Page 126 of Severed Rivalry
I kiss Sariah before sliding out of bed and tucking the covers around her the next morning. Today is Renée’s birthday. The clock starts today for at least a year. My heart is heavy, and my mind is at war. We could run. It’s only a year. My job is… who knows what it is right now. Sariah’s is non-existent, and Renée could see the world.
I get it now. I so get it. The freedom, the escape, the peace of mind I could have and I could give the woman I love.
I’m nervous to leave them. My love and the girl who I never knew I needed… both asleep and helpless if something were to happen.
Setting a package on the island long before dawn, I grab a thermos of coffee and move to Eleanor. She feels my shift and is antsy and whiny as I harness her and ready her leash.
There are too many things pressing in from all sides. The cult is the loudest in my mind, but the quietest on radar. The raided men have surely managed to post bond all over the country after this much time. The local app developers send threatening texts, but we can’t prove it. And my father… My fucking father acts as if we’re inconveniencing him by not bowing to his whims. Even after the audit and all Ayla discovered, he acts as if he’s an innocent, put-upon victim.
Nothing in my gut says not to go, but, man, my heart and head are at war.
I’m trusting Sariah. Trusting her when she said I should go with Ayla. Trusting them to be smart when I’m nervous as a fucking jackrabbit.
I double check all the doors and verify the alarm system is set before sliding back down the hall and watching a peaceful Sariah sleep soundly.
I can do this. I head to my truck in the dark of night wondering when Beaver Brook got so far away.
My sister and Ren Gallo, who’s acting security for Ayla, arrive just after I do.
Franklin bounds out of the car window, lead and all, when he sees Eleanor and me at the mouth of the path. He’s smart, but has so much energy that needs to be focused into a job. A Belgian Malinois left bored and untrained is disastrous. And, somehow, I promised a lifetime of dog sitting. Maybe I’m too nice to my sister.
Eventually, the lead is wrapped around both back legs as if he were roped at a rodeo. Even that doesn’t dampen his energy or drive as he attempts to wrestle Eleanor from his disadvantaged position.
“Franklin, come here.” He turns for Ayla, but only manages to tangle himself further.
“This should be interesting.” Ren extends a hand to me which I shake.
“At least he can burn some energy.”
“Does anything tire a Malinois?”
“At this age? I doubt it.”
Ayla arrives at our huddle after untangling the mass of limbs and chords from the dog who snaps his jaws in a silent alligator speak.
“He’s perfect,” my sister says. “Aren’t you my little dude?”
At her voice, Eleanor wags her tail, fighting to keep her seat as she stares at Ayla, whimpering, until I clear my throat.
My sister leans in, rubbing my dog behind the ears and down her neck. “One day, he’ll be almost as good as you, my sweet girl.”
“My girl.”
“Oh, here we go,” she says as headlights wash the parking area in quick succession.
Ayla’s two apprentices alight, throwing on packs full of gear and meeting us in our huddle.
I don’t know how I’ve never met Ashlyn or Javier. It’s sad to say, but with all that swirled around my sister and now everything churning around Sariah and me, I’m suspicious.
Ren doesn’t seem to be, and he’s a good judge of character, and since Christian’s not worried, nor is Ayla, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. But I’m still going last.
Ren allows the two employees to go first, putting himself between them and Ayla, while I bring up the rear. My sister is strong and bold as brass, but her fall last autumn left an indelible mark on everyone around her. I wonder if she’ll ever not be in the middle of the pack again when the men surrounding her can help it.
She talks as we go. She likes nature and isn’t opposed to the wild animals that wander the mountains being in her shots, but she prefers landscapes more than wildlife, so spooking them off our trail doesn’t bother her. “So, how’s Sariah? How’s Renée? Are we going to do Casa Bonita on Sunday?”
“I haven’t asked yet. I have the reservation though. I can’t imagine she’ll say no.”
“I hope she doesn’t. Watching Liam at Casa again after all these years is bucket list for me.”
