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“Any idea where you want to go? You’re welcome to stay with me and Darlene.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t. I don’t want to put any of you in danger. If I stay with you, word will get out.” Sissy shook her head. “It will be better if I do like Cole told me to and find a hole in the wall motel to hide out. I’m just trying to figure out where in town I can go where Daddy is least likely to find out.”
“Why stay in town?” Corey glanced at her as he pulled out of the parking lot, then back to the road as he pulled onto the street. “For that matter, why stay in Alabama?”
Sissy stared at Corey for several seconds. Had he forgotten that they’d just left her car behind.
“Because I have no way to get out of Alabama, I have no way to get out of Mobile.”
“Pascagoula is less than an hour away, and is not just a different city, but a different state. Your father’s influence may stretch, but it will be less threatening that far away.”
“I just left my car behind. I have no way to get there.” It wasn’t that she didn’t see the logic in getting out of town, but if she couldn’t hire a cab, or an Uber, how would she get there?
“I’ll take you.”
Sissy shook her head again. “I can’t ask that of you. You have a family. I can’t put you in danger.”
“I need to go pick up some parts over there anyway. I was going to send one of the other boys, but I can go instead. I’ll take you, make sure you’re somewhere safe to hole up until Bubba gets here.”
Sissy slid her sunglasses back on her face and looked away as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. “What will Darlene say if you’re seen at a motel with another woman in Pascagoula?”
“She’ll ask who it was, and I’ll tell her the truth.” He waved one hand in her direction. “About all of this. But it won’t go any farther. She and Becky Lynn were close. She’d been trying to get Becky Lynn to leave her husband for years. She’ll be glad you’re getting away while you still can. And she’ll be thrilled to know you’re with Bubba.”
“All right. If you’re sure.” Sissy turned and watched out the window as Corey manned the wheel taking her away from the place she’d once felt safe.
ChapterThree
Bubba was on the east side of San Antonio when his phone chirped. He’d pulled off for gas and coffee and was just climbing back into the truck when he heard it. He checked the screen and found the message was from the same number Celia had called from earlier. Why hadn’t she gotten a disposable phone like he’d told her to?
The message was an address in Pascagoula. She’d gotten out of Mobile. Smart move on her part, except someone as connected as her father would find her in no time with her phone. He shook his head and hit the road. The faster he got there, the better.
He waited until he’d made it onto I-10 and all the way to the left-hand lane where he could step on it and make the best time then hit the screen on the dash to dial the number Celia had called from.
“Hello? Cole is that you?”
“I hope to God you’re on a disposable phone, Celia. Because if you’re on yours, your daddy’s gonna find you before I can get there.”
“I’m not — I mean I am. On a prepaid phone. You’re the only person who has this number. Well, you and Corey. I called him with it earlier too.”
“So that’s how you got my number. I’d wondered.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know who else to call.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m glad you called. Tell me a few things first.” He asked where her car was, about her phone, everyone she’d talked to and how much cash she had. Relief washed through him that she hadn’t called Corey or him with her normal phone. He silently thanked Corey for making her leave it in the car too and for the suggestion about the plane tickets. He deliberately didn’t ask what had happened to make her decide to get out, he didn’t want to get into that while she was alone in a strange place. He would find out once he got there or on the way back. They talked a few minutes longer, he told her to call for something like pizza, give a fake name and pay with cash rather than go out somewhere, even in Pascagoula. Then told her to be safe and he’d see her soon. Once they were off the phone, he focused on the road. He wanted to make it to the other side of Mississippi by midnight.
* * *
Bubba pulled into the parking lot at the address Celia had texted him and looked around. He didn’t know if she had chosen it or Corey had, but Bubba had to admit, Celia’s daddy would never look for her here. This place was only slightly nicer than the ratholes he’d been living in for the last two years. He found the room number she’d given him and parked in front of it, then reached over the seat and grabbed the jacket he kept in the back seat and pulled it on. It was too hot for it, but he’d rather not flash the pistol in a holster under his arm if he didn’t have to. Better to keep that as a surprise in case he needed it later.
At the room, he knocked and waited, thinking he should have called when he’d reached town. What if she was sleeping and didn’t hear him? A couple moments later, his fear vanished when she opened the door. The room was dim, and the light outside even dimmer, he didn’t see her well until she stepped back to let him in. He stepped inside, closed the door, and turned to face her.
“Tell me what happened,” he said, watching her back as she went to one of two double beds. Her stiff and careful movements told him she was hurt, but he didn’t realize how bad until she turned and sat. When he caught his first clear view of Celia’s face. A pounding thundered in his ears. Bubba clenched his fists as he held back the desire to rip someone limb from limb.
One eye was black and so swollen it was a wonder she could see out it. There was a nasty cut on the other cheekbone and Bubba couldn’t help but wonder if this was her face, what else had happened to her?
Bubba clenched his fists and fought back the haze of red that threatened to take over his vision as he held back the desire to rip someone limb from limb.
“Celia, sweetheart.” Bubba fought to keep his voice soft and his movements slow as he approached her. He reached out and with a carefully flat hand, tipped her head back. “Who did this to you?”
