Page 14 of Big Red

“What?!” I shout in panic. “I can’t do that. Declan will go nuclear!”

I’m sure they can see my bewildered and terrified looks all at the same time. It's bad enough he’s going to return home and discover I’m gone, but if I file for divorce… I don’t even want to think about it.

I want to be free of him. I do. But I knowexactlywhat Declan is capable of.

The gears start to turn in my head. Now I’m faced with what is going to happen if I stay here. I can’t put these people in danger because of my mess. I can’t let them endanger their families for me.

I have to leave. It’s the only way.

Sara places her hand on my arm, breaking my thoughts.

“Alice. Look at me, please.”

I shake my head as the tears I’ve been holding back fall. When I don’t make a move to lift my head to look at Sara, she squats down next to the bed.

“I know this is scary. Believe me, I do. But you’re doing it. You’re finding your freedom. Don’t let fear get in the way.”

“You don’t understand,” I croak.

“What exactly don’t we understand?” Cara asks.

I hesitate, and Sara grabs my hand, comforting me. I take a deep breath and speak the words that have haunted me for four years for the first time.

“He killed my father.” Cara curses under her breath, and Sara's eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t move away. She keeps her eyes locked with mine, silently encouraging me to continue.

“Two years after Declan and I married, he had been abusing me for some time. I was always good about keeping it from my father. He never wanted us together, and I didn’t really want to prove him right. At the time, I was foolish enough to believe that Declan would stop the abuse and we would be happy like we had been in the past.

“One day after one of Declan's episodes, my father dropped by unannounced. I ignored the knocking at first, but when I saw him searching the flower bed for the spare key, I had no choice but to open the door. When my father saw my face, he was furious. Before that day, I had never seen him angry. He begged me to leave with him, but I knew that would only enrage Declan.”

Cara hands me a tissue when my tears begin to flow endlessly. I open my mouth to continue, but only a sob comes out. Sara's hand squeezes mine just a tad bit harder. Closing my eyes, I take a breath to gather myself.

“Later that night, my dad came back and confronted Declan. He told him that either I left with him or he would go to the police first thing in the morning. When Declan refused, I begged my dad to leave before things escalated. I was only trying to protect him.”

My voice trembles. I’m reliving that night all over again.

“What happened after your dad left?” Cara asks.

“Nothing. My father was dead the next morning,” I spit angrily. Through all my emotions, there is one I feel more than the others.

Anger.

It's been deep inside of me ever since Declan took the one person he knew I loved more than anything in this world.

“The next morning, my father's neighbor smelled gas and called 911. The police on the scene said my father had fallen asleep and left the gas stove on. He died from monoxide poisoning. I was devastated. Deep down, I was suspicious from the beginning, but Declan made sure he confirmed my theories. While I was standing over my father's grave, watching his casket being lowered into the ground, Declan wrapped his arm around me and whispered in my ear, ‘No one willevertake you from me. Remember that.’ Then he led me away, and I’ve been trapped ever since.”

By the time I’m finished, Sara has a few tears staining her cheeks, and Cara…well, she looks murderous. There really isn’t any other way to describe the fire I see in her eyes.

“So now you know why I can’t let you get involved. I can’t have any more deaths on my behalf. I should just leave now and get as far as I can.”

“Alice, let me ask you a question. Last night, when I snapped Declan's arm, did it look like he was in any way dangerous to me?” Cara's brow is raised, and her mouth twitches slightly as if she’s trying to hold back a smile.

I shake my head as the memories of last night flash in my mind.

“If I can take down Declan, what makes you think the guys can’t? I’m going to be honest with you. We’re going after Declan and Vincent on our own. After the stunt those two pulled last night, they have made themselves the number one enemy of the Sinful Warriors.”

I was stunned into silence. Did she just say the club is going to go after Declan and Vincent? I open my mouth to try and reason with her, but she cuts me off.

“Now, don’t worry about all that. The guys will handle it. But, please, let us help you. I promise if I feel things are getting out of hand and the guys can’t handle it, I will personally put you in a safe house off the grid.”

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