Page 88 of A Heart So Savage

He was an older man with a scruffy beard and kind eyes. A plain, gold wedding band gleamed on his ring finger. Earlier, when Ava explained where she needed to go, he had tilted his head at the desperation in her voice.

“Do you want to go to the police station? I can take you there… no problem,” he had offered. “If someone is bothering you, that is.”

“No, no. It’s just very important I get to Bitter Springs as quickly as possible. If you’ll help me, I can pay more than the mileage rate.”

“Well, sure, miss. It’s no problem. I’ll enjoy the drive, to be honest. Something out of the ordinary. Just gotta notify dispatch.” He clicked on the car’s communication system. “Donovan, here. Got a long-distance fare to Bitter Springs.”

After getting the all-clear, Donovan had eased the car into traffic while Ava nearly collapsed in relief.

It didn’t take very long to leave the bustling city streets behind and reach the interstate heading toward her parents’ home. The scenery flew by, the day bright and sunny compared to the darkness inside Ava. Thinking of the moment she would confront Carson was making her nauseous, but it did not shake her resolve.

She wished she had a gun instead of the paltry weapons she’d gathered.

Earlier, while making her tea, she had taken a steak knife from an extra set in the cutlery drawer. She’d slipped it into the pocket of the coat where it now clinked alongside the fork from CRUSH.

All I need now is a spoon and butter knife, and I’ll have a complete set.

She nearly laughed out loud at her train of thought.

“Everything all right, miss?” Donovan’s dark gaze met hers in the review mirror.

“Yes, thank you,” Ava murmured. “Just thinking about how my arrival will surprise some people.”

“Been a long time since you’ve been back?”

“Yes and no. I’ve lived in Bitter Springs my whole life until recently, but it’s been years since I’ve beenhome.” She fingered the knife in the coat pocket, thinking she might be revealing too much. Smarter to keep silent about some things, especially when murder was potentially involved. “It’s complicated.”

Donovan sighed in agreement. “It always is.”

Time passed quickly as the car hurtled north on the interstate and turned off at the Bitter Springs exit. It appeared they would beat the timeframe Donovan had predicted.

Kingston must know she had escaped by now. Would he respond by taking out his frustrations on the man imprisoned in his dungeon? Or would he hold on to that rage and unleash it on her when he recaptured her?

Pulling up to the open gate outside of her parents’ home, Ava was shocked to see a police car blocking the overgrown driveway. Two men leaned against the hood of the vehicle, their gazes trained on the cab. They did not come forward to inquire who she was or why she was there, which Ava found odd. There appeared to be no obvious reason for their presence other than guarding the house she’d once called home.

“Thank you for helping me, Donovan.” Ava pulled cash from her coat pocket, counting out a generous tip along with the required fare.

“Like I said, nice day for a drive. Do you want me to wait? Just in case you decide against staying?” Donovan’s concerned gaze migrated toward the two officers. One climbed into the patrol car, picking up the receiver for the two-way radio. He spoke into it, but at this distance the conversation was unintelligible.

“No, it will be fine.” Ava handed over the money. Including the extra tip, it was nearly half of her funds.

“Whoa. This is too much, miss. Way too much,” Donovan exclaimed. He attempted to give her back some of the money, but Ava waved it away as she slid out of the car.

“Please, I want you to have that. Drive safe back to the city and thank you for being so kind.”

Donovan tipped his hat, and she watched the taxi pull away before straightening her shoulders. She began the walk up the driveway’s steep incline toward the police car.

“What can we do for you, ma’am?” One of the officers sauntered toward her, a hand on his holster. His fingers tapped the butt of the pistol jutting up from the leather.

“This is my parent’s house.” Ava swallowed hard at the threatening gesture, but it did not deter her. “I’m here to see my brother, Carson Blue,” she added in a stronger voice.

“Can’t let you go up to the house without checking ID first.”

The other officer came closer, head tilting as he studied her. “Let her through, Fitzgerald. She’s the one they’ve been looking for.”

ChapterThirty-Five

My rage will carry me.

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