AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Elena looks at me with a mixture of pity and regret and happiness. She’s glad, as I am, that our friendship is intact, but I know she feels badly about all I’ve been through. I was kidnapped the first time because of her. There are times I’m resentful, but then I think of Liam. As much as I hurt now because of him, I also can’t wish away having met him.
Elena opens the bags, finding several children’s books in each. “Oh, I can’t wait to read these to them. Thank you, Kate.”
“Of course.” I’d offer to read them to the babies when I babysat, except I won’t babysit. If Niko and Elena go somewhere, Lucy and Donovan will take the babies. That’s the price of being in their world. Their children will always be a target, and therefore, under the protection of armed people. I can’t imagine living like that.
I manage small talk for a bit longer but then make my excuses to head home. I drive my compact SUV, another purchase from Liam’s money, twenty minutes to my house in the suburbs. Going from Lucy and Donovan’s gated mansion along the river and coming to my modest home is like traveling out of Wonderland into the real world. I love my friends, but I’m definitely not cut out to live like they do.
I do have an alarm, and of course, the men across the street, but for the most part, I have a regular, quiet, sometimes boring life. I enter my house, setting the security system. I go to my bedroom, changing from my spring dress to my pajamas.
As I leave my room to go make dinner, I catch myself in the mirror over my dresser. I stop to study myself. Have I changed like Donovan and Niko said Liam had? I’m not the same woman as I was nearly a year ago, but I’m not lost.
I turn to the side and run my hand over my belly, feeling the slight swell of it. No one knows about the child I’m carrying or that Liam is the father. For the baby’s sake, it has to stay that way.
16
KATE
I’ve always loved books, and so owning a bookstore is a dream come true. Something that wouldn’t have happened without Liam’s money. I remind myself of that every time I think about Liam and how much I hate how he’s treated me. Then again, he did what he set out to do, get me back into the real world and away from his violent one.
The store is small but has a wide selection of books, and if I don’t have the book in stock, many of my patrons order it from me instead of one of the big online retailers. It’s one of the many things I love about my little town. They support local businesses.
Since it’s spring, the weather is always a crap shoot. Warm and sunny, or cold and blustery. Today, it’s raining but not storming, the perfect day to curl up with a book and a hot drink. Hopefully, others will think so and come in to buy one.
I’ve just finished stocking the newest releases when the bell over the door chimes. A man walks in, shaking his head of the rain. He’s not a regular, but I’m always happy to get new customers.
“Welcome. Is there a book you’re looking for?”
He looks up and smiles. He’s dressed in a dark suit. I peg him as a man with money. “Just browsing.”
That’s the code for don’t bother the customer. “Great. Let me know if you need any help.” I go back to the counter and busy myself with orders that have come in for my customers. I need to call them and let them know their books are here. Every now and then, I check on the man who continues to browse.
Finally, he comes to the counter with a stack of books. There’s no rhyme or reason to the selection. No single author or genre.
“You’re an eclectic reader,” I say as I ring up the books.
“I get bored easily,” he says affably. “I didn’t know there was a bookstore here. Then again, I haven’t been in town very long.”
“It was closed for a bit. I bought it a few months ago from a couple who retired. It was closed while I got myself situated.”
“Are you from here?” he asks.
“Not originally.” I sigh because I can’t tell him my true history. I can’t tell anyone about my past. It’s part of the deal in staying safe. It feels disingenuous. How can I ever make true friends, maybe even meet a man who can love me, if I can’t ever be myself? “But I grew up not far from here. How about you?”
“I’m in town on business. I don’t suppose you could recommend a restaurant?”
I give him an apologetic smile. “I don’t get out too much these days.”
“Really? Your husband isn't romantic?”
“I don’t have a husband.” Can he tell I’m pregnant? I’m behind the counter wearing an oversized sweater.
“Boyfriend?” There’s a tone to his voice that suggests he’s fishing to find out whether I’m single. There’s a part of me that is lifted by that. Liam tossed me aside, and while he said it was for my own good, it still feels like a rejection. Like I’m not good enough. This man’s interest is a boost to my ego.
“No boyfriend.”
“Well, maybe I’ll find a restaurant and we can go together sometime.”
I nod. “Maybe.” But even as I say that, I can’t imagine it. I mean, I’m pregnant. I’m sure that’s not something this man, any man, wants to take on. “Does that mean your business will keep you here for some time?” I ask.
