Page 88 of Stay With Me
“And can they make contact? What about any newborn babies?”
“No, we’re not allowed to call her Mother anymore since she’s a part of a new family unit. As for newborns, if no one with the original family is nursing, they’ll go with the mother until they are of age to ween.”
“Just like that?” Am asks.
“Just like that. We knew no different. If Father told someone to do something, we… just did.” I wring my hands in my lap.
“Damn,” Pam says softly.
“Jess was significantly younger than you when you left. How do you think she got away and found you?” Thorne asks me.
“I’ve been asking myself the same thing, but I didn’t want to push so hard that she would shut down. I was hoping she would tell her therapist, but she hasn’t brought it up yet. I’ve been very careful, and this is the longest I’ve stayed in one place. My PO box is always set up a town over in hopes it takes someone longer to figure out where I am since I also get paid under the table.”
“Did you ever tell Aspen exactly where you were? Where you worked? Maybe your favorite place to eat in town?”
I close my eyes to try and think.
Did I ever mention that? What would I have talked about?
My eyes snap open. “I talked about Ann and Joe. Just telling her that I found a safe family to stay with and that I might stay longer than I normally would to try and save up more money to get her and Jess out of there. Do you think they found out and hurt Aspen to get information?” I ask, my heart twisting in my chest.
“Listen to me, my Lunabella. It’s not your fault,” Noah whispers in my ear, wrapping his arm tighter around me. “Sadly, people like this Father guy don’t like being told no. You leaving was the biggest no you could give him. I don’t think anything you could have done would stop this day from coming.”
“He’s right,” Hunt says. “You’re a prize to him. In his mind, without you, his son cannot ascend to the level he predictedsince you were the chosen one. It was when he found you, not an if.”
I rub my palms on my thighs as the truth of the inevitability sinks in. “What are the next steps? Noah told me they left Utah. Is there evidence they’re here? Do Jess and I need to go into hiding and leave town?” My mind is running wild with questions.
“For now, we keep investigating. I don’t think protective custody is needed since you live with a cop, but if you don’t feel safe here, then we can look into that,” Thorne says, looking between Noah and me.
I turn to Noah, his eyes pleading with me to stay. “As long as there’s no immediate danger to Jess’s life, we’ll stay,” I say to the agent without breaking eye contact with Noah.
He cups my neck as he pulls me close and gently kisses me. “I will take care of you two,” he says against my lips and pulls away.
“I know” is all I say because it’s true. I know he’ll do everything in his power to keep us safe.
“That part is settled, then. Now, to be honest, I can’t tell you if they’re on their way here or not. They’re doing a good job staying off the radar, but if you or your sister can think of anything or maybe a location they might head to, let us know. Noah has my contact information, but I want you to have it as well so you can call me any time,” Hunt says.
I nod and pass my phone over the table to him so he can add his and his team’s information.
Hunt adds my phone back to me. “If you think anyone else needs my number just in case something happens and you can’t call, feel free to give it to them.” Hunt flicks his eyes to Pam before looking back to me. “If there’s nothing else, we’ll get out of your hair. It’s been a long day, and we still have to check in at the bed-and-breakfast.”
“Well, Jess and I will see you tomorrow since I work. Joe and Ann will treat you right, and you won’t find better food,” I tell him as we all stand.
After goodbyes, the agents leave, Pam and Am not far behind them.
“Do you know what time Jess will be home?” I ask Noah as he comes out of our room in workout clothes.
“Sam said he’d most likely keep her overnight. I’ll shoot him a text, though, to confirm as long as you’re okay with that.”
“He’s pulling hard for uncle of the year, isn’t he? How can I ask her to come home and look like a bummer of a big sister.” I shake my head and laugh because he would keep her every weekend he didn’t have to work if he could.
“I think he just knew today would be a lot for you even though she’s an easy kid. He thought you might want to decompress after all that. Are you okay?” He searches my eyes as if he can see into my thoughts.
I think for a second. “Yeah, I’m much better than I thought I would be. Are you okay?”
He just nods. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that. It couldn’t have been easy.”
“I knew nothing different until I just knew something wasn’t right. It made me who I am today. So, while it wasn’t perfect, it’s a part of me.”
