Page 48 of Sutton's Shadow

“If I ever go missing from here,” she’d said. “Don’t believe anything they tell you. Run. Run, because if you don’t, you’ll be next.” Amy had asked her to explain further, but Mel had clammed up once more.

Now, the room was quiet again with the other girls out in the living space. Without the buffer of the missing girl and Lia entertaining the younger kids, Bethany was afraid to leave the room and face the mean girls, let alone the so-called foster parents.

They creeped her out. No, it was more than that. They scared her. They scared her because they were unpredictable.

One moment, they were full of false concern, playing the part of the dutiful, caring foster parents. But then she’d catch glimpses of meanness in their gazes. It was those peeks of nastiness that had her hiding in her room.

And being alone had done nothing to ease her fears.

Last year, she’d snuck the bookDraculahome from the library, remembering how excited she was to read the classic that she knew was too advanced for her maturity level. But curiosity had gotten the better of her.

Bethany felt like Mina, completely isolated from her support system and at risk of succumbing to evil. Because what else could she call the dead look in the eyes of Daniella, who called herself a foster mom. She seemed to take a spiteful glee in her cruelty disguised as kindness.

She enjoyed playing little mind games with Bethany. There were words of flattery followed by barbs that sliced the skin. There were promises spoken which were soon glossed over with hostility. Bethany didn’t know where she stood from moment to moment.

It was like how she imagined the soldiers felt on the battlefields she’d visited with Wyatt. Never knowing if or when they’d be struck down as they advanced across the field. Never knowing if the boom of the cannon meant their end. How do you dodge something you can’t see? How do you shield yourself?

Daniella was unpredictable. She’d promise Bethany she’d be able to see or talk to Wyatt soon, then turn around and tell her they’d tried to contact him, but he’d refused their calls.

They used her fear of isolation against her. They usedWyattagainst her. Trying to convince her she was alone. That no one wanted her. While at the same time assuring her she had a place with them.

It was complete bull. She knew it. Wyatt would never abandon her. And those two—who claimed to want to take care of her—were too dead inside to know the meaning of care.

So she continued to block her mind from the negative thoughts and hold on to hope. The hope she’d heard in Wyatt’s voice that said they’d be together again soon.

Bethany had sat through five parties in the home, and after two of them, two girls had left the house. It could be a coincidence, but Bethany’s imagination was going crazy. What if Mel was right and they were being lied to? Hugo and Daniella didn’t exactly inspire trust in her, so it was possible. But what she was thinking was crazy. There was no way. She had read too many books and was allowing her imagination to run away with her. That had to be it.

Hearing footsteps in the hall, Bethany tensed. She pulled her knees to her chest, wishing she could disappear under the tangle of blankets.

No, what she wished for was the taser Wyatt had given her. How she would love to use it on one of her foster parents.

The door opened with a bang, and Bethany jumped. Hugo entered the room, throwing something at her. A duffel bag landed at her feet on the bed.

“Pack your things.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“Do as you’re told,” he barked, then left the room.

She wasted no time, hoping this was it. This was what she’d overheard days ago. It had to be. They were taking her home. To Wyatt. And yet, her uncertainties about where the missing girls ended up had her shaking with fear. She pushed them aside as she shoved her meager belongings into the bag.

Bethany tamped down her excitement and her fear so as not to let on that she’d overheard anything from them. She finished her packing, then waited. Hours passed as the sun moved across the sky, and her trepidation grew as her imagination ran wild. Finally, in the late afternoon, he came back for her.

“Come.”

Grabbing her bag, she followed him from the room, out of the dump of a house, and into the car. As they drove away, Daniella glared at her from the doorstep, her expression nothing but hate. Bethany shivered but turned away from her, refusing to give in to her fear of that woman any longer.

Chapter 15

SuttonarrivedattheNighthawk complex with her camera. Her stomach skipped and hopped around with the anticipation of seeing Wyatt again. It had been a few days since their night together, and she hadn’t seen him since then. Some of those flutters in her gut were anxiety driven. She had spent too much time replaying that night over in her mind. Losing herself in the feelings he had awakened inside of her, questioning everything.

They’d obviously both enjoyed themselves if the number of orgasms was any indication, but was that it? Was it just a one and done? Did he want more? Didshewant more?

She had no answer for that.

While being in Wyatt’s arms had chased away some of the shadows she carried with her, she still hauled massive amounts of responsibility over the death of his best friend. If Wyatt knew the truth, he might never forgive her. She didn’t know if her heart could stand losing someone else she cared about.

But even as she tried to remind herself of the reasons she needed to keep her distance, it was impossible not to be drawn to him. He was good and kind, and when he gave you his attention, he gave it wholeheartedly. He was too good for her, but she still wanted to bask in the light emanating from him.

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