AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be, but I’d rather lay it out and take my chances. Here’s where we’re at, darling.
I didn’t kill Jenna. Once upon a time, I tried to make it work for all of one week. That’s as much as the bitch and I could stand each other. Then she jumped on the highway and crashed in the river. It was so goddamned miserable I tried to forget it ever happened. I lied to myself so long I misled you, and I’m sorry.
I never cut her brakes. She left Mia hungry and ran off a cliff. Ask for the pages your brother omitted if you don’t want to take my word for it. The cops put me through the wringer, and I walked out alive because I didn’t kill her. Their investigation proved it.
Now for the rest: I did cut your brother’s brakes.
You didn’t read that wrong. I wanted his ass dead.
If you want to turn me in, here’s my confession.
I’ve had a vendetta against his lying, scheming soul since the service. His bad intel killed three of my best friends, fellow Rangers, good men who left their families for nothing. He lied to our officers, led us into an ambush, and then called in an airstrike without checking to see if my team was out of the combat zone.
Death wasn’t even the end of it. Their parents, their kids, their widows are still suffering. I was drunk that day on the Fourth and I couldn’t hold it in anymore while our hometown hero passed by. I did something stupid, and he punched me in the face.
I tried to ruin him then and there, without thinking about it, and it backfired on me.
I’ve spent the last few years plotting the best way to get him ever since, to avenge my dead friends and my own fucking name. Until last Christmas, that was my obsession.
Then you came.
You slayed the demons. You gave me hope. You saying yes to being my wife was the best minute of my life. Right up there with the first time I ever laid eyes on my little girl.
You, Red, are the reason Jackson is still breathing. I tried to off him and I couldn’t. Just fixed his shitty brakes instead, then drove his truck to your parents place, safe and sound.
I swore off killing him for you. Hell, I even realized I did wrong.
I still want to get even. But if I ever do him justice, it’ll be legal, proper, and it’ll happen without hurting a hair on his nasty face. Promise.
Also, we’re leaving soon. I’ve got my little girl ready for a long trip. Mia misses you.
So the hell do I.
We want you with. If you’re able to look past his lies, if you can handle my darkest truths, join us.
If you can forgive, even if I don’t deserve it, then I’m ready for anything.
I’d love to have your lips. Still crave them more than air itself on the nights I can’t breathe.
Pretty much every night since I lost you, Sadie.
Make that every night for the rest of my miserable life if it’s really over.
Come see us at the old junction stop by noon if there’s any love left in your heart. Call a cab. We have to leave today and we’ll sort the rest later.
Yours forever,
Marshal
I can’t move until I’ve read it three more times. Then my knees just work like they’re lighter than a cloud. They carry me upstairs.
My hands, light and happy, plow through the mess of my belongings. They stuff the essentials in a suitcase. There’s a shiver up my spine as I slide my ring back on.
I hadn’t realized how truly naked I felt without it. I tuck the note into my purse and sling it over my shoulder.
I pass dad at the base of the stairs. He’s heading up and I’m going to sit by the door, waiting for my ride.
“Where’s the fire, Sadie? Looks like you’re going away for a long time…” He frowns, trailing off.
Crap. I’m caught and I know it. I stand there silently, staring at my dad adjusting his spectacles.
“It’s nothing. Honest. I’ll be home before you know it, dad. I’m…just going into town to unload some junk.” I’ve never been an awesome liar. This comes out so weak, even I’m ashamed.
He lifts an eyebrow. “Sadie?”
There’s no fooling him.
I should’ve known. He’s too experienced for this. Spent too many years unraveling Jackson’s lies, ever since he started acting out in his teens, and then too many more dealing with mom’s torrid half-truths and exaggerations.
“Let’s try this again: I’m going away with a friend. It’s everything going on here, dad. I just need to get away before I lose it. Promise I’ll stay safe. I’ll call whenever I can. It might…honestly, it might be a while.” I look down, wondering if he’ll let it go. “I’m sorry to do it like this, especially today. But, dad, I have to leave now. My mental health is kinda at stake.”
