Page 83 of Heartless Game

“Just saw some—not possible. Stay here, I’ll be right back,” he said, not even bothering to look back at me and make sure I stayed like a good little prisoner as he practically sprinted down the path and out of sight.

Perfect.

I hurried in the other direction, back into the building toward the women’s bathroom. I could always say I needed to pee, and the sound of running water would cover up whatever conversation I had.

Entering the bathroom, I locked the door, apologizing silently to anyone who might have to pee between classes. But they could go up a floor.

Flipping open the burner phone, I pressed the buttons for my mother’s number, letting it ring three times before hanging up. I did it two more times. It was my signal to her that I was calling when I couldn’t use my own phone.

Finally, on the fourth call, she answered on the first ring.

“Tovahleh?”

“Hi mom,” I said, trying to hold back the tears at finally hearing her warm if worried voice.

“Oh honey, thank god. I haven’t heard from you in days. How are you? Why aren’t you responding to your texts?”

Shit, how did I explain this without terrifying her?

“I lost my phone,” I finally said. “And I haven’t been able to afford a new one. I’m so sorry.”

She exhaled. “So you’re okay?”

I choked on a laugh. “Yes, I’m okay.”

If being okay meant being sexually edged and denied orgasm for days by your former and maybe current greatest enemy who claimed he knew your secrets but only seemed to know some of them and spent the same amount of time tormenting you as he spent protecting you. And wondering if you were falling in love with him, each time he opened up to you more. Then sure, I was okay.

But I needed to lie.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “Wait, why do I hear other cars? Are you on the road?”

“Honey, I’m fine,” she said, clearly trying to keep me calm. “The neighbors told me some strange men showed up outside the house I’m staying in and asked some concerning questions. I packed up our things and changed the plates on the car. It’s time to go on the run again. I think San Diego might be nice for a while.”

She laughed, but she also sounded like she was crying.

The room started spinning around me. “Did you see the men?”

“No. But I wasn’t taking the risk. Maybe you should take a leave of absence and come meet me here, Tovah. Warm weather will be lovely. And then I’ll know you’re safe.”

I clenched my teeth. As scared as I was, as much as I’d like to see my mother, I had to see this through. Had to get to the root of the Silvers’ crimes and expose them once and for all. I couldn’t go to her, not when the most important thing for me to do was protect her.

Besides, I doubted Isaac would let me get away that easily. If I tried to run, he’d chase me, and all I’d end up doing was lead him and his family directly to my mom.

And, if I were honest, the thought of leaving him made my heart feel like it was ripping apart.

“I can’t, mom,” I told her. “I have too much to do here.”

“School doesn’t matter as much as your safety, darling,” she argued.

She was right. But there was nothing else I could say. “I’m being safe, I promise.”

“Tovah—”

“Mom, I have to go,” I lied. “Someone’s coming. You be safe, too, okay? Let me know when you’re safe. Make sure no one is tailing you. Switch the car out as soon as you can.”

“I know, honey,” she said. “I taught you those tricks, remember?”

I did remember. All the times we’d been on the run together were embedded into my brain, a lifetime of cautiousness and fear and never, ever feeling free.

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