Page 47 of Fourteen Years

“Stop. You don’t get to keep apologizing for other people’s mistakes. You’re getting out of here too.” her eyes narrowed on my own. “I’m not leaving without you.”

My fingers pinched her chin, tilting her head up.

“You’re my priority. Getting you out and to your girls.Our girls. Is my priority. If you get out that window. You don’t stop and you don’t look around. You run. I’ll work on getting to you. I made promises, Monica. I promised I’d keep you safe and keep those girls safe. You’re my fucking priority. Don’t argue with me about this.”

Tears were trailing down her face, even as she shook her head. But I knew I’d won this battle. I knew she’d listen. Playing the highest card I had with a mother’s children. She couldn't leave them orphans. They each couldn’t lose two parents.

Turning, my eyes scanned the room, looking for anything useful. I saw the wall crumbling and walked over searching for a big enough piece of the cement they’d poured for walls.

“Stand back here.” I ordered, walking over to the window. I peered up out of it, trying to gauge surroundings. Get a feel of where we were located. Drawing my arm back, I threw the cement through the window. As it shattered and glass flew my breath froze. Listening for any movement or commotion to tell me that it had alerted our captors to what we were doing.

I held a hand up, stopping Monica from speaking, as my head tilted. Nothing.

“Come here.” I whispered.

She moved quickly over to me and I couldn’t help it. I drew her into me and tilted her head up kissing her. Her fingers threaded through my hair, holding on tight, and kissing me back with everything that was in her. I could sense her trying to tell me everything we didn’t have time for. I could feel that she didn’t want to let go or stop. I was going to have to be strong enough for both of us.

Moving my large hands down her arms, pulling her back gently, she looked up at me, eyes watery and terrified.

“I’m gonna lift you through the window—”

“Trevor—” she started to argue.

“Hush,” shaking my head, “I’m lifting you to the window and I’ll push you through as far as I can.” I continued. “You’re gonna have to pull yourself out the rest of the way. I don’t know what you’re going into. Just run. Get coverage. Then run. Get as far away as fast as you can. When you think you’ve gotten far enough, run some more. Then get help.”

“Trevor, I can’t just leave you…”

“You can. You’re going to. You have to.”

She sobbed and my heart broke, knowing I probably wouldn’t see her again. See Lacey or Lexi. But I’d be keeping my promise to Paul.

“Tell Lacey to fucking be good and cut you some slack. That’s an order. Tell her I love her. Tell Lexi I love her too. It's going to be okay, Mon.”

My head jerked to the side.She fucking slapped me.

“I’m not the mailman. You’re going to tell them yourself.” She was infuriated, belligerent and crying. Denial was in her eyes. I’d let her sit in it. But I’d said my peace. I knew when it came down to it, she’d tell them.

Leaning down I kissed her again, swiftly, before crouching and holding my hands in a cradle for her foot.

Chapter 28

My head was spinning, disbelieving of the situation we were in. I placed my right foot into Trevor’s hands and stared at him with what I knew was trepidation.

His green eyes never broke contact with mine as he stared at me one more time before he moved.

“You get through that window and run. Don’t just stand there and look down or back at me. I’ll be fine.”

I just stared at him. Then nodded. There was no point in arguing.

“I love you…” I spoke softly. One more time.

He grinned. Despite the seriousness of the situation.

“I love you too, Mon. Now go.” As he spoke he used all his strength to push off, giving me a sharp, sudden boost up to the window. My hands grasped at the sides, trembling. I only made it halfway out the frame and felt broken glass digging into me in places where it hadn’t shattered.

I gritted my teeth, whimpering softly, as I felt Trevor’s hands leave my foot. It was all on me now. Using what little upper body strength I had, I braced my palms on the concrete outside the window and pushed, barely squeezing through.

My frame was so much smaller than Trevor’s. There was no way he could get out the window even if he could manage to get up to it. He’d known it. I blinked against the tears filling my eyes. I couldn’t fall apart.

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