Chapter 104 Running
I see the tears leaking down his face. Does he regret his decision? Good! Not that I'll care, or give him a second chance! I just want to know I'm not the only one falling apart right now!
“And to think I was starting to trust you,” I try to sound firm, but my voice comes out weak. I sob at my own weakness. I did more than just trust him. I let him in entirely, and now I'm the one paying the price.
“No... Baby, it’s not what you think... This... it wasn’t my fault,” he slurs. He looks like he is trying to telepathically press upon my mind that this wasn't his fault. But I can't trust him. Not any longer.
Disgust rolls through my belly. It wasn't his fault? Then whose damn fault is it? Is he blaming this on me? Isn't that what James did? Blamed every damn thing on me! And I let him... Until I didn't.
Well, I can't take it any longer!
“Take care of my sisters of me,” I whisper before reaching down and picking up my purse. I turned and run down the stairs. I have to get out of here. Now! I just can't do this any more! I can't live a lie... I won't survive it.
I can hear him calling me to stop from behind me, but why the hell should I. It hurts too much. I don't turn around. I don't confront him and demand answers. I just run away like a fucking coward, because right now it's easier that way. Maybe in a week or so I'll be able to come back and face him... But not now. Not tonight.
I pass Liv in the foyer. She's sitting there on her phone with a sly smile on her face. Did she know about all of this? Why the hell would she even care.
"What the hell's wrong with you?" she demands, looking me up and down. Okay, so maybe she didn't know, because she fucking would've gloated if she had.
"It doesn't matter!" I snarl. I don't have time to sit around and she doesn't even look like she'd care if I told her... I feel bad for not seeing Charlie. I'll call her later...
"I'm going out with Brax tonight!" she calls out just as I make it to the front door. That makes me stop!
"STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THAT BASTARD!" I snarl. I really don't know, but I hate the prick! There is something really wrong with him and I don't want her involved with him!
"MAKE ME!" She shouts back. She's such a fucking child and she doesn't even know it! I want to stand here and yell at her for being an idiot, but I don't. I just grit my teeth and shake my head.
I don't have fucking time for this.
Rick will be able to take care of my sisters. Liv practically worships him and Charlie... Well, she's safe here. He might have lied about loving me, but he better keep his promise to keep my sisters safe!
I don't know where I'm going yet. But I have money enough for a night in a hotel somewhere. When I find something more permanent I'll send for them. For now, they are safer here.
I can hear Rick screaming for me to stop, and if I don't go now, I don't know if I'll have the strength to do it later. I can't let him win. I can't allow myself to give up.
I fling open the door and rush out into the night. I'm so glad I have a coat on right now. It's fucking freezing. I can't stop. I move my feet, determined to put some distance between me and this house.
I pull my key out of my purse as I'm marching my way to my car, when I hear a rustling in the trees.
I freeze.
"Who's there?" I demand, trying to sound brave. I'm not. I'm fucking scared to death. I'm already emotional, I don't fucking want a jump scare on top of that.
A dark figure steps out from behind a tree. I can't see his face. He's wearing a ski mask.
There is something vaguely familiar about his stance and the predatory way he's stalking toward me. Well, I'm assuming it's a he. The figure is taller than any woman I've known, has broad shoulders and a trim waist...
Why the hell am I noticing these details when I should be fucking running for my life?
I turn away and make a dash for my driver's side door, but the figure just traps me against the cold hard metal.
"You really should've stayed away from Richard, Josie. Now you are going to pay for it," he whispered before covering my face with a sweet smelling cloth.
I lose my struggle and all I see is darkness.