Page 66 of Debt of My Soul

Liam is silent, and I’m not sure if that makes me happy or uncomfortable. I slide my gaze over at him and tell myself this is survival. He’s now my husband. Words I’d never equate with a man like him. But again, it’s for survival.

Another mile or so and I can make out the red octagon of a stop sign ahead. A paved road comes into view along with the Natchez Trace signage. I twirl the white string hanging off my sweatpants around my finger.

“Where are we going?” I finally ask.

“To town. You need clothes and supplies, and I have another stop to make.”

“How long will I be here? Can’t you drop me off somewhere? Actually, what about the bed-and-breakfast? I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Northgate would let me stay with them a bit. You can tell Blitz and Darrin I bolted on you.”

Liam tenses and slams his fist on the steering wheel. “You think this is a game? You want me to drop you off, pretend you got away? No one gets away from me. They’d never buy it. It’s not just your ass on the line.”

Part of me wonders if they know why Liam married me. I’m sure they know it was for Adam.

“And need I remind you that those close to you are at risk too? So you’ll get some clothes and supplies. Get what you need because most of the women don’t get to leave all that often. Unless you’re with me, you don’t go anywhere.”

“Comforting,” I deadpan.

He scowls at me, and for a second, I think about what he gave up for this. Was he seeing someone? Did he have a lady friend around the compound? I squash the thought. Why should I care? He got himself into this mess with this group. But as I say that, a sliver of compassion whittles away my bitterness.

We roll into town within fifteen minutes, and I try to gauge the direction of the compound, but I’ve always been terrible with direction and have no clue. Passing the home improvement store I’ve become so familiar with, Liam turns to me.

“Where do you want to stop?”

“Double Lucky’s.” I spit it out so fast. I’ve been thinking about it since he told me the plan was to get me more clothes. Perhaps River is working, and I’ll be able to speak with her. Or even get some help from outside the town and the local law enforcement that is too lazy to do anything about this group.

He narrows his eyes at me. “You and River friends?”

“Yes.” I don’t hide it. I’m not going to pretend like I won’t say anything to her, and I get the feeling he understands that.

He grunts, but then he moves into the right-turning lane for Main Street and the thrift store. Pulling into the parking lot, my adrenaline spikes. I practically have to walk with my hands on the waistband of my pants because they keep falling down. At least at the thrift store, I can get a wide variety of items.

The town of Ruin does not have a big box retailer. Everything is niche, and if you want to go clothes shopping, your options are Double Lucky’s or the hunting store riddled with camo. It takes a good hour to get to a department store from Ruin.

Liam opens the store’s one functioning door—the other blocked by a pile of boxes River hasn’t sorted through yet. The bell goes off and River’s voice pipes up from the back.

“Be with you in a minute.”

I want to cry at her voice. It hasn’t been that long, but it feels like I’ve been away for a lifetime.

Liam stands at the entrance, arms hanging down by his sides, but his fists are tight, and I don’t miss the rapid pulsing in his neck.

“So what can I help you—Oh my! Fleur?” River bolts through two racks of shoes to embrace me. She grips me tight in a hug,running her hands over my back as if she’s trying to make sure I’m real.

“Hi, River,” I say.

“I’m so glad to see you’re okay. Adam told me about the fire and that Darrin had—” She shakes her head. “Never mind. Here you are. Are you okay?”

I’ve never heard River talk so fast, but as she does, her gaze shifts to the door and her eyes widen when she notices Liam.

She points at him. “You didn’t … did you?”

Liam nods, and they stare at each other. I’m certain there’s a silent conversation between them, and I can’t shake the uncomfortable bubbles gurgling in my stomach.

“So did Adam finally get to you? When I spoke with him in the hospital, he said he was making a phone call and had a plan.”

I chew on the inside of my cheek and glance at Liam. River looks between the two of us, then down at the sweatpants I’m wearing.

“I need some clothes. The fire …”

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