Page 39 of Don't Leave Me

“How far away are you?” I ask after a few seconds.

“About two miles. He’s not leaving any space between our cars. He’s riding my bumper.”

“Tap your brakes. Begin to slow down a little.”

“Uncle Mason’s calling you,” Sophia murmurs. She sounds like she’s fumbling with her phone before she says anything else. “Hello?”

“Soph, where’s Zoey and Colt?” Mason’s voice comes through the speaker.

“Right here. You’re on speaker.”

I pull over on the side of the road and park. I made sure to stay on a side street so hopefully Jimmy won't see the police car. The last thing I want is for him to see us and flee.

“If he’s not in Maple Springs already, he’s on his way,” he growls.

“You’re a little late, Uncle Mason. He’s following us in the middle of this blizzard. Riding our ass too,” Sophia whimpers.

“Shit. Colt, keep my girls safe,” Mason growls.

“I'm trying, but I'm not with them. We’re in position. As long as they can get to us, they’ll be ok.”

Colt’s trying to keep the panic out of his voice, but I can hear it the slightest bit. He’s scared and that’s never good.

“Zoey, remember what I taught you. If you hit ice, don’t try to over-correct it. Let the car slide and make small corrections. Slow down and hopefully he will too. If you speed, you’re all going to get hurt. Let’s only make the asshole hurt. Sophia, remember what we taught you before you left. You might need that training.”

“Do you think he has a gun on him?” Colt asks.

“I’d be surprised if he didn’t,” Mason sighs. “I knew I should’ve come to Maple Springs.”

“No. I don’t need more family members in the line of danger because of me. It’s bad enough that Sophia’s here,” Leslie says with more strength than I’d expect from her.

I know she loves Sophia and doesn’t want anything to happen to her. I’m sure she feels the same way about the rest of her family. I can only imagine how difficult it’s been to stay away from everyone, but she did it to keep herself and all of them safe.

“We’re almost to you guys. I’m going to start slowing down and pretending we’re having trouble.”

Leslie’s SUV comes into view and I watch her hazard lights blink in the distance. She continues to slow down and stops in the perfect position for us.

The car behind her is still riding her tail. He’s way too close for comfort, especially with how horrible the road conditions are. If he slides, he could take both of them off the road.

Leslie revs the engine a few times like she’s having trouble and the man quickly takes the opportunity to hop out of his car.

My gaze flickers to the passenger’s seat and even though I'm a dozen yards away, I can see the fear on Sophia’s face.

“He’s getting out,” Leslie whispers.

“Good. Let him come to you,” Colt says softly.

“Don’t let him see the phones, Sophia. We want him to be surprised,” I add.

“If he knocks on your window, roll it down an inch or two. Just enough for you to talk, but not enough for him to reach in,” Colt continues.

I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing nerves. I’ve been in situations similar to this before, but I’ve never had to protect someone I love. They’ve always been strangers. Having Sophia in that car is bringing this to a whole new level, one I'm not prepared for.

The man marches right up to the window and knocks loudly. Sophia lets out a blood curdling scream and my heart begins to race a little faster. I made sure to mute our side of the phone so he doesn’t hear us.

“Nice hiding place, Zoey. Or should I say Leslie Jameson?” His sleazy voice floats through the line and makes anger spread through my body.

“Let’s go,” Colt whispers, motioning for me to follow him. I creep out of our hiding place and stay low.

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