he was on the up and up, too. This isn't your fault. I still think you should go to the police," Mia said.
"And say what? That this man I was stupid enough to go home with and have sex with is following me around, trying to give me a job?"
Mia scoffed. "It's more than that, and you know it. First, he hurt you, Hannah. I saw you wincing today when you sat down. I'm so pissed you didn't call the police. Second, you found out he wanted you to keep the books for shady businesses you want no part of. The guy needs to back off."
The scariest part was that Hannah hadn't even told Mia the worst of what Jake had done to her the night before. The rough sex had been bad enough. Her best friend would freak if she knew he had tied her up, had hit her with his hand, belt and paddle. Still, it was the look in his eyes as he got off on her crying in humiliation and begging him to stop hurting her that haunted Hannah. She'd seen a manic quality in his eyes last night that scared the shit out of her.
She didn't want to talk about it with Mia. "Let's not worry about it tonight, okay? I was about to grab a shower. I'll talk to you tomorrow at the shop, okay?"
"Okay. But think about calling the police, will you?" When Hannah didn't answer, Mia ended the call with a simple, "Night."
The hot shower helped her relax enough that she might have a chance at some sleep. After donning her skimpy pajamas, she looked at the waiting bed, tempted to collapse onto the sheets to get some sleep. Unfortunately, she had learned from experience, she wouldn't sleep well alone.
After double-checking that all the doors and windows were locked, Hannah slipped on her robe and knocked softly on the wooden connector door to her next-door neighbor's matching duplex. She didn't wait for an answer, hoping she would be able to slip in without disturbing Rosa.
The room was dimly lit by a small table lamp near the threadbare couch. Hannah saw the sleeping figure curled up on one end of the sofa and her heart contracted with a fierce love that never ceased to amaze her.
"He didn't want to go down until you got home, but he finally ran out of steam about an hour ago." Rosa's heavy accent told Hannah she'd been sleeping.
"Sorry I woke you. I worked late tonight." Hannah glanced up to see Rosa navigating her wheelchair closer.
"Honey, you don't need to apologize to me. We're a team, remember?" The Hispanic woman grinned, exposing her crooked teeth in a genuine smile that kicked Hannah in the gut. Yep, just another reason why leaving town was going to be so hard.
"Yes, Mama Rosa. We're a team. I don't know what I'd do without you here taking care of Connor for me while I'm at work."
"Honey, you and Connor are like family to me now. I love you both. And I don't know what I'd do without you bringing me the food and supplies I need and can't leave to get myself."
Hannah pushed down the guilt she felt at even considering leaving Mama Rosa on her own when she loaded Connor up and moved them to a place where Jake Davenport wouldn't find them. They'd been on the run before, but they'd found a home here with Mia and Rosa. She had hoped this could be their forever home. What she would give to have a normal life, but that wasn't to be.
Hannah leaned down and scooped the three-year-old toddler into her arms. He was growing so fast. Moving to a new town and starting over was going to get harder and harder the older he got. It couldn't be helped.
"Thanks again, Mama Rosa. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow, so if you have a list, give it to me in the morning. I'll drop Connor off at around nine?"
The least she could do was make sure Rosa was well-stocked in case she had to leave in a hurry.
"Sounds good, niña. Get some sleep. You look tired."
I am tired.
"I'll be fine," Hannah said.
"You say that every night."
Hannah didn't answer her friend and neighbor. There was no point. She walked quietly through to their small apartment, sinking into the welcoming bed. Connor snuggled closer, nestling under her chin while his little thumb found its way into his mouth. They'd been working to break his