Page 47 of Crude Heir

“No.” I shake my head as I turn toward my door. “I just had to take the stairs all the way down.”

“Ouch,” she replies with a grimace.

I let myself into the small, one-bedroom apartment. Once upon a time, this felt like home. I can’t focus on that right now. I only planned to pack some clothes and the money I keep hidden under the kitchen cabinet.

A sinking feeling takes over as I close the door behind me. I have to hurry. Someone might be on their way to pick me up even now.

I go straight to the bedroom, determined to pack a bag and get going. Opening the closet door, I find my travel bag, nothing more than an oversized tote, and start pulling clothes from the closet. I have to travel light—at least that’s what the shows on television always say.

Pausing, I take stock of my clothes, mostly dresses because I used them for work. I’m as comfortable in a skirt as most people are in jeans. I only own two of those...because my parents didn’t approve. I’ll wear one of them on the trip. It’s easier to maneuver when you’re not in a dress.

Memories assault me. Pictures on the bookcase, dishes in the kitchen, the knit throw on the love seat. All the things that bring me comfort. I’d have to leave them all behind—all of them, if I’m going to start over.

I’ve done the research. I know where to go to lose myself. But I’ll be alone. My grandmother will be in the same situation, her own daughter dead, thanks to a blown tire.

If this had happened in any other manner, I think it would have been easier. I have money hidden away, and I had a plan to jump on the first bus out of town, then make my way across the country. I could drive, but I’d be a much more visible target than if I am lost in a crowd.

I turn on the shower then strip off my clothes. The one thing I could have never anticipated is what happened today. I can still feel Derrick’s hands on my body. I can see him smiling as he fed me a bite of the French toast he brought. He was smiling, laughing, teasing me. All sides of him I’d never seen at work.

Tears stream down my face. I’m about to wash the scent of him off my body, and my heart aches because of it.

Chapter 19

Nicole

With a heavy heart, I pull the zipper across my bag. The sense of loss is overwhelming. I reach for my phone to call for a car as I head to the living room. Again, a huge amount of money I shouldn’t be spending if I’m leaving. Then again, I won’t be using that card after today.

Leaving, I draw in a breath and look up at the image of the virgin. La Virgen de Guadalupe, my grandmother’s patron saint. I drop my luggage on the love seat and rush back to pluck the six-by-nine image in the bronze frame off my bookcase. I bring it with me and stuff it into my bag.

The Virgin stares down at me, seeming disappointed with my selfishness. I switch back to my phone, making one last call. The phone rings. I bring up my thumbnail, setting the tip at my teeth as I try to figure out what to say. The phone rings again, putting my nerves on edge. I should have called last night.

I walk to the stove and open the oven. On the third ring, she finally picks up.

“Abuela.”I force a smile into my voice as I switch to Spanish.

“Nicole,” she says, sounding surprised. “I didn’t realize the phone service was back,mija.”

“You lost service?” Why didn’t I check on her when Derrick mentioned it? I force my mind away from him and everything else that happened last night. “What about the other utilities? Are you safe? Do you have groceries?”

“I’m fine, sweetheart,” she says, dismissing my concern. “My back hurts with the weather.” I can picture her putting her hand at her lower back. The way she hitches her shoulders, like whatshe’s going through is to be expected. “That’s going to happen when you grow old.”

“Yes, Grandma.” My smile fades, knowing I won’t get to see her when she’s older. Who’s going to be there to make sure she’s okay?

“And you,mija?” She switches her attention to me. “Did you lose power?”

“We lost power at work.” The memory of Derrick coming for me fills my mind. “It rained so hard that part of the city’s flooded.”

“But you’re safe?” she asks, needing reassurance.

“Yes, I just got home.” My heart aches again at the way I left. At the wayI left him. That expression he had will be with me forever, which is both a blessing and a curse at this point.

“What’s wrong?” Her tone changes, becoming serious, as if she’s caught that something’s going on. There’s no hiding anything from her. It’s been like that my whole life.

“It’s time, Grandma,” I say, unable to hide my sadness.

It doesn’t take more than a second for her to figure out what I mean. “Nicole.” The pain in her voice is unmistakable. “What happened,mi vida?”

“I was found out.” I sniff as my eyes tear up. “A man…” How do I even begin to explain? There’s no way I could tell her what happened. What I did with him all that time. “A man I work with.”

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