Page 5 of Gideon

“Hey, sweetie, your mom is on the phone.”

“Mommy,” Haley said and started crying and had to stop talking. “I thought Grandpa killed you.”

“Baby, we will never worry about Grandpa hurting us again. We will move far away from him. I will make sure he never finds us. I’ll see you soon, sweetie. Mommy loves you.” She looked over at me. “Where is she?”

“California. We’ll drive—it’s too risky to fly. I haven’t slept in a few days. We have to get a room in the next town.”

“I can drive; I don’t want to stop. I need to see my daughter.”

“How long has it been since you’ve slept?”

“What does that have to do with anything? I’m not sleepy.”

“I am sleepy and can’t sleep when someone else is driving.”

“Are you saying that because I’m a woman?”

“Hell no! I’m saying it because I’m always the one who drives.”

“That’s crazy. I assure you I can drive as well as you can. I’ve been driving since I was sixteen. I don’t mean to brag, but I’m probably a better driver than you are.”

I chuckled. “I doubt that. I had to investigate your father-in-law to find his address. And some things about Gavin came up. Who shot him?”

“His fucker of a father had him killed because Gavin left home at eighteen and refused to speak to him. Gavin never told me about his family. His father told me everything about the family. I’m sure he’s angry because Haley got away from that guy. She is so smart. I’ve taught Haley street smarts when no one was looking.”

“Yes, I noticed that about her.”

I started shaking, and then I began to cry. I cried until he started patting my back; I tried to talk to make him understandwhy I was crying. I was crying because my baby was safe. She was alive, and so was I. That bastard didn’t kill me and take my daughter away from me.

The dog in the back seat licked my cheek. I chuckled before I reached back and hugged him. “Thank you, Bear. I needed that kiss.” I sniffed, and then he handed me some tissues. I blew my nose. “I guess I am pretty tired. Maybe I do need some sleep. Could we stop at a Walmart? I need some clothes and a few other things.”

“You can’t use any cards and throw your phone out the window and into the water as we go over the bridge. They might be able to track your phone. I’ll lend you the money for whatever you need.”

“Thank you. I guess that’s how he always found us; he tracks my card, maybe even my phone. That’s why Gavin didn’t spend any of his money. He knew his dad would trace it. I don’t know why I never thought that before. Jonah took all of my money and gave me a card.”

3

Gideon

After Laney purchased some essentials,we drove for another two hours before stopping for the night. The motel had one room left—a king bed—which we accepted. I was so exhausted that I knew I'd sleep soundly.

“You don’t have to worry about me trying anything; I could fall asleep standing up. The bed is big. You’ll have your side, and I have my side,” I said, yawning.

“Fine, I trust you. I will sleep soundly myself,” she replied.

Earlier, we had picked up sandwiches from Subway, so we ate them before settling in. After Laney showered, she emerged from the bathroom looking like a different woman. She had removed an unflattering red wig, revealing short blonde curls that bounced around her head. She also took off the fake glasses, exposing striking emerald green eyes. Despite a black eye from that bastard hitting her, she was undeniably beautiful. Dressed in comfortable pajamas from Target, she climbed into bed.

I lay there for about an hour before I slept, and when I woke up, I was hard, and my leg was thrown over Laney’s body, and my hand was under her shirt, holding a perfect-sized breast. My eyes flew open, and I jumped out of bed.

“God, I’m sorry. I swear I had no idea what my body did in its sleep,” I stammered.

Laney woke up when I jumped from the bed, looking confused. She glanced down at her breast, and we both noticed her nipples harden. She grabbed some clothes and walked into the bathroom. I hurriedly dressed, gathered my things, and took Bear for a walk. After ensuring no one suspicious was around, I returned to the room to find Laney packing up her belongings.

“Are we ready?” she asked.

“Yep,” I replied.

We walked outside and got into the truck. We drove until ten, and I had to stop and get something to eat. I pulled into the pancake house. When I got out, I called River and handed the phone to Laney.

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