“If you try, I’ll start with that little boyfriend of yours. I know where he lives, where his grandfather works, and can make him wish that he never met you. And if that doesn’t work, then I will start slowly destroying your grandparents’ farm and?—”
“I get it!” I cut him off, not wanting to hear any more of his sickening threats. “I won’t run away again.”
Please just let me go to my room.
“And if you even think about getting the police involved in this, think again, sunshine, because I got men on the inside, and there isn’t anything the police can do to me. So, you’re better off keeping your mouth shut and keeping your mother happy. Understand?”
I nod because it’s all that I can do. He gives me ahumphbefore I hear the door unlock. I’m quick to remove myself and rush toward my window. He watches me, making sure that I get back inside before he shuts his door and walks into the house. As I close my window, I make sure to push my dresser in front of my bedroom door.
I don’t care that he can keep me here. It doesn’t mean that Ican’t have a barrier between him and me. Once I feel like I’m safe, I pull out my phone and dial Ryland’s number again. He picks up on the first ring.
“I’m outside.”
“What?” I whisper, covering myself with pillows in hopes that it’ll keep them from hearing me.
“We can run away. I’ll get you far from here, I promise.”
I close my eyes and can picture how perfect that would be. But it can’t happen. Davis will never allow that to happen. And that realization finally crushes me.
“Ry—” I say before a sob escapes my lips.
“Raine, please.” I can hear the fear in his voice. “I can’t stand the thought of not being able to protect you.”
“He threatened your family. He threatened my grandparents and their farm. He threatened you. I can’t…” I exhale, trying to find the right words. “I have to stay. It’s the only way to keep everyone safe.”
“He can’t do anything if he’s behind bars. We can go to the police, show them the bruise on your arm, and they’ll arrest him for abuse. You’ll be safe.”
“But he said the police can’t touch him.”
“What?” he says in defeat.
“The police won’t help. I have two years until I’m eighteen. I can put up with him until then.”
I hear the jingle of his keys in the background and the loud exhale he releases out of frustration. “You shouldn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but it’s the only choice we have right now. Okay? Just promise me you’ll get home safe and let me know when you get there.”
“I really don’t want to leave you.”
Luke, who I consider more than a best friend…he’s family…left me behind tonight. But here is Ryland, someone who has made such a large impact on my life in a matter of a few years, refuses to leave me. I’m falling for him.
I’m in love with Ryland.
I want to tell him, but I keep the words lodged in my throat. Instead, I say, “I know. Thank you. You came to my rescue, and I’m forever grateful for you.”
“Yeah, some rescue it was.”
“I mean it. I’ll take you up on that getaway when I’m a legal adult,” I promise, meaning every word. I have two years to form an escape plan, and I’m going to make sure I get as far away from here as possible. It’s not just for myself anymore.
Chapter Sixteen
Now
Ryland
The strong aroma of ground coffee beans drifts in the air, soaking into my clothes as I close the front door behind me and make my way toward the front counter. The smell of coffee always brings me a sense of calm, and that is exactly what I need this morning.
The usual gentle murmur of voices can be heard above the stomach-churning sound of the coffee machine as it struggles to produce the hot steaming liquid beloved by the customers, and the soft sounds of Fleetwood Mac flowing from the speakers immediately remind me of Johanna and her love for the band.
