Page 339 of Bad for Me

“You’re right. Dammit. Alright. When it’s time, I’m going to take you back to your car and will get you down the mountain. Once we have you on the main road, I’ll go over to the lodge.”

“Where do I meet you?” I’m not sure I should. This way, he has a life without anyone coming around snooping about his brother.

He brushes a hand through my hair and smiles at me. “I want you to get settled into your home and then call your cell phone number. I’m going to keep the phone. That way, you contact me, and I will come to you.”

I smile at him and know I won’t call him. It’s better for everyone if I disappear. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Good. Get some food, poppet. Then get a shower. I want you ready to go when it’s time.”

I do as I’m told as he goes outside, watching the fire. This is risky, but I know that if I want to get away and let him have a new start, it’s the only way.

Even if my heart protests at the idea of not being with him.

* * *

Once Mitchell helped guideme down the mountain, I began driving back toward my house. I wasn’t going to stay long there. Just long enough to get some cash and more clothing.

Each mile I put between Mitchell and me, it gets harder to breathe. It’s stupid of me to have feelings toward him. He came after me for his brother.

But he kept you safe.My inner voice smarts off to me. I battle with myself even though I know I’m doing the right thing. As a gas station comes into view, I stop and get some goodies to eat.

The first place I’m going to stop at is Jacob’s. I won’t tell him what happened. He won’t ask questions either way. Unfortunately, he learned a long time ago from his father it’s best he doesn’t speak unless asked a direct question.

God, now he can live without having to worry about his father coming around. That thought puts a smile on my face. Magnolia will need time to grasp what has happened. Before I see her, I will need to get my poker face on. She can read me like a book.

Another town, another mile down the road, the closer I get to relaxing. I have to tell myself Mitchell is a bad guy, and while the sex between us is good, having a relationship isn’t plausible.

Night falls on me as I pull into my son’s complex. Thank God I have a key. Otherwise, it looks like I would be staying out in the cold.

Why aren’t there any lights on in the house?

Turning the knob on the door, I walk in, yelling for my son. “Jacob?”

No answer.

He wouldn’t go anywhere without telling me, and when Mitchell and I made it down the mountain, I had no missed calls, messages on voicemail, or texts.

Please don’t let anything bad be the problem.

Walking along the dark hall from the front door to the kitchen, I try the light switches as I come to them. Nothing happens.

“Oh, Jacob. Did you forget to pay the bill again?” I mutter to myself.

Making my way to the bedroom; it’s empty. A few months ago, I helped him decorate. There should be pictures and a dirty pile of clothes somewhere around here.

Don’t get ahead of yourself. He could have gone to Magnolia’s. But…No, I tell myself. This is going to be fine. I walk back to the living room and feel for the firewood. I’ll figure everything out in the morning.

12

MITCHEL

Once Rosie wason the road, I worked my way to the lodge. I expected to find my brother’s things there. Hell, to know I would be riding in a brand-new BMW made my hands shake. What I didn’t expect to find was my sister in his room, hitting my nephew. While his sister was tied in a chair, forced to watch.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I growl and slam the door shut to the room.

My sister pales as she looks at me. Fred was the oldest, me in the middle, then my sister. She hasn’t seen me in years.

“Mitch.” She whispers and runs over to me, throwing her arms around me. I can’t believe she’s hugging me, but I don’t trust her.

---