His (Ties That Bind #2) - Natasha Knight Page 0,17

photos of the scene, of the car, a simple little black Kia, something unremarkable, wrapped around a tree. There were white streaks around the driver’s side door, and when I’d asked about them, the officer had said she’d probably been in another accident prior to that one. When I pushed for more, he admitted there wasn’t any record of another accident, but that he wasn’t surprised because my mother hadn’t been insured, which would mean she probably wouldn’t have reported a previous incident.

It had seemed strange, but I hadn’t had any reason to question him further. The accident was fifteen years old and the case closed. Slippery conditions on mostly deserted roads. Period. The one officer I did manage to get ahold of who was at the scene had retired a few years earlier and only recalled what a pity he’d thought it for her to have died so young and how lucky it was that I’d survived.

Strangely enough, I’d only survived because my car seat wasn’t attached to the safety harness correctly. My child seat had smashed into the back of the passenger side chair. I was a little small for the seat and the seat itself had taken the blow. No one was even sure if I’d been knocked out or asleep through the whole thing, but I was mostly unhurt. When I’d woken up, I’d walked away.

I don’t remember anything about that. You’d think I would, considering I was found two miles from the accident along the side of the road, but nothing. They told me I was freezing cold, dirty and starving, and that it was a wonder I survived at all.

I slip the photo of my mom out from inside the folder, which I’ve read through a hundred times, and I look at her.

Did Vasily kill her? Why?

“Mommy, that’s you!” Josh is suddenly beside me, wearing a circle of orange sauce around his mouth.

I tuck the photo away.

“That’s actually your grandma,” I tell him, putting the pen down and getting up. I’ve only written down that detail about the white streaks on the driver’s side on the page. It’s a sorry little list. “Let’s get you cleaned up, and then we’ll go for ice cream.” I could use some fresh air too, honestly.

Once I have Josh bundled into a coat Talia had packed, I put my own on and take out my phone to text Lev and let him know what we’re doing, but just as I start to type out my message, I get one from him.

Lev: On my way back. I’m about forty-five minutes away. Everything good there?

I consider my reply, knowing if I tell him I’m going to take Josh out for ice cream he’ll tell me it’s not safe and I should stay inside. But Josh is already pulling at my sleeve, and I can’t take this away from him now. Besides, he’s antsy and needs to burn off energy. Dairy Queen is literally around the corner, and I can’t imagine Vasily’s men would hang out there, so I type out a quick reply.

Me: Everything is fine. We’ll see you soon.

“Put your hood up,” I tell Josh as I do the same, checking to make sure I have cash in my purse, trying not to look at the pistol inside it.

I take his hand, and we step out into the cold night.

I’d never been to Providence before, and it’s a cute town. I wish I could spend some time walking up and down Main Street, maybe doing a little shopping. The thought makes me long for the simplicity of a normal life.

Holding Josh’s hand, we walk out of our room and down the empty hallway. Josh pushes the button for the elevator, and I watch the numbers on the screen as it climbs up to our room on the eighth floor.

Josh is excited about the elevator, and it’s cute to see. Once we’re inside, I show him which button to push, and we ride down in silence. One of the two desk clerks is busy checking in a guest while the other is on the phone. She looks up, and I smile as we walk outside.

The air is brisk but the night clear.

A man of about fifty stands outside the lobby doors smoking. He watches us as we pass, and I smile a hello, even as my heart races.

But I’m being paranoid. If Vasily’s men were here, they wouldn’t get a hotel room for the night. They’d get us.

“I see it!”