Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“They’re gone,” Ruth says. “Everyone took the money, their belongings, and left without question. I didn’t mention your presence.”
“Good.” That’s better than I expected. As my father’s wife, Ruth must’ve held some power over the others. Enough for them to obey her.
She crosses the room slowly, eyeing everything I’ve laid out on the desk but not saying a word.
I clear my throat and nod to the corner of the desk. “That pile is for you. Cash and your papers.” I gesture vaguely at Cain.
Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t reach for the stuff. “Jensen…where am I supposed to go?”
I press my hands against the desk and lean forward. “Start over. Somewhere far away. Where you’ll be safe.” I pull the marriage certificate out. “I wouldn’t go back to your family. They obviously have poor judgment.”
It was supposed to be a weak attempt at a joke, but it comes out harsh.
Tears fill her eyes, but she snaps the paper out of my hand. “What about Jezzie? You can’t raise her by yourself.”
“Don’t worry about my sister. We have family on the East Coast. She’ll be safe.” I shouldn’t have told her even that much. I don’t want Jezzie to have any reminders of this place and that includes Ruth.
“What about you?” she asks.
“What about me?”
“Where will—”
“Don’t,” I cut her off. “I appreciate what you did for me when I was a kid and I hope you didn’t suffer for it, but we part ways here.” I nod to the box. “There should be enough to keep you and your son comfortable while you figure things out.”
“He’s your—”
“Keep him safe. Don’t let anyone put their hands on him.”
“What am I supposed to tell people?”
“About what?” I spread my hands wide. “Say your husband ran off and left you. Just another deadbeat dad. No one should ask. You’ll be far away where no one even knows you.”
She opens her mouth again. Maybe to argue or say thank you. Whatever it is, I don’t let her get out the words.
“Go. Hurry.”
Ruth swallows hard, then holds out her hand for Cain. “Let’s go pack our things.”
Fuck, I’d hoped she was already packed. I can’t shake this sense of urgency. The need to get my sister as far away from this place as possible as soon as I can.
There’s also the issue of the body melting out in the barn I don’t want anyone to find accidentally.
Once they’re gone, I return to the vault, searching for anything that might be important. The items I’m planning to take, I gather into piles on one side. I find another box stuffed with even more cash. Smaller bills this time. I set half aside for Ruth. It won’t make up for snapping at her but it’s all I’ve got.
“Jensen?” Ruth’s soft voice pulls me out of the vault. “We’re ready.”
She pushes the office door open wide. Jezzie and Cain are both with her. Red blurs around the edges of my vision. I wanted Jezzie to stay upstairs. If Ruth thinks she’s taking my sister anywhere she’s out of her fucking—
“Jensen?” Jezzie breaks away from them and slowly approaches. Her hair’s still damp, hanging in loose, stringy, uneven strands around her shoulders. She’s changed into what’s probably her “church” dress. An ankle-length, shapeless white dress with a brown floral pattern. We’ll have to stop and buy her new clothes along the way.
Where the fuck am I supposed to go shopping for a teenage girl?
“It’s really you?” Jezzie bursts into tears as she wraps her arms around me and squeezes tight. Her whole body shakes with the force of the hug. “He…he said you were dead.” She hiccups a breath. “He told all of us the Lord struck you down for your wickedness.” Her fingers clutch tighter at my back. “I missed you so much. I used to pray every night you were out there and you’d come back for me.”
Those final words almost break me. I’d done the same thing after my brothers disappeared. Tears burn my eyes, and I curl my arms around her. I should’ve come for her sooner. I knew how twisted my father was.
“I’m here.” I swallow hard. “I didn’t know. I thought you were…safe.”
“Ruth said we’re leaving?” She pulls back and stares up at me with hopeful eyes.
“Yes. You’re coming with me.”
She hugs me again. “Praise be.”
Well, at least I won’t have to drag her away kicking and screaming.
Outside an engine roars and gravel crunches under tires. Fuck. Did one of them come back? Or did they go to the cops after all?
Not sure what I’ll be dealing with, I return to the vault and grab a shotgun. It’s already loaded and ready to go.
Ruth frowns but doesn’t seem surprised by the gun. “Who is it?”
“No idea.” I nod to the chair in the corner. “Stay here.”