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She’s going to bolt.
The fear flickers in her gaze again, and she opens her mouth like she wants to say something else, but then clams shut. When she opens her mouth again, the words pour out. “I’m sorry for asking questions. It wasn’t my place to speak. Please forgive me.” The hands gripping Lilah tremor as her gaze fades off behind me to the damn spot on the wall again.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Wasn’t your place to speak?What, you can’t ask questions?”
Her lips are pressed so tightly the rosy red color has turned a pale white. I figure she’s used up her words… or questions, or whatever.
Irritation fills my chest as I take a step away from her. “All right. Towels are in the bathroom. Take whatever clothes you need from the dresser. I’ll be back to check on you later.”
She’s already shaking her head by the end of my sentence. “No. Don’t worry about it. I’ll probably be asleep within ten minutes. I’ll… see you tomorrow or something.”
I lift my eyebrows, not believing her pile of bullshit for a minute, but going along for the ride.
“Yeah, okay. See you later. You need anything, ask. All right?”
“Okay.” She’s already turned and headed for the bathroom. I watch as she shuts the door, giving me one last glance before the door clicks shut and click again when the door locks.
After a beat, I walk out, shutting the door behind me. I make sure to text Charlie to get his ass up here and guard the door all night.
She’s going to be a runner.
But I’m not going to let her go.
8
Ivy
“Mommy, I want to go home.” Lilah whimpers in my arms.
Go home?
I don’t.
Aziel was right, it’s been an incredibly long day. I’m surprised Lilah has lasted this long without losing her shit. But it’s happening now, and honestly, I’m right behind her.
“Mommy, I want to go home!” She slaps her tiny palm on my shoulder, and I want to scream.
“Lilah, stop. We’re not going home. Please, stop. If you’re quiet, we’ll go to a new home, okay? One that’s really fun and we can do whatever we want. How does that sound?”
“I’m tired, Mommy.” She doesn’t care for my ideas. She’s too far gone into her exhaustion.
“Okay, but please be quiet. Can you do that for Mommy? I promise we’ll go to sleep soon.”
“Okay.” She sniffles against my shoulder.
“Okay.” I repeat, and then as quietly as possible, go to open the door.
If all is well, I can hopefully sneak out of here without any issue. I’ll make a dash and we can sleep outside tonight. I’ll treck back to Ohio. I don’t know how.
I don’t know.
All I do know is I’m not going to find myself trapped in another hell or prison I can’t escape from. It’s time to be free.
Free.
I nearly start sobbing at the thought, but with a deep breath, I tip toe across the bedroom that reminds me of a teenage boy. It smells like one, too. The good kind, The rough kind.
Aziel.
