Page 85 of In Hiding

“No lectures?”

She shook her head and took his hand. Leading him up to the third level, she pushed him out onto the balcony and shut the doors so they could talk without William overhearing.

“Sarah? What is it?”

“He got parole.”

Jake’s eyes pulled dangerously wide. “Mitchell?”

She nodded. “While you were out, I got a call. He’ll be free in a day or two.”

“Not free,” Jake corrected her. “On parole. That comes with conditions.”

She stared at him. “You don’t actually think he’ll follow the rules, do you?”

He ran a hand through his hair and stepped close to her. “You know him better than anyone. If you think he’ll breach parole, then I believe you.”

The words brought tears to her eyes. Seeing them, Jake cradled her face in his hands and touched his nose to hers. “I trust you, Sarah.”

“He might hurt you again.”

Jake huffed. “So long as he doesn’t get his hands on you or Will. That’s all that matters.”

“Did my son tell you why he skipped school?”

“Like he told the principal, he said he had to run an errand. I honestly thought he’d confide in me.” Disappointment saddened his eyes. “I’ll keep trying.”

That was all she needed, her son sneaking around on some secret mission she feared would put him in danger. They had enough to contend with.

“I need to tell him about Ryan.”

Jake nodded. “Agreed.”

Maybe then her stubborn son would see he couldn’t run around town with abandon. He needed to be careful and keep his wits about him. When he chose to follow her instead of his father, he roused Ryan’s ire and she doubted the fury that seethed beneath the surface could be contained now her ex had his freedom. No. Much as she wanted to protect William from the danger that was to come, he had to know the truth.

15.

---