Page 48 of A New Era

I lower my window and call him over. “As far as anyone’s concerned, I’ve headed into town alone. Okay?”

“If Leo asks…”

“Leo will understand, but if anyone else asks, I’m alone.”

“Got ya.”

He jogs around the car and pushes open the gate. Once we’re on the road, Beth begins to relax and though I have no idea what she’s been through, I know the depth of darkness inside oneself.

“Do you know where you’re going to go?”

“Nope, but I’ll choose somewhere at the bus station.”

“You’ve got cash?”

I have about fifty bucks in my purse but that won’t get her very far.

“I’ve got enough for what I need.”

She’s quiet for the rest of the drive and I park up and walk with her to the ticket office. She buys a ticket that will get her up north and I wonder if it would’ve been better to head south to where she must have family. But then I tell myself it’s her business and I don’t really know this woman. She’ll have a reason to head north.

We find her bus and my hands start to shake like we’re about to be caught. I don’t know Jonah but the few things I do know don’t show him in a good light.

Who knows how he’ll react when he finds her gone?

She throws her arms around me and hugs me so tight I can feel her gratitude in the simple gesture.

“Thank you so much. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me.”

“Of course. I hope you get to where you want to be and find yourself again.”

She smiles. “This will work out for the best.”

I see her on the bus and wave through the window to her as she takes her seat near the back. Not wanting to be seen, I make my way back to the car and clench my hands to stop the shaking.

Taking a deep breath, I start the car and drive home. The closer I get to home the more I relax and believe I’ve done the right thing. No woman should be made to stay with a guy when she wants out. She should’ve been able to walk away the first time she wanted to leave. In my eyes, if Jonah loved her enough not to live without her, he wouldn’t cheat on her. He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise his relationship.

The prospect opens the gate and clocks the empty passenger seat. He doesn’t say a word. Brothers are hanging around outside, some sort of scuffle happening in the middle.

I park up by the garages not able to drive through the crowd. As I climb out, Wyatt and Cookie are blocking Jonah’s every move to get passed them.

He holds his gun in one hand and waves around a piece of paper in the other.

“Brother, please, just let her go!” Wyatt hollers.

I guess he knows she’s gone. Since I saw him go up to a room with Zara’s friend, I’m guessing he hasn’t even washed his betrayal off yet. He has the nerve to be upset by Beth leaving him.

“Get out of my fuckin’ way!” Jonah roars.

Slamming my car door shut gets his attention and the chill I felt earlier runs through my whole body as he stares me down.

“Where have you been?” he demands, barging past Wyatt and storming toward me.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I had an appointment in town.”

The closer he gets, I instinctively step back. He comes to a stop in my face and before I can draw a breath, JJ, Mason, and Zach have closed in around me, JJ shoving him away.

“Wy, you better fuckin’ reel your boy in or he’s gonna get hurt,” JJ warns coldly. The coldest I’ve ever heard him speak.

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