Page 80 of Voracious

I see the princess dress vanishing, the drawer full of outfits set alight, the high-pitched giggles, the dream of having a miniature version of the woman I love in our own house burned to the ground.

The sheets are completely saturated with blood, a haunting sign that we’ve lost our daughter.

24

STACEY

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Tobias asks as I pack my suitcase.

I nod, even though I know he can’t see me. “There’s no reason for me to stay.”

“And you trust this Barry to successfully hide you? How can he change your identity?” I hear him shift on his bed. “You can’t fly without a passport.”

“He already had a new passport made for me, just in case, and once I have it, I can set up new bank accounts and all the other legal documents.”

“You’ve told him my demands?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, he’s aware you want me nearby. I couldn’t talk much since Lisa was in labour. They had a girl by the way. A home birth. Her name is Eva.”

“I don’t care,” he huffs. “I want to know everything. Do you hear me? Everything. Don’t you dare leave the manor without security, and you stay by Barry’s side. When you all fly over here, I want a meeting set up with him.”

Of course he does. Protective ass.

When I don’t reply, because I’m violently shoving more of my clothes into the suitcase and trying to close it, Tobias says, “I’m sorry about my son. Kade had no right to treat you that way. You deserve better.”

I pause. “I guess it was my own fault. Kade said before that we were done; I just thought it was different this time.”

“He cares about you – I know it.”

I laugh as I shake my head. “Yeah, he has a funny way of showing it.”

“I have some more information on the Sawyers, but I don’t want you getting involved. I want you to focus on yourself. Your brother is still out there, and we don’t know how far he’ll go to get you.”

“What do you know about the Sawyers?”

“They’re heavily involved in the underworld.”

I tilt my head. “What exactly does that mean?”

“Organised crime – a lot of it twisted. They’re very dangerous, Stacey. I want you to listen to me when I say this. Do not get involved.”

I chew my lip. “But Kade is with them.”

“Let me deal with that.” Then everything goes muffled as someone enters his cell – he’s shoved the phone under his pillow, I assume.

The call cuts out seconds later, just as a message comes through.

Barry:I have a car waiting for you next to the fountain. Three cars will follow to ensure you arrive at my apartment safely. Try to rest, Miss Rhodes. We don’t fly to America until my daughter has had all of her checks.

Barry:I’m sorry it’s come to this. Please believe me when I say that Mr Mitchell always goes above and beyond to protect you, and I will do the same.

Me:Thank you, Barry. I’m so sorry I’m doing this when you and Lisa just had a baby. I could stay at a hotel for a few weeks? Or would you prefer I wait here a little longer?

Barry:No need, Miss Rhodes. Lisa is excited to meet you. My job is to protect you, and if you’re here, it makes my job easier.

I sniff and put my phone into my purse, my eyes falling on the ripped tutu I’d pulled off in a tear-filled rage. I showered in cold water to try to stop the panic attack, but all I could do was sob into the frigid water as my back slid down the tiles.

I tried to tell him, and he called me pathetic.

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