Page 104 of Twisted Redemption

Just keep him at arm’s length. And be prepared to shoot.

I can do that. If I wear a dress, I can use my thigh holster. It’s what I decided to get years ago since I prefer sundresses, David’s insults be damned.

Yes. Right. Okay. I’ll have my gun, and I’ll do my best to stay far enough away from him that he can’t disarm me. Although I’ll have to get close a couple times if I’m going to pull this off.

But I can. I have to.

David emails me an address. I immediately plug it into my phone, memorizing the route. I won’t be able to take my phone. Not if I want to make sure Blaze doesn’t stop me.

Then I get to work, booking a room for two nights. I call the hotel to let them know that I’ll be bringing a cat, and that I’ll pay whatever fees are needed for them to accommodate that.

I pack lightly. With Felix on his side, it won’t take Blaze longer than a day or two to find me. Imani’s wedding is the day after tomorrow, too, and he knows I’d never miss it.

But I don’t care. A day of being away from Blaze should be all I need to untangle my thoughts and feelings. That’s all I need.

I promised Blaze that I’d fight for him, and I have every intention of doing so, as long as David is lying about everything.

Which means I need answers. And hopefully once I get them, I’ll be able to process by myself in my hotel room and deal with this hurt in private.

But first, I need to talk to David. Hopefully, I’m as smart as I think I am. Can you even manipulate a manipulator? I guess I’m about to find out.

After I pack, I wait. It’s been a while since Blaze slept last—I think. So hopefully the emotional toll of our argument will be enough to force his body into sleep.

It takes a couple hours, but finally, I hear him go to bed.

“BLAZE?” I WHISPER.

THE master bedroom is dark, the curtains drawn. I can barely see him splayed out on his stomach, all of the pillows pushed to the floor.

When he doesn’t answer, I let out a sigh of relief. This is my chance. Who knows when I’ll get another.

I tiptoe downstairs, grabbing my duffel bag on the way out.

Please don’t wake up.

I turn the alarm off, knowing it’ll piss him off when he finally wakes. But I can’t risk disturbing him with the beeps it’ll make.

Leaving my phone and a note on the counter, I grab Angel’s cage. The garage door is already open, but the door leading into it from the mudroom squeaks. So I head out the front door, shutting it softly.

Once I’m in my car, I give the house one last glance. Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I blink them away.

This is my one chance, and I can’t fuck it up.

So with only one more moment’s hesitation, I pull out of the driveway. I hit that stupid pothole as I do, causing Angel to let out a startled hiss.

“I know, baby,” I murmur, giving her a glance in the rearview mirror.

I don’t know if cats can glare, but if they can, I’m pretty sure that’s what she’s doing right now. It’s like she knows what I’m about to do. That I’m betraying the people who’ve loved me my entire life.

But if David is right—if they actually have been manipulating me all along—I have to get away from them. And even if they’re not, I still need space from Blaze. And some fucking answers.

The tears come back, and this time I can’t stop them. Because they lied to me. They all lied to me—even Alex.

Even Blaze.

When the first sob hits, it’s so hard I almost miss a stop sign. Someone honks their horn at me, flipping me off as they pass in front of me.

Get it together, Brooke.

---