Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,120

is Joe?

He waves a hand dismissively. “You mean that asshole, Joe? I took care of him. He won’t be any trouble. It’s just you and me. No one else can ever stand in our way again.”

Oh, God. What did he mean when he said he took care of him?

Please, God. No more death! No. More. Death.

In my panic, I quickly think of something that might just give me more time. “I will have to go pack a few things. I can’t just leave.”

Tony grabs my hand. “Look, we have no time for packing. They’ll be looking for you very soon. We need to go right now. I will buy you all the things you’ll need when we get there.”

The fear inside me is increasing. How can I stall him any longer? Where will he take me once we leave? Will I disappear forever then?

Just then, my phone starts to ring, and the urge to answer it is tremendous. I walk towards it, but Tony grabs my arm. “We have to leave. Now! You don’t need anyone else but me anymore. Let it ring.”

I wipe my eyes and take a few deep breaths. Tony’s watching my every move and is obviously growing more and more impatient. I have no other choice. No matter what, I don’t want to risk Matthew getting hurt. I won’t allow him to be in danger. I have to leave with him, and I must do so quietly to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. I must face my possible death head-on. If anything ever happened to Matthew, I would never forgive myself.

So I take another deep breath and nod my head. I place a fake smile on my face and squeeze Tony’s hand for reassurance.

He beams back at me. “I knew you would come around. You need to get away from all the monsters. I’ll keep you safe with me.”

I almost choke. Monsters? The only monster around me is the one staring at me and trying to drag me away from my family.

The only family I have ever known.

With shaky legs, we make our way outside to the car, and sure enough, the squad car’s there, but no sign of Joe anywhere. What has Tony done?

I jump at the sound of a car door opening and frantically look around for any neighbors who might see us. Unfortunately everyone’s at work, so all is quiet.

Just my luck.

Tony motions towards the passenger seat of the Explorer, and I have no choice but to climb up. I’m trying everything in my willpower not to completely lose it. I squeeze my hands together to try and keep control of my emotions.

I release another sob as I watch Tony walk around to the driver’s side. He climbs in, starts it up, and looks at me. “You know, I’ve been dreaming about this for a very long time. You don’t know how happy you’re making me right now—just by being by my side,” he says as he reaches out and grabs my hand, making me flinch. “I will look after you. I promise. I will make you mine. In fact, I think we need to start a family as soon as possible. That will strengthen our bond and cement our relationship.”

Oh, my God, he’s delusional! How can he possibly think I would ever want him like that? How can he think that after all he’s done that I would go with him willingly?

Or maybe, he doesn’t care if I’m willing.

I have no time to dwell on all of this when he suddenly lets go of my hand and starts heading in an unknown direction to what I presume will be an old farm.

Can it get any worse?

“You are being very quiet. Too quiet. Say something. I don’t know how you’re feeling. You do want this, don’t you? I don’t know what I’d do if you said no to me.”

Oh, God, please help!

Through my scrambled thoughts, I try to come up with something that I know will appease him. “You were right to take me away. I have been hurt in the past, and I need someone just like you to protect me. I’m sure you can do the job and do it well. Thank you, Tony.”

I try to smile at him, but I feel too miserable, and I’m too angry with him to pull that one off with much believability. He doesn’t seem to notice, though, and he reaches over, squeezes my hand again, and beams at me. “I knew you would