Page 3 of Don't Leave Me

Sophia

“Are we sure this is necessary?” I frown at Uncle Mason as Maddox lunges for me again and I sidestep him.

“If he’s after Leslie, he’s not going to let you stand in the way of him getting her.” Uncle Mason rolls his eyes. “Can you please just focus and act like you’re actually in danger?”

“Do you want me to scream and cry too? Also, can we stop calling her Leslie? It’s an awful name and I’d rather call her Zoey.”

“You can’t call her Zoey when you’re in Maple Springs. Everyone thinks her name is Leslie.”

I turn my attention to Maddox as he tries to get me again. This time I punch him right in the stomach and knock the wind out of him. He bends over, clutching his abdomen.

“Damn, she’s so much stronger than she looks.” He shakes his head.

Before I can respond, a strong arm is wrapped around my neck and another one around my waist. Something hard is pressed into my side and I gasp.

“If someone attacks you, they’re not going to be gentle. They could try to kill or rape you. You need to take this seriously,” Dad growls in my ear. “Show me how you’d get out of this hold with a gun pressed into your ribs.”

“You have a gun pointed at me?” I squeak out.

“No, I have a highlighter pointed at you, but I promise any man who has you in this position will be using something more deadly than a highlighter.”

Uncle Mason stands in front of me with his arms folded across his chest and a smirk aimed right at me.

“I hope you’re enjoying this.” I fight against Dad’s hold, but he’s too strong for me.

“I’d be enjoying it more if you could lay him out on his ass, but this will do. Please, continue to struggle.” He motions for me to continue and I want to scream in frustration.

“I don’t even understand why you’re making me do this? No one is after me!”

“Because we love you. You never know when someone could attack you. Someone might not be after you, but they are after your cousin. If you really want to go visit her, I want to know you can protect yourself.”

“Fine! Let me go and show me how to do it again.”

Instead of letting me go, Dad spins me around to face him and wraps me in a hug.

“I love you too much to let something happen to you. I made Charlie do the same training before she moved to California. You can never be too prepared. If Aunt Kelsey had this training, she might’ve gotten away from her attackers.”

“Maybe once or twice, but they would’ve gotten her in the end,” Uncle Mason growls.

“You’re not helping here, Mason.” Dad rolls his eyes.

“Those assholes would’ve stopped at nothing. Any of the crap we’re teaching you will help you get away, but then what? Youneed to make smart decisions to make sure you put enough distance between you and any danger. If you don’t, you’re dead.”

“Well, aren’t you just a ray of sunshine?” I swallow hard and shake my head.

They’re making me nervous about going to Maple Springs. I’m honestly shocked they’re not making me stay home. No one knows where Zoey’s ex is and until he’s found, she’s in danger.

“Are you sure you want to go?” Dad runs a rough hand through his hair and lets out a long sigh.

“You can’t protect me forever, Daddy.”

“Yeah, but I can keep you out of the lion’s den,” he growls.

“Potential lion’s den.” I hold up a finger to correct him. “Until you know where Jimmy is, you don’t know if Zoey’s actually in danger.”

“Leslie!” Cody and Jax yell at the same time, making me jump.

“Oh my gosh! I'm not in Maple Springs yet! I can call her whatever I want until I get into my damn car.”

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