Page 35 of Escaping the King
“Move over for a minute.You look like you need some Sheila time.”
For some unknown reason, I moved over and let her into the booth beside me.She could have sat across from us on the empty bench, but she chose here instead.
Her arm slipped around my back.“Now, I don't know what you're goin' through.But you're a woman.And you're a mother.So, it could be any one of a billion things.But I can tell something's eating away at ya.You live long enough like me, and you get real good at spotting someone going through a hard time.”
She squeezed me and moved in closer to my side.
“What I do know, is that life can really suck sometimes.But it's during those times that we should ask for help.Do you have anyone who could help you out right now, Giselle?You look like a nice girl.You must have an army of people who love and care for you.”
That really freaking hit home.A sudden rush of people popped up in my mind.
Eve.
Nick.
Eve's siblings, Bea, Rachel, and Asher.
Even though I'd never ask him for anything ever again—I knew Stefan would come running if I called him right now.
And then, of course, there'd be Carlo.
Once he woke up, he'd probably wonder where we'd gone.
After a while, he'd get the hint—and then he'd lose his ever-loving mind.
He had our lives mapped out and planned—and it overwhelmed me to even think about it.If I let myself think about it.
Which I had to stop.
Soon.
Carlo.
My lumberjack.
My fiancé.
He would come and get us right now if I called.
He'd be pissed, and he'd yell, and the look of betrayal in his eyes would absolutely kill me.
But I knew—I just knew he'd forgive me, eventually.
But what he didn't know—what none of them knew—was how much danger I was putting them in.
Knowing me might cost them their lives.
And that was one thing I couldn't allow to happen.I loved all of those people.And if saving them meant that Dani and I had to leave—then so be it.
It would be worth it to keep them alive.
“I'll be okay, Sheila.We'll be okay.You're too kind.Thank you.”
She sighed and rubbed my back.“If there's one thing I've learned in my sixty-three years, it's that people are gonna do what people are gonna do.So, I'll leave you to your dilemma.”
Her behind made a squeaking sound as she pushed across the slick material of the bench seat.
She turned around and leaned with both hands on the table.“Consider staying at the hotel tonight.Please?I'd hate for something to happen to you ladies tonight because you were too tired to drive.”She stared straight down into my eyes and let that last sentence hang in the air for a moment.
