The boys dug into their food, and I felt a pang of guilt. I’d been caring for them for four years. Crying babies, diapers, throw-up, you name it. In the beginning, Richard had helped, but Blake made the rules and didn’t want Richard near me. In reality, Blake had wanted me to bond with the boys so he had power over me. Yet, he never allowed me to care for them without supervision. David watched everything and controlled our time together.
I brushed Aden’s hair back tenderly. I loved them so much...even at their most annoying. I just wanted them to be safe.
We’d made it over forty-eight hours without any Blake sightings. That had to mean something.
The few other customers who’d been sitting when we entered slowly trickled out as we ate. Eventually, only the man remained. The boys finished their meals and nibbled on the fries while they continued to draw.
I forced myself to keep eating, diligently working my way through the small piles of food on my plate. I needed the nourishment as much as I needed sleep. Eating while I drove hadn’t worked well for me. Split concentration almost landed us in the ditch. I just hoped after this break I wouldn’t confuse the pedals again as I had in the beginning.
My continued to struggle to keep my eyes open—they felt hot and gritty—eventually made me to set my fork aside. I stood and let the boys out to use the ladies room behind us. My legs felt weak and achy so I leaned against the back of the bench seat.
The waitress spotted me beside the booth and came over with the bill. I handed her the cash and told her to keep the change. She smiled her thanks and walked away. Before I could move, the room started to tilt. I held onto the back of the booth, waited for it to pass, then went to check on the boys.
When we walked out of the bathroom, the man’s booth sat empty. I felt slightly relieved...and maybe a little disappointed, too.
We stepped into the afternoon sun, and I noted that the parking lot had cleared since we’d arrived. Not paying attention, I staggered a little when we stepped down from the curbed sidewalk that surrounded the diner. I looked around to see if anyone had noticed.
The man stood near his bike, searching in the panniers. His lingering presence should have made me nervous, but I was too tired to care. If he left before we reached the car, I’d take it as a sign I should nap in the parking lot.
Between walking, wishing for sleep, and the motorcycle man, I didn’t notice the vehicle parked on the far side of my own. When I recognized David’s vehicle, I faltered and my stomach sank. Beside me, Aden whimpered, and I gave both their hands a reassuring squeeze. We all knew what David’s presence meant.
My tired, strained eyes darted around the parking area, trying to locate David. He didn’t let me look too long. With a mocking smile, he stepped from behind his SUV. Dressed in his usual khaki pants and dark V-neck sweater, he looked fresh and ready to drag me kicking and screaming back to my prison. He looked me over, unconcerned that I’d stopped walking and stood several feet away.
Suddenly, I didn’t feel so tired.
“Michelle, you look terrible,” David said in a patronizing tone. “In fact, I’d have to say you look like hell. Not surprising since you’ve only been sitting still a few minutes at a time.” His smug look evaporated, leaving impatience. “I’ve followed you long enough. It’s time to come home.”
Followed? I stared at him blankly. I’d been checking my mirrors and staying to the back roads. I never planned where I was going to turn until I turned. I would have seen him.
David laughed at my expression. “Good thing Blake knew Richard arranged for you to have this,” he patted the car. “You might have disappeared without a trace otherwise.”
I stared at the car for a moment before I understood. Angry, I swallowed hard and met his eyes again.
“How’s your head?” I asked, refusing to acknowledge the fact that our escape had been a lie. “You went down pretty hard.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, but I didn’t cower. That part of my life was behind me. We were in a moderately populated area. If I screamed, someone would notice. If I sent Liam running back into the diner to call the police, David would be in trouble. He had no hold over my brothers or me, and thanks to Richard, I had our birth certificates to prove it. I only needed to keep him away from the boys until help arrived. If he got one of them, he’d have the advantage he needed to force my compliance.
“Walk away, David.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked down at his shoes briefly before meeting my eyes again.
“You know I can’t.”
His look held no apology, only determination and, perhaps, a bit of fear.
So he did know about Blake. Then, we both knew he couldn’t walk away.
He took a step forward, and I nudged the boys behind me. David looked deceptively calm as I stood my ground. He took another step toward me, and I could see the promise in his eyes.
I opened my mouth to tell Liam to run for help, but David paused. His attention shifted as he looked past me.
“This man have any legal rights to these kids?” a smooth baritone said from somewhere behind me.