Page 15 of Furi

She knew what this was. Poaching. It happened a lot in some towns. The women looking for better, the grass always greener but it wasn’t. She’d seen it often enough. It made her sick. “They are. And he’s not interested in changing that.”

“He dumb? Can’t speak? Is that how you got him? He’s a bit simple?” The one on the right asked.

“Wow. What bitches. No wonder you're on your own.”

“How much?” The one on the left asked no longer pretending.

“For what?”

“Taking him off your hands.”

She laughed. “Move along ladies. You’re wasting my time. I’d sell my farm before I sold him but then again, I’m not in the habit of selling people. So no. Nasty. Now get lost.”

Walking around the truck she got in and shut the door, engaged the engine and moved off.

Once out of town she turned to him. “How the hell did they see you?”

“Emily started crying it drew their attention.”

“How long were they there?”

“17.3 minutes.”

“Shit. And you didn’t talk the whole time?”

“Nope.”

“Damn. It won't take much for them to find out who I am and where the farm is. If they make it their business.”

“True. We need patrols further out.”

Shit…. They sure did….

Eating their lunch as they drove, they were back at the house at sundown. Sitting back in the driver's seat, she was starving and exhausted.

Worried about 4 having been seen.

4 glazed over. His men updating him. Him updating them. Not waiting for him she opened the door getting out. Taking the lunch bag. 4 exiting picking up Emily’s bag, together walking in to dinner being served.

Going to take Emily 16 stepped up taking her from 4. Thanking him she took a seat. To tired to argue. 4 squeezing her shoulder. “You need to let someone else do the runs.”

She patted his hand. “You know I can’t, the boys are too old and look what happened when you just stayed in the truck. I can’t chance that again.”

“If they come, we’ll be ready. Eat, then go to bed.”

She nodded. Suddenly barely able to lift her arm.

A chair moved next to her. She didn’t bother looking up. A hand placed on her forehead. Cooing it. “That’s better. Thank you.”

“Too much stress.” She gave a nod. Not recognising the voice. Suddenly a fork loaded with food was placed before her lips. “Eat.” She did. And as the food hit her system, she started to feel better. “Your care of the female is poor.” The voice told the table.

Blinking eating that last mouthful she looked up at the table. Her boys all sitting there but no one eating. 4 didn’t look happy. And then she turned to look at the one feeding her.

Oh hell no….

Another mouthful waiting for her on the fork. She took it from his hands. Then looked at the rest of the table. “I’m gone a day, doing what I have to and come home to this? A stranger in my home that I asked to be rid of!”

“I’m not leaving.” He told her.

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