“You don’t understand.”
“I understand more than you think. If you want this to end, go to Talon’s and lay low for the next forty-eight hours. Make some calls and help Talon invite everyone to his annual Ring in Christmas Break party.”
Looking like him, like he’s the complete dumbass that he is, I disagree. “We’re not having a fucking party with all this shit going on.”
“Yes, we are,” he says sternly. “We need to carry on as usual. If we don’t have the party, it could raise suspicion.” He turns around and walks toward the door. “Come on, let's get the hell out of here before someone calls the cops.”
In a state of confusion, I walk with him, but give Pastor Jeffries one last look. He’s conscious now. His eyes look back at me and it takes all my willpower not to go back and end him. The screen door slams shut behind us and everything feels so surreal.
“That bitch of a sister of yours is stirring trouble. You ready to get your revenge and silence her once and for all?”
“Madison is a big inconvenience right now, but she’s the least of my concerns. What do you have planned?”
“I’m handling things.”
Leaning away, I look at him. “What do you mean you’re handling things?” Zed is like a fucking reaper who holds all our secrets and watches from afar. He’s constantly plotting and planning and comes out of nowhere. He never handles anything lightly and with Willa involved, questions will be asked.
Without a clue what he has up his sleeve, I nod in agreement. Madison is the least of my concerns right now, but she is a problem. “Stay away from Willa,” I tell him with stern eyes and my fists at my side.
“Willa will be fine. You gotta trust me on this one.” Stopping at my car, his body shifts to face me. “We good?” He holds up a fist.
I’m hesitant to trust Zed with my lunch money, let alone information that could destroy my life, but I knock my knuckles to his. “Yeah, we’re good.” I sure as fuck hope I don’t live to regret this. I feel like I just made a deal with the devil. But what else could I possibly lose?
19
It’s been twenty-four hours since my life unraveled. I haven’t left this bed. I’ve just wanted to sleep it all away before I completely fall apart. The possibility that Mom heard the local news has crossed my mind. Thought maybe she’d return to Redwood in a panic and try and find me. She hasn’t even tried to call, meaning she didn’t hear or she doesn’t care.
People will tell you that they have your back in good times and bad, but I’ve learned that people will drop me faster than they pick me up. No one cares. Not mom. Not Vi. Especially not Lars.
The entire town is probably rallying around Rick right now while he feeds them a sob story and plays the loving stepdad. Days and nights will pass by and no one will ever know who he really is. He’ll take the bullets thrown at everyone, tell them God is their shield, but they’ll never know he’s the one who's been holding the gun the entire time.
It doesn’t matter. I can handle the demons in my head as long as I never have to see Rick again.
Lars hasn’t even called. I’m pretty sure he’s given up on me, and why wouldn’t he? I’ve been lying to him. I was furious with Lars for so long. If it weren’t for what he did to me, Rick may have never started lashing out and staking claim in my body. This was the perfect plan to give Lars a taste of his own medicine while getting the money I needed to leave. The thing with perfect plans is, they usually fall completely apart before they come together.
Holding down the power button, I turn my phone back on. Mentally prepared for what’s waiting for me, but also prepared to ignore it all. I’m sure the entire town is talking. Some worried. Some making their own assumptions, much like Vi did. Ugh, Vi! I’m so angry with her. I cannot believe she did this. Everything was going perfectly until she made that comment on national television. I’m not sure if she’s upset because I haven’t returned her calls, or if she truly thinks that I’m off somewhere with her brother.
Maybe it was Vi who has been stalking me. It would make sense because she knew about the pregnancy. Maybe she really does think I know where her brother is and she’s been trying to get me to break.
Regardless, I’ve spent my entire life ignoring snide remarks from others; I have no problem doing it now. The one and only person whose opinion matters to me probably hates my guts now.
Unfortunately, he’s probably going to hate me more after what I’m about to do.
Me: Can you still meet tonight?
Madison said she thinks we could help each other. For whatever reason, she has a vendetta against Lars and she’s my only shot at getting him to give me the money so I can leave. There’s a good chance that after the news interview, she’s changed her mind, and if that’s the case, I’m royally screwed. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Even if I’m doubting what I’m about to do, I have to try and get some leverage over Lars so I can take back the upper hand.
Madison: Yes, one hour. It will be dark by then. And Willa, it’s all going to be ok.
My back drops back into bed and I breathe a sigh of relief.
One hour until my future is decided.
The minutes feel like hours as I drive through town. I’m well-hidden and wearing a pair of black sweatpants and
