Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
The car parked across the street and far enough down the block I almost couldn’t see it anymore. I stepped to the side to get a better view and watched the driver’s-side door open. A second later, my heart jumped into my throat and my stomach turned as my brother’s tall body unfolded from the car.
He stood at the side of the road and pulled sunglasses down over his eyes. He glanced at the phone in his hand and then looked up and down the road.
“Shit,” I muttered.
Pushing away from the wall, I turned and headed further into the library. In my haste, I ran directly into a woman carrying an armful of books, sending them scattering across the floor.
“Hey,” she said angrily. “Watch where you’re going.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
Or at least, I thought I did. My voice was shaking so much I didn’t know if it had actually formed a cohesive word. I crouched down and helped her gather up the books, the illogical, fleeting thought rushing through my mind that I hoped Jack hadn’t heard the books fall.
That was the kind of fear he and my family struck through me. The fear I’d been running from for so long. And now it looked like they’d caught up with me.
I wasn’t going to give up so easily. I’d already gone through so much. Now wasn’t the time to just walk out of there and hand myself over.
When I’d grabbed up enough of the strewn books to feel like I’d at least gone through some of the motions to look apologetic, I stuffed them back into her arms and got to my feet. Without another word, I rushed through the library toward the back exit.
The door at the back led into a small courtyard and garden where people liked to bring books to read or sit in the large wooden gliders and do crossword puzzles. During my first days in town, this was the only place I ever stayed outside for more than a few moments. It seemed concealed enough that I felt safe but still let me not be stuck pacing through the confines of my room.
It was empty now. That meant I didn’t feel as exposed running for the low black cast iron fence surrounding the area. There was a gate, limiting access to and from the area to the doors I’d just walked out of. I launched myself up and over the top of the fence and started running as soon as my feet hit the ground.
Avoiding the street where I had just seen my brother, I ran down an alley behind the library, then toward the other side of the rental building. I used my access pass to get inside and forwent the elevator.
Reaching the landing of the floor where my room was, I looked out through the window in the middle of the door to scan the hallway. It was empty, and after a couple of seconds to brace myself, I burst out into it and ran for my room. The door was still closed, and just for good measure, I wiggled the doorknob to make sure it was locked.
I still prepared myself, putting up my guard as I fumbled with my key trying to unlock the door. When it was unlocked, I pushed the door open and stood in the hall for another second, waiting to see if anything was going to happen. It stayed quiet, and I knew I didn’t have any more time to spare.
Running inside and locking the door behind me, I went into a frenzy packing everything I owned into my two duffle bags. It wasn’t much, but I could still feel the time ticking away as I gathered everything and waited to hear footsteps on the other side of the door.
Finally, I was ready to leave. My caution gone, I burst out of the room and ran down the hallway without bothering to lock up again. It wouldn’t matter. As soon as Jack had confirmation that was where I was staying, he was going to get inside. And when I wasn’t there and it was empty, he would know I was on the run again and the hunt would be once more.
I didn’t have anywhere to go. I couldn’t go to any of the hotels or try to rent another place. There was only one thing that came to mind.
Tossing my bags into the backseat of my beat-up old car, I jumped behind the wheel and floored it to the vineyard. It was definitely not liking the speed, and it had an ominous shake that told me at any second, it could just crumble into its various parts and pieces. But if it could just give me a head start, I’d be grateful.
My hands gripped the wheel as tight as I could as I drove, praying with everything I had that Derek was as kind as he seemed on his good days.