Page 13 of Saving Grace

My hand reaches for the knob as doubt creeps in. And my stupid emotional brain overrides my fear. The second the door leaves the jamb, Joel is in my space. Hands clamp down on my wrists with an iron grip. “Half of the money is mine. Don’t care where you got it.”

“But—I told you . . .”

His sarcastic laugh bounces off the tile in the small space. Forced backward, I hit the vanity with my hip.

“Joel, please. Stop.”

“Why? You lie and steal and make me out to be the bad guy, hey?”

“No, I didn’t?—”

“Stop lying!”

“I’m sorry, please!” I lean in, curling into myself, torn between the need to run and my freeze-induced reaction.

His hands snap from my wrists, dragging my bracelet with them. The chain snaps and charms clink onto the tiles. All I can do is hug myself. With nowhere to go to put space between us, I wait, not daring to breathe.

He turns and walks to the bed and snatches up the wad of cash. All of it.

“For lying, this all belongs to me now. And you can stay in this room and wait until Timmy and me are ready for you.”

God, no . . .

I struggle to tamp down the sob clawing up my throat. A mangled whimper slips past my lips. He stalks back to the bathroom, eyes dark and mouth twisted into something cruel.Something I’ve seen on him before. His knuckles smash over my cheekbone a heartbeat later.

I teeter and slam into the vanity. His back is all I see as I slide to the floor. Shock steals the air from my lungs, the burn and ache swelling on my left cheek and eye sending ugly sobs through my chest. I glance around at the shining silver charms and links of broken chain and release a whimper as I scrape them together.

“No. No. No.”

The sun burns through my windshield and sweat trickles over my brow, sinking to my busted face. It stings. I wipe the salty sweat from my face with the hem of my tank top and pull in a ragged breath.

I got out.

Slamming my eyes closed, I force down the fear that’s been repeating on me since his hand met my face. Somehow, I managed to wait him and Timmy out. Once they passed out, I grabbed what I could, the money he’d left on the kitchen table that was littered with bottles.

I got the money back. Well over half, at least. Stole my keys from his front pocket. That act alone almost cost me an aneurysm from the nerves racking my body as I slid a shaking hand into his jeans. Finally, I fired up Blue and got the hell outta dodge.

Not a moment too soon.

That part of my life is done. Boxed up and stored away. Destined to grow moldy and forgotten in some dank, dark attic. Maybe a rat-riddled basement. Never to be bothered with again. After fixing my seat, I lean forward and turn the keys in the ignition. The police vehicle is still behind me. Most likely waiting until I drive away. Evidence there are some good ones out in theworld. I pull onto the highway and adjust my seat a little more, pulling the belt over my chest and clicking it in.

Next stop, Kansas.

Time to get my ducks in a row.

My gun-shy, frazzled, and battered ducks.

Leave.

Find work.

Sleep in Blue until I can find a place to rent.

The job posting I found in Montana sounds perfect. If there’s one thing I can do, it’s clean. I just pray Blue makes it to the mountains. I pray I make it.

I will.

I have to.

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