In some ways, I thought maybe, just maybe, Jason would forget about me. Find another wife to tramp around with and finally let me go.
“I have to leave.” In hush words, my mouth is like sand.
Logan’s brows turn inward as he follows me to a stand. And when I go to make my escape, he grips my waist, bringing me close. “Wherever you’re going, I’m driving,” he demands.
I close my eyes for a second and take in the feathery breath on my skin. “No,” I tell him, my weight leaning on him. Seeking his strength. “I’m fine now.” But I’m not.
I push out of his embrace, and he lets me. Before he can think of stopping me, I’m gone. In my car. The quick thought tempts me to just keep driving. Don’t look back, but I need my stuff. Then I’m out.
It’s not safe here for me or anyone I care about anymore.
Making it to Lana’s, I storm inside. She sits on the couch, but it’s nothing but a blur as I race upstairs.
“Whoa. Sora, what’s going on?” she yells up, but I don’t pay any mind. I grab my bag from the guest room, stuffing it with whatever will fit.
Where am I going to go?
“Hey.” Lana comes in, pressing a hand to my back. “Sora. You’re scaring me. What’s going on?”
“I have to go. I have to get out of here.” My voice trembles and unreleased tears burn my eyes.
Lana tries reaching for my wrist as I’m frantically trying to stuff my bras and underwear into my bag. “Stop. Sora, please.”
But I don’t stop. I keep going. Grabbing more clothes from the drawers and shoving them inside.
“Sora. Stop!”
This time I do. I pause with my hands tightly fisting a shirt. Tears roll down my face as my best friend pulls me to sit nextto her on the bed. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I thought maybe—”
“Start from the beginning. What happened?” Lana soothes me by playing with a piece of my hair and I close my eyes, letting it calm me.
“He found me.” I glance at her and there’s a panic she forces away.
“Jason?”
I nod. “Yes. And I can’t stay here. Not when he knows where I am.”
“What kind of man is he that you’re so afraid of him?” Her eyes deepen with worry.
She doesn’t know a damn thing, and that’s my fault.
“The kind that holds a great power over me.”
She darts back and forth between my eyes. “I’m not letting you leave. I’m sorry. But you’re my best friend. My sister. You’re staying here. We’ll figure this out together.”
I shake my head. “It’s too risky. He came into the café while I wasn’t there. He knows where I work, Lana,” I say in a pleading, desperate voice for her to hear me out.
She darts between my watery eyes once more. “Sora. What aren’t you telling me?”
God. I want to tell her everything.
So, I give in, a sense of bravery taking over, but I don’t get the chance because there’s a harsh pounding at the front door.
What if it’s him?
Lana quickly rises from the bed, but I grab her wrist. She stares at me with confusion but understanding. “It’s fine. I’ll check first.”
I follow her closely downstairs, hugging my arms to myself and watch as she checks the security app on her phone.
