“But now you’re breaking free. That’s what this is about, at least part of it,” I said. “Even before him, you were a force to be reckoned with. You walked in the room, everyone paid attention.”
She shook her head almost violently. “I was doing it the wrong way. Getting attention at the expense of others is wrong. It’s time for me to make some changes—”
“You already have.” I sat silent for another beat. “I liked the purple in your hair, all the colors really. It’s kind of your trademark. But I also like not arguing with you. Being your friend.”
She smiled just as her phone rang. Her back went rigid. “Oh God.”
“You’ll be perfect,” I said in a shaky voice, as my heartbeat thundered in my ears.
She answered the call on speakerphone.
“Baby,” he said and she cringed. I grabbed onto her fingers and squeezed, shaking my head, silently telling her to keep her cool.
Adrenaline coursed through me like wildfire, the toxins churned in my gut. Exactly how many women did Sparrow attempt to sweet talk like this?
“Thanks for calling me back,” she said in a steady voice.
“It sounded important. Is everyone okay?” he asked and now I no longer heard the sincerity in his voice.
“Fine,” she said, her voice now straining.
“Then what’s this about?” his tone turned harder.
“I hate that I can’t just call you when I need to,” she said and I knew it was in an effort to buy some time. Charlie had instructed us to draw the phone call out. “This is so messed up.”
Just then I could’ve sworn I heard a woman’s voice and my chest ballooned tight. Was this a new family he was with, who didn’t know all of his bullshit?
Gloria’s eyes narrowed. “Who was that in the background just now?”
“Nobody, just the television.” Silence dragged between them. “Look I don’t have much time. You need to tell me something? Let’s get to the point of this phone call.”
The words seemed to come easily this time, despite her nerves. “I need a divorce.”
“A divorce?” he said and his speech sounded unsteady. “What’s the rush? Why now?”
“I held on all this time thinking that maybe we still had a chance,” she said, her voice cracking on the truth of her words. She knew in her heart that Sparrow was never coming back. And in the end that was a good thing. “But now I need to move on.”
“Move on. Is that so?” he said in a sharp voice. “You got some new man to take care of you?”
“I don’t need taking care of,” she bit out. “And who are you to talk, I know what I heard on the line. That wasn’t some TV show. You’ve got other women wrapped around your finger. Just like—”
I applied pressure to her arm, letting her know she needed to temper her anger.
“Is that what this is about? Or has somebody been filling your head with poison about me?” he said, his voice booming.
Gloria flinched as if Sparrow was actually in close proximity. I wanted to reach through the phone and slap him across the face. The way he treated her was despicable.
“You’re worried about who I might be sleeping with?” he said, his tone softening, as if soothing her, trying to smooth things over. “I’m married to you, I help with your bills—”
“I don’t want to be married to you no more,” she said and I imagined the words were cathartic for her. “I’d like to meet a nice man, who will stick around, and be a true partner.”
“Gloria—”
“I don’t know why this is so hard for you,” she said, and I saw now just how much he must’ve twisted her words over the years, making her feel guilty for wanting more of him. “You don’t love me. You never have.”
She was overcome with emotion and she crumpled over the steering wheel, while I rubbed her back. Sparrow stayed silent, and that was probably all the verification she needed.
“I just need you to give me what I want. Please,” she choked out. “This is all I ask.”
Sparrow sputtered out a sound and then became quiet again. He had nothing to offer her. His own wife. I could clearly hear the voices in the background this time. Some woman was in for a rude awakening.
“Fine,” he said, so inaudibly, I almost didn’t hear him. “I’ll have the papers drawn up.”
“I can do it,” she said. “I have somebody in mind. I just need a mailing address so they can—”
“No. I’ll be the one to do it,” he said, his voice biting. “I’ll have them sent to you for a signature.”
I couldn’t help wondering if this was his version of stalling. The way his voice pitched, as if it was wrong of her to even think of seeking out her own lawyer. Moving on with her life for that matter.
I bit my tongue so hard, wanting to scream at him that he was an awful human being and that I was sorry I hadn’t seen it more clearly earlier. Women, pitted against each other, over a man. When we could’ve been a support for each other all along.
“Thank you,” she whispered, as if conceding. It would be a hard habit to break.
The line disconnected.
“I’m so sorry.” I reached out, my arm encircling her shoulders, attempting to soothe her. But ours was a tenuous relationship and after a few seconds, she stiffly pulled away. I didn’t blame her because there was plenty of residual hurt from my side as well. We had formed an unlikely alliance that might only be strengthened over time. “You did good.”
27
Meadow
The following day, Charlie showed up at the tent, pretending to be a customer buying jewelry. She tried on necklace after necklace while she spoke in a matter of fact tone.
“We’ve got a trace on a location,” she said, while bending down to look at herself in my hand mirror. “You need to leave town for a little while in case he sends his men here.”
My heart was clambering its way to my throat. “Where will we go?”
“To Atlanta,” she muttered as she patted her necklace and asked how she looked. “In a hotel near Alex.”
“Gloria?” I asked, worried as much for her safety as my own.
“She’s already gone into hiding,” she said. “We’ll keep her safe.”
My hands shook on the plastic handle as I gripped it firmly. “How will we get there?”
“By car,” she said, reaching for a bracelet. “You’ll use a rental. It’ll be waiting for you at home. It’s a grey minivan, the keys will be under the front seat, and the GPS is already loaded with directions.”
“When do we leave?” I asked, helping her with the clasp.
“You’ll have to act natural, so right after your shift ends here,” she said, admiring her wrist. “Your boss at the casino is already aware of the change in plans.”
Once she left I fished out my phone and unsteadily texted Jayden to check on my child. I needed to know he was safe, even though I had already corresponded with her an hour ago. After positive confirmation and a time check, I tried to breathe through the next hour at the tent.
I numbly drove to my house aware that Charlie was tailing somewhere behind me.
Grabbing random clothes, I threw together an overnight bag for Joaquin before I walked next door to pick him up. Attempting to appear natural, I threw a tentative wave to Frank, who was sitting on his stoop drinking from a bottle of beer, while the noise from the television blared over his shoulder.
My heart ached for him as he stared at something far off in the distance, maybe lost in a memory from his past.
“Jayden,” I said, trying to act as normal as possible. “We’re heading out of town for a couple of days.”
We never traveled anywhere, so the way her eyes grew wide with concern didn’t surprise me. “Where are you going?”
“I . . . we . . . ” How did I explain without giving the investigation away?
“Does this have anything to do with that gorgeous Federal Marshal?” she asked in a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She knew somet
hing was unusual and that this was no ordinary trip.
“Maybe,” I said, biting my lip. Then I leaned over to whisper. “Can you keep it to yourself? I don’t want . . . I’m not sure . . .”
“Your secret is safe with me,” she said, patting my shoulder. “Try to enjoy your time away. You guys deserve it.”
“You’ll text me if anything suspicious . . .” I looked over my shoulder to the parking lot. “If you need me for anything?”
When her eyes were drawn to our trailer, I could tell she got my meaning. I was worried . . . about everything. Most of all, our safety.
“I’ll be sure you’re still locked up tight over there,” she said, her eyes meeting mine with a knowing glance.
“Thank you.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Your friendship means everything.”
We piled into the rental car that Charlie instructed us to use, already parked in our lot, the GPS leading us on the six-hour drive out of town.
“Will Alex show us all the things in his city?” Joaquin asked on our first leg of the journey, his excitement fizzing at the surface when we got on the road.
“I’m not sure, honey,” I responded, panic beginning to bubble in my chest. Maybe I should’ve never told him we were going to stay near Alex. I wasn’t sure what this trip was supposed to look like. Did we need to hide out, holed up in the hotel room for days on end? “We’ll check in with him when we arrive.”
When I pulled off the freeway to get gas, I scanned my phone, and noticed a text from Alex.
Alex: Sorry it had to be this way. Let me know the moment you get settled in.
Me: This is so surreal. I’m afraid.
Alex: Call me while you’re driving, and I’ll stay on the phone with you. It will all be okay.
Me: I might not. Need to keep a brave face for J. Talk soon.
Even though I was tired and hadn’t driven this distance in a long while, I was almost bursting with nervous energy. Tapping the steering wheel. Singing low with the radio while Joaquin snoozed in the backseat. Looking in my rearview mirror wondering if Sparrow’s men noticed we were gone, if they had even shown up to look for us in the first place, and were now trailing somewhere behind.
Mostly I wondered what would happen to us. To Sparrow.
Before I knew it, we were pulling off the exit leading into town.
We stopped through a drive thru so I could feed my child and then headed to the motel room, using the fake name Charlie had reserved for us.
We got as settled as we could on scratchy sheets and a room with no view as Joaquin whined about being hungry.
As I pulled his chicken nuggets out of the bag, I fished my phone out of my purse to text Alex.
Right then there was a knock at the door. I froze and motioned to Joaquin with my finger over my lips to tell him to be quiet. Just as he was about to open his mouth to protest, I cut the same finger across my throat.
His eyes grew wide and he stared at the door. Damn it, now he was just confused.
I texted Alex.
Me: We’re here and somebody is knocking at our hotel room door. Is that you?
Please let it be Alex.
His reply came immediately.
Alex: No. Stay put. Don’t answer. Maybe they have the wrong room and they’ll go away.
Me: I’m trying to keep J quiet. Oh God.
The knock came again and a shiver crawled up my spine.
“Mommy, aren’t you going to answer the door?”
My heart slammed against my ribcage as I shook my head for him to be quiet. I felt like we were sitting ducks out in the open.
“Take a bite of your food,” I said in his ear. “But stay quiet. I’ll explain in a minute. It’s just strange being in a new city and I’m being cautious.”
He nodded and I texted Alex.
Me: Still there, knocked again.
Alex: I’m already on my way. Look through the peephole. But use caution.
I padded to the door and placed my eye against the opening in the door. My shoulders relaxed when I saw a little old lady standing there. She looked lost and confused.
I opened the door a crack. “Can I help you?”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Is my Robby in there?”
I looked behind me to Joaquin who was busy eating his fries.
“Do you have the wrong room, Ma’am?”
She looked up at the door and then to the parking lot. “Oh dear, our room is on the other side. Sorry to have bothered you.”
“No problem.” I closed the door and sank against it. This didn’t feel right. I was too spooked. Out here in the middle of nowhere.
A text from Alex.
Alex: I’m in the lot. I don’t see anybody at your door.
Me: It was a false alarm. Wrong room.
Alex: Are you unpacked?
Me: Not yet, just got here.
Alex: Good. Here’s what you’re going to do. Take your bags and meet me on the other side of the building. Don’t look around, just hop in my car.
Me: Why?
Alex: You’re coming home with me. We need to be quick. It’s almost nightfall which is a good thing.
I nearly cried out in relief.
Me: Give us five minutes.
I quickly gathered up our belongings and told Joaquin that Mr. Alex needed us to leave right away. That was all it took for him to hop up and throw away his half eaten meal in the trashcan.
When we got in the car, Alex was on his cell, but he smiled at us as he drove away from the motel.
“I don’t give a damn,” he said into the phone. “I’m keeping them with me.”
28
Meadow
As Alex drove around the city, randomly turning left or right, I got the impression he was attempting to throw somebody off, just in case. Joaquin was a chatterbox at first but then grew quiet, more than likely exhausted, after that long journey. I was still on edge, and would be able to breathe more freely once we were behind closed doors with Alex.
I thought of Gloria and imagined her in a motel room in a strange new city. Though we had only recently warmed up to each other, I wouldn’t want her to feel so scared and alone.
I was surprised to find that Alex lived in a residential neighborhood, in a small condo unit. The neighborhood was clean and the houses were packed together which was a jolt to my system. I was used to the wide expanse of the reservation, not the congestion of the city. On our drive around town, I saw all kinds of faces and realized that this would be an experience in itself for Joaquin with many different cultures residing together.
Though he might not see much else besides the inside of Alex’s apartment, which would be better than that small and dingy hotel room. My hand reached for Alex and I squeezed his fingers in gratitude.
Alex had looked disconcerted when we first slid in the car but now he seemed reassured. He had stopped clutching the steering wheel so tight.
“Whoa,” Joaquin’s sleepy voice whispered from the back seat as we pulled into the driveway. “This is where Mr. Alex lives?”
Jolted by the noise of the garage door opening, Alex inched inside the enclosure. He pushed the button to shut the entrance behind us, turned the engine off, and exhaled.
Before I could say a word, Alex was out of the car, and pulling open Joaquin’s door. My child lunged into his embrace and my heart melted that Alex had gone to him first, to make him feel comfortable. He glanced at me over Joaquin’s shoulder and winked.
His smile was confident and beautiful. For the first time on this ride to his house I had the opportunity to marvel at him. He wore jeans and a green T-shirt and after such a long ride, was a sight for sore eyes.
“You live in a big city,” Joaquin said in an excited rush as Alex led us through the door to his home. “Can we see more tall buildings?”
“We’ll see,” Alex said, before turning and winding me into his arms. His nose nudged against my hairline and he sniffed deep. He chastely pecked my lips and my temple while Joaqui
n bounded ahead.
“Look at this big TV, Momma.”
My gaze searched Alex’s masculine condo, with his modern grey walls and black leather couch. He didn’t have many decorations but the space was clean and contemporary. Our trailer seemed shabby in comparison. That thought brought forth momentary doubt about the prospect of Alex and me being together until he placed his fingers on my hip and drew me toward him. Just the warmth of his touch made my misgivings disentangle inside me.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I am now.” I looked into his eyes. “Just . . . taking it all in.”
His lips found my ear. “I’ve thought of this moment. Of having you here. Didn’t think it would happen this soon or for this reason.”
My breath caught in the back of my throat as my eyes snapped up to his.
“And?” I asked biting my lip as my heart battered around in my chest.
“And . . . I hate that you had to leave your home, and that you’re scared,” he said, caressing my cheek. “But having you with me makes all the difference.”
I slowly nodded. “Me too.”
“Let me show you around and then you can unwind.”
Joaquin pulled Alex along by the finger. “Where do Momma and I sleep?”
“This way.” He picked up my bag and strode down the hallway past a large bedroom, which I could only guess was the master. Across the hall at the opposite end was another door.
“I have two extra bedrooms but unfortunately one was turned into an office.” The bed in this space was large. “Hope this will work for you guys.”
I nodded. “There’s plenty of room for both of us.”
“Or you can take my bed and I’ll stay on the couch.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” I said, just as Joaquin squealed.
We both turned as he lifted something from the top of the dresser.
“Is this for me?” he practically burst out of his skin as he held up the Lego set.
“I was going to bring it to the motel. I figured you didn’t have time to pack any of your own so I thought we could put that together,” Alex said, looking back at me for approval. “Maybe we can watch the original Star Wars movie while we’re assembling it.”
Three Sacred Words (Golden Arrow #2) Page 16
