Page 43 of Broken Skulls

Jacob doesn’t flinch, he continues to hold me strong.

“I don’t … you don’t understand,” I stutter.

“Listen very carefully, Elizabeth. I will only say this one time.” He waits for me to compose myself.

I take a deep breath and then slowly release it at his order.

“Much better. You are safe. Everything is okay. It’s good even.” His eyes hold mine hostage as he searches for my rational mind.

I give him a nod, afraid if I speak, I’ll cry.

He takes my cheeks in his hands. “I’m leaving today, and I’m coming back with him. I can do that one of two ways. I need you to choose. Don’t overthink this.”

He pauses, and I realize this is really happening. Jacob doesn’t need me to tell him anything about what happened. He doesn’t care. He’s willing to risk it all, without needing proof or an explanation. He’s not asking anything of me. Except whatever choice he’s about to give me.

I wonder if he feels my relief in that.

“Do you want him dead or alive?”

His eyebrow rises, letting me know there is no room for argument. He is going after the man who has controlled my entire adult life.

“He’s dangerous,” I say quietly, looking around nervously as if the universe might be reporting directly back to Mr. Baxter.

“Elizabeth,” he warns.

I bite my lip, trying my best to push down my fear. “I’m not arguing, but you can’t just waltz into his house. He will see you coming.”

His brow slowly lowers. “What do you mean?”

“There are things there that he doesn’t want anyone to see,” I whisper, looking away from him.

“He has cameras?”

“Um, he …” I laugh lightly, because this is going to sound crazy. The truth always does. “He has more than cameras. He has a sophisticated security system.”

Jacob senses there is more to the story. He pulls me close, hugging me against his chest. “It will be okay, baby.”

“Please, don’t go there,” I plead. “He’s sick. I don’t know what he’s capable of.”

“I’m not going to let you down, Elizabeth. I’m going to show you that you can trust me.”

A man walks under the tree. “The guys are ready to roll,” he yells up.

Jacob looks me dead in the eye as he lowers me to the man on the ground. “Time’s almost up. Dead or alive?”

I stare at him as his friend wraps his arm around my waist. When my feet hit the ground, I close my eyes. I’ll never be able to go on living, knowing he’s alive. One of us has to die. Before meeting Jacob, I thought that was me. It had to be me, because I would never have been brave enough to see him again on my own.

I’m terrified to trust another person, but god how I want to.

By the time Jacob joins me on solid ground, I’ve made my decision.

“Alive.”

Chapter Eighteen

Jacob

Asliver of satisfaction slides down my spine.

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