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Spencer nods a few times, glancing at all of us with a serious expression, “Her son.”
“I don’t take cases with kids,” I reply automatically.
That’s my one hard line. All three of us have one…a limit that we don’t cross. Madd does not take on protection details where there are abusive parents or spouses…he would likely kill them. Seb doesn’t take on ANY case that is in Washington State. And I don’t take cases with kids…I simply cannot focus on the job when a kid is in the picture. Objectivity goes right out the window and my entire focus goes to the kid. Plus, I have a softspot for little humans, and if something were to fucking happen to one on my watch? I don’t know if that is something I would be able to cope with.
“Dakota is also…” Spence contemplates his words carefully, “employed by the Marshal Service. I wouldn’t be doing right by her if I didn’t offer the best team. If you don’t want to take this on, then I can go with Colton’s team.”
I blanch at that. Colton’s team is a fucking joke. Not taking this case would be just as bad as taking it, if not worse. I would be signing up two vulnerable people to have incompetent watchers. Spence really knows how to fuck with my head.
Fucking asshole.
Okay, Spencer isn’t an asshole but doing that to them would definitely be considered an asshole move.
“You can’t give her Colton’s fucking team,” I reply, my mouth gaping like a total dumbass.
Seb doesn’t wait for a reply and barrels forward, “What do you mean she’s employed by us?”
Spence shrugs lightly, “She works some of our…classified data.”
Cause that’s not fucking sus. This whole thing leaves a funky taste in my mouth. A huge part of me wants to tell Spence to go fuck himself, to turn out of this office, and go back to my shitty apartment. But my feet are glued to the floor and my lips are sealed shut. I simplycan’tforce myself to leave when I know it's the wrong answer.
“Go over the file with us,” Madd orders before turning to me, “Think it over while he briefs us, and then make your choice.”
All of us move closer to the desk and lean in, listening to every single word that comes out of Spencer's mouth. I already know with each passing piece of data that I am going to take this job. There’s something about this that just…calls to me.
Chapter 3
Dakota
“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” - Oprah Winfrey
Dave and Lucas had us bundled and in their truck within ten minutes of me letting them know about the message. Our things are all sitting in the house like they were this morning, and we won’t be going back for them. Sure, the guys could have someone grab them but they won’t. We had our go bags, and I made sure to grab my computer equipment. Everything else is a lost cause. I mean everything…dish ware, plants, board games, extra clothes…everything.
We can buy new clothes and the house we end up in will have furniture. We each have one suitcase packed with shit we want to keep and a backpack of necessities. We can’t really worry about the rest of the stuff. It would make it easier for Rodrigo to follow some moving van right to us. So yeah…we just left it all behind. Like we do every single time we are forced to relocate.
Aiden has been completely silent since we left. He’s in the backseat with headphones on while he plays on his tablet and I feel like shit. No nine-year-old wants to move around and beuprooted constantly. I wish things were different and I could give him a normal life but I can’t. He’s such a good kid…he hasn’t complained once. But that doesn’t stop me from noticing the frown on his face or the way his shoulders are slumped in defeat.
Sighing I turn my head out the passenger window before pulling out my phone and texting my only friend in the world.
Kota:I don’t know how much longer Aiden can put up with this. He’s miserable and I’m failing him. Again.
His response is instant like it always is. He’s been in our lives consistently since everything happened. He was the best babysitter we had but promotions were calling his name and he deserved an exceptional career.
Spence:I know it feels like you’re failing but you aren’t. You are an exceptional mom. He’s not mad at YOU. He’s upset with the situation. Which is understandable.
Kota:A situation that is my fault.
Spence:I swear to fuck, Dakota. We aren’t having this argument again. That sick fuck is the only one at fault.
Tears burn my eyes and I quickly glance out the passenger window, blinking furiously so no one will see my moment ofweakness. IknowSpencer is right but that doesn’t change the fact that itfeelslike I am failing. We have lived in five different places in nine years. Maine was our longest-lasting spot. Aiden was making friends and enjoying school, and one fucking message from a psychotic piece of shit ruined that.
I don’t know how one person could focus so hard on ruining another one's life. You would think that over the years he would get bored of the small teenage girl he raped and beat. But nope. He just keeps on obsessing and ruining every chance I had to start over.
Kota:Where are we going this time?
Spence:Lucas didn’t tell you?
Kota:No? He hasn’t really said a word since we bugged out. He’s upset with himself for being at the grocery store when I got the message.
