Page 31 of Ruthless Beast

Dannie is upset. I can see it in her face.

“I’m sorry, Dannie. I really am.”

“I don't want to lose you, too.”

“That’s why I have to do this.”

“Please don’t go,” she pleads softly.

“Don’t cry, Dannie. Please. You’re breaking my heart.”

“I’m coming with you,” she says suddenly, wiping away the lone tear that escaped her eye.

“That’s crazy. You can’t give up your life for me. I won’t let you.”

“I’m not giving up anything. We can start over somewhere else. Together. Come on, Emily. Two are better than one.”

“Where would we go?”

“I have family in Minnesota. My aunt lives on a stunning lake. No one will look for you there.”

“I don’t know, Dannie.”

“Come on. I’ll call her. She adores me. I’m sure she’d love to have us for a while. Please. Just until the cops catch the guy.”

I would prefer going with Dannie. Heading out into the unknown all on my own is a bit daunting. This could work.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course, I’m sure. I’ll call her.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now.”

Dannie leaps off the couch and fetches her phone from her bedroom. She scrolls through her contacts, then calls her aunt.

I listen to the conversation as Dannie skates around the real reason for her sudden hankering to move in with her aunt. I must admit, I’m feeling more optimistic about all this. This is going to be good for me—getting away from everything that reminds me of David.

“All set,” she announces with a grin once she ends the call. “Aunt Ruth is happy to have us.”

“Wow. I don't know what to say except thank you, Dannie.”

“As if I’d leave my best friend high and dry, of course.”

“How soon can we leave?”

“How soon can you pack?”

“Don’t you have things to finalize at the university first?”

“Nope. All done and dusted.”

“What about the cute stand-in professor?”

“He’s a dildo. I don’t see a future there. Besides, he can’t kiss for shit.”

“That’s too bad.”

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