face darkened. “Where,” he growled. “Where the fuck are you running off to this time, Bonnie?” All of a sudden, his tone was angry, almost as though he felt betrayed. That had me leaning back to put some distance between us.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he growled again.
“Okay,” I said warily.
One thing the past few months had taught me was that anybody was capable of anything. It was best to always be prepared, which was exactly why I had to leave. I needed to prove to myself that I could take care of myself and my baby. On my own.
“Well? Where are you going now?” He motioned angrily to my bags beside the door.
“I’m leaving. To start my life.” I didn’t have many of the details outlined but I had the bare bones. “I got a job. It’s at a call center, but it’s all I can get and stay in Glitz. I found an apartment. It’s a month to month lease so I can move when I’m able to,” I sighed. “The neighborhood is low income but it’s not dangerous.”
