Page 92 of In Hiding

“Sarah, please. Let me explain.”

“No. There’s no talking your way out of this, Jake. You can’t lie to me and expect me to trust you. It doesn’t work that way.”

His eyes pleaded with her to see reason. “Please don’t send me away. It’s too dangerous now that Ryan’s out.”

“Well, then, send my brother over. Just as long as you understand that you’re not staying.”

“Let’s talk tomorrow.”

As she stepped back, she began to close the door. “No, Jake. There is no tomorrow. Pack your bags. You need to find somewhere else to stay.”

His jaw clenched. “Sarah, don’t do this.”

His voice whispered over her skin, but she stood her ground. It was done. There was no way she could have confidence in him now. If he couldn’t tell her everything, he didn’t deserve her trust. Shaking her head, she closed the door, engaged the locks, and set the alarm.

16.

Jake hurled the duffel bag into the rear tray as the rain started again. Perfect. Just fucking perfect. He grumbled and returned to the guest house for the last of his things. Pulling the door shut, he rounded the ute and threw the bag in on top of the others before pulling a tarp over the lot to keep it dry.

About to climb into the driver’s seat, he heard his name above the sound of the rain. His heart skipped a beat as he looked up, hoping she’d changed her mind. Will stood on the veranda of the main house, waving at him.

His heart sank. Leaving her was hard enough. Leaving the kid? He’d almost been glad when Sarah sent him up to his room. It saved Jake having to say goodbye. He shook his head and waved Will back inside. What more could they say? If Sarah wanted him gone, nothing either of them wanted mattered.

Will wasn’t having any of it. Fierce determination settled on his young face as he leapt down off the veranda and ran up the hill toward Jake. There was no hiding now. Jake shrugged his hood up onto his head as the teen neared.

“You can’t go.”

“I have to.” He put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “What your mum says, goes. She’s made her mind up.”

Will pulled a face. “She doesn’t mean it. She’s just hurt.”

It didn’t matter that he believed Will. It only mattered Jake did as Sarah asked. “Will, I’m sorry.”

Water rolled down the kid’s cheeks. “You have to stay. I can’t defend her without you.”

Jake couldn’t tell if the wetness on the kid’s face was tears or rain. Guilt already roiled in his stomach. He didn’t need more. “You call the cops if you see anything suspicious, then you grab your axe, like I showed you. Don’t hesitate, Will. Remember what I said?”

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