Page 59 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“Nothing so far,” I whispered.

Tighter, his grasp became as he prayed. Was it of forgiveness for all he’d done? Weakness for his sins? I only caught pieces though the pulsing in my ears as each second ticked on. Me, I couldn’t do anything but stare as hope grew.

“Nothing.”

My shoulders eased out of his grasp and I calmly walked into the room. I was still wearing my jeans. I hadn’t dared to take them off and Chase probably knew better than to push me that far. I wasn’t sure and didn’t care as I grabbed my socks and boots and began putting them on.

“What are you doing?” Chase loomed over me, but I didn’t stop.

“What does it look like I’m doing?”

“This changes nothing. You’re not leaving, Kit.”

I stayed quiet until I finished. When I stood, I didn’t look at him. Instead, I walked around his towering frame and headed for the door. I made it to the stairs without a single touch on his part. Talking sounded from below and I continued, watching each one of them become silent as they stared at me.

“Father?”

“Not now, Palo.” Chase bit out, still following.

My eyes scanned the counter. My purse was sitting next to a set of keys and a cell phone. I grabbed all of them and looped my purse over my shoulder, ignoring the dominating aura to the side of me as I turned back to the group.

“Whose are these?”

A man a little older than me stood from the sofa. “They’re mine,” he said nervously. “Do you need to use them?”

“No,” Chase growled. “She does not.”

“I do.” I moved in closer, trying not to burst into tears from the overwhelming emotions I’d been through during my time here. “I want to go home. If I could use your car, or maybe if you could take me to the airport, I would be grateful.”

“Kit.” Chase reached toward me, but I quickly stepped away.

“Please,” I said, pleading to each and every one of them. “I want to go home. I’m begging you to help me. This isn’t right. You have to know this.”

The younger man stayed rooted, but Palo stood, coming toward us. “Father, allow me to take her.”

“She’s not leaving,” he roared. “She…can’t.”

“I can,” I addressed Palo, not the man who, for some reason, didn’t want to let me go. “And you can take me. I won’t cause any problems, I swear. I promise, I won’t breathe a word of my stay to anyone.”

Palo looked between me and Chase. His decision wasn’t one I knew he took easily. The affliction was written in his features. Slowly, he came forward.

“I’ll take you to the airport.”

“Palo.” The threat was there and we all caught it, but still, the man came closer. I didn’t wait as I began to edge around Chase. He immediately put himself in front of us.

“Father, you have to move. You’re not thinking straight.”

“Don’t tell me what I’m thinking.”

Chase ran his fingers through this hair angrily, turning to slam his hand into the wall. “I’ve lost my fucking mind. God, help me, I have.” He took a step to move, but decided against it. His eyes blazed into mine and I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing the sleeve of Palo’s jacket as Chase stormed passed me. Relief and adrenaline crashed, leaving my legs tingling as I opened the side closet and ripped my jacket out. I didn’t bother putting it on until I was leaving the large porch.

“Faster,” Palo said, leading me to an older model truck. “I’m not convinced he’s done.”

When the door was opened for me, I practically dove in. Palo jogged around to the driver’s side and I almost couldn’t believe this was over. I was getting out. I was free.

The engine turned over and he flipped us around. The entire time, I couldn’t break away from staring at the large log cabin. Had I really been there for weeks? It all felt like a dream.

We rounded the corner, Chase’s home disappearing in the side mirror. I took a deep breath, glancing over to look at Palo for the first time. His lips were pressed together as he stared ahead.

---