Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
In fact, I’ve been looking forward to it. Looking forward to the day that Levi and I would finally be safe and free from Mikhail.
Smiling at me, Robert gives my hands one last squeeze before he releases them and opens his door.
The interior light flashes on, stinging my eyes.
“Mommy?” Levi says from the backseat, his voice pitched with fear.
And god, how I hate that fear.
I hate that he’s gone through things no child should have to go through. As his mother, I’m supposed to protect him and shield him from all the bad things in the world.
Up until this point, I haven’t been able to do that. But I swear, from this point on, even if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll protect him.
I’ll be the mother he deserves.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I say and hope I come off as comforting as Robert did a moment ago. “We’re just switching cars.”
“Oh… okay,” he says, but a touch of that fear still lingers.
One day, I’ll eradicate that fear, I promise myself and open my door.
Warm, humid air washes over me, and my bones are so cold I find myself shivering as I help Levi out of the car.
“The funds are where we discussed,” Robert says over my shoulder as I buckle Levi into his booster seat in the back of the minivan.
I kiss the top of Levi’s head and he tips his face up, giving me a smile before I hit the button that closes the sliding back door.
“The renters have vacated the house, but the cleaning crew I hired won’t be available until next week.”
I turn to face Robert. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
I’d give him a reassuring smile to wipe that look of worry off his face, but it would hurt too damn much.
Robert opens the driver’s side door for me, and once I’ve settled myself behind the wheel, he points to the screen in the dashboard displaying our route.
“I’ve programmed three different routes into the GPS for you. Don’t try to make the entire trip in one day. Once you’re out of the state, stop to rest as often as you need to.”
I nod my head again as if I’m agreeing, but it’s not likely. I’ll stop for food and bathroom breaks for Levi, but that’s about it. I won’t feel at ease until there are a few hundred miles between us and Mikhail.
And even then…
Robert’s frown of worry turns into a full-blown scowl. “I’m serious, Allison. You’ve been through a lot tonight, don’t push yourself too hard.”
I can’t promise to stop. I can’t.
But I can promise, “I’ll be safe, Robert. I won’t do anything that will endanger Levi.”
Robert stares at me for a long moment, his scowl not budging.
“Is there anything else I should know?” I ask, growing impatient.
I’m not trying to be rude or ungrateful. Lord knows I feel guilty as fuck for getting Robert involved in this mess and putting him in danger, but the longer we sit here, the more likely it is that someone will catch up to us.
Time is of the essence. Our lives are literally on the line.
Robert sighs. “No. Everything is set up just as we originally planned.”
Forcing a smile that hurts like a total bitch, I open my mouth, ready to thank him and say my goodbye, when he adds abruptly, “Wait… Yes, there’s something you should know. Something your parents didn’t tell you…”
He trails off and my entire body goes stiff at the mention of my parents.
“What didn’t they tell me?” I ask when he doesn’t continue.
Robert looks over my shoulder. Sadness then regret washes over his face.
“What didn’t they tell me?” I repeat, my anxiety growing by the second.
Robert jerks his attention back to me. “They didn’t tell you…”
He trails off again and my hands squeeze around the steering wheel.
Then he clears his throat and quickly corrects himself. “I mean, if they were here, they would tell you that they’re proud of you.”
I close my eyes to hold back tears as my throat closes up with sudden emotion.
The pain of their loss is still raw and I haven’t had time to deal with it.
I waste several precious seconds trying to get my emotions back under control.
As much as I want to, now is not the time to break down. Now is the time to get the hell out of this hell.
“Thank you, Robert. I hope you’re right,” I manage to squeeze out of my throat after taking a couple of deep breaths.
Robert nods his head and then he gives me a pat on the shoulder. “Be careful. I’ll check in at our designated time. If I don’t hear from you…”
The words left unspoken settle heavy in my chest, but I give another nod of my head in acknowledgement.
Robert looks over my shoulder. “Be good for your mom, Levi.” Then he looks back to me. “I’ll talk to you soon.”