Page 28 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

She swallowed the bile creeping up the back of her throat. How could she make it out of this mess without endangering her kids? “You can search the whole room. It’s not here.”

“Then where is it?” he growled.

Terror lodged in her throat, threatening to steal her words. She wasn’t sure what the right move was but had to act. Had to listen to her instincts to get him to leave. Anger dislodged the terror, and she refused to hold back. Refused to let him think he had any hold over her. “At the sheriff’s station.”

“What?” he roared, pressing forward another step until his hot breath touched her cheeks.

Avery stirred, her soft moans spiking Clara’s fear, but she kept her focus straight ahead. “They saw what was on there. You’re going back to jail. Not only have you violated the restraining order and broken into a home, but now there’s evidence of what a sick piece of shit you really are. You can stand here and do whatever you want to me, but the sheriff will find you. Will lock you up for the rest of your miserable life.”

Her body shook as she spoke, but her confidence grew as she stood up to her bully.

Unexpected humor curled his lips. “And who’s going to testify against me? Who can say for certain it was me who did whatever you’re claiming?”

Her stomach dipped, but she wouldn’t let him manipulate her with his bullshit. She lifted her chin and refused to let him see her fear. “Me.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Erasing the distance between them in two quick steps, he raised his arm and smacked the back of his hand across her mouth.

Pain sliced through her lips. Tears stung her eyes, and she fought not to let them fall. “You need to leave.” She hated the quiver of her voice, but she stood her ground.

His rough laugh slid down her skin like sandpaper. “You gonna make me?”

A vibration inside the back of her pocket grabbed her attention. If she could hurry and answer the call, she could alert whoever was on the other end that Mitch was in her room without waking the kids. They’d lived through enough trauma, endured enough humiliation and horror at the hands of their father, maybe she could spare them one more bad memory.

In one quick movement, she snatched her phone from her pocket and swiped her finger across the screen. “Mitch is in my room. Please help. Please ca?—”

Mitch circled her wrist with his hand and shook her arm with so much force she feared he’d snap her elbow in two. The phone clattered on the floor. Mitch smashed his boot on the device, but not before she glimpsed Heath’s image on her screen.

Hope surged inside her. She let a smile lift her mouth.

“What are you smiling about,” he demanded, pressing his face inches from hers.

The sickening scent of cigarettes and alcohol assaulted her senses, bringing with them a kaleidoscope of memories.

But she didn’t care. Not when she was certain Heath was on his way. He’d storm the gates, arrest Mitch, and she’d no longer live in fear of this man.

“That was Deputy Sterling. You have two choices. You can stay here and hurt me like we both know you want to, but you’ll risk getting caught. Risk having those cold, metal handcuffs slapped on your wrists again. Or you can run and pray he’s not here to see which way you went.”

He released her wrist, latching his meaty palm onto her throat before she had a chance to defend herself. “I could do both. I could finish you off here and now then be gone before that asshole even pulls in the drive.”

She didn’t move, didn’t struggle, didn’t fight or plead for her life the way he wanted. She stared him in the eyes and prayed she’d made the right move.

Pressing his mouth to her ear, he whispered, “This isn’t over.”

He shoved her aside, the force of his hand against her throat stealing her breath, then sprinted out the door.

Coughing, she rolled onto her stomach and greedily pulled in one breath after another. Mitch’s threat rang in her ears, but for the first time in a long time, fear wasn’t the only thing he’d left behind. Because for as long as she lived, she’d relish the moment her words had made him turn and run.

* * *

The eerie calmnessof Clara’s voice grabbed hold of Heath’s heart and refused to let go. “Hit the lights and get to the shelter as fast as possible.” He spat the words at Owen as they flew down the country road.

“What’s going on?” Owen flipped the switch to activate the screaming siren while blue and red lights slashed across the dark sky.

“Mitch is at the shelter. In Clara’s room.” His finger shook as he dialed the shelter’s number. The line rang in his ear, each second sending his anxiety to a whole new level.

“Safe Haven Women’s Shelter.” Mrs. Collins’ voice was soft and gentle but there was no hiding the sleepiness that weighed down each word.

“It’s Deputy Sterling. Clara called. Are you aware Mitch is in the house?”

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