Page 57 of Deceiver

I’m going to tell him.

Days I’ve processed, and no matter how much I’ve tried, I can’t seem to find a valid reason not to tell him. Perhaps he will have an option I haven’t thought of, or maybe he’ll outright refuse to be part of it, giving me no choice but to go out and do it on my own. One thing is for sure, I’m keeping this baby. I can’t live with myself if I don’t. That doesn’t mean I think it’s wrong to take the other road, of course I don’t, but for me, I just know how it’ll impact my life.

That means Western needs to know.

I’m walking down the street, just having picked up some muffins and a few coffees. I don’t even know if Western drinks coffee, I certainly can’t see him doing it, but I need something to present to him before I break this news. He isn’t going to take it well, of that I’m sure, so I need to be very careful about how I approach this. I don’t want to scare him off before I even have the chance to tell him my thoughts.

Even though I’m telling him, the nagging feeling still lingers. The one that screams to me that he’s a bad guy. Would he sell our child? Even though I’ve seen the proof, something inside me just doesn’t want to believe he’s actually involved in all of this. If he is ... That will change what I do moving forward. I have to tell him, though, and when I do, I’m going to confront him with the knowledge I’ve learned. I’m going to ask him if he’s involved.

If he is, I’m packing my things and disappearing into the night.

If he isn’t, then I guess I have to trust he’s telling the truth and stay, having a baby with a man who I love so fucking much and at the same time, terrifies me to no end.

“Bonnie.”

The familiar voice has me pausing and holding my breath as I turn to see a dark SUV at the curb, the window rolled down with Bill staring out, his eyes angry.

This isn’t good.

Everything inside me immediately goes into defense mode, and I want to run, but I know if I do, he’ll kill me.

“You get into this car without a fight, or I’ll shoot you and drive off. Nobody will ever know it was me.”

He points a gun in my direction.

My heart skips a beat.

Should I run?

My eyes dart, and there is no one in sight. I’m on a straight sidewalk, with very little buildings around. If I run, I don’t really have anywhere to go. He’ll catch me, and he’ll kill me. I have no doubt he’s telling the truth. That means I have only one option: play it cool, get in that car, and pray I can get out of whatever it is he’s about to do.

“Okay,” I say, taking a step toward the car.

“Put that shit down.”

I stare at the muffins and coffee in my hands, and I lean down, placing it on the sidewalk.

“The handbag, too. Empty your pockets and put everything inside.”

The handbag contains my phone.

I press it to my chest, but when his eyes flash, I know that he isn’t messing around. I lean down and pull my phone from my pocket, using my finger to unlock it as I bring it toward my handbag to place it in. I act as though I’m emptying the rest of my pockets, and lean forward, bringing the phone as close to my lips as I can. I say “Call Western” and then I place the phone in my purse, praying it worked.

I get to my feet, holding my hands out. “Anything else?”

I’m acting confident, but inside, I’m terrified.

“No. Get in the car.”

“If you’re going to kill me, then just do it now. I don’t feel like being tortured,” I mutter.

“I’m not going to kill you because I’m not done with you, but you are goin’ to answer some questions, and if you lie to me, Bonnie, I will start removing your fingers until you tell the truth.”

My stomach twists.

The back door opens, and inside, I can see a man sitting there, his dark eyes pinning me in place.

“Get in.”

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