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“Do you want some of us to go with you?”
Six whimpers. “No.”
“I have to go, it’ll be suspicious if I don’t.” Bennet gives Six a sympathetic look. “He’s an asshole but it’s not like he’s going to hurt me, at least not in public. There are hundreds of employees in that building. He can’t do anything to me, and I’m not going to give him any information.”
“I’m scared. Something doesn’t feel right.”
I agree with Six, this whole thing feels off. Bennet hasn’t heard from his father since the first day in the hospital. He was off doing shady shit in Raleigh and was seen there yesterday. So why is he here now?
“I don’t have a choice. If I don’t go, it’ll give him a reason to come looking”
Six is still shaking her head. “No, I don’t like it. We need to stay together.”
“I’m not leading him right to you if there’s any chance he knows about you or is looking for you. Keeping you safe is the most important thing. We don’t know what they want you for. For now, whatever it takes to keep you hidden is what we’re doing. Which leads me to plan B.”
“What plan B?” We discussed a lot of possibilities last night, but never locked down any official plans.
“You all need to be ready to move at a moment’s notice. Pack a bag and load it in the van now. If I send you a signal, go. Don’t tell me where you’re going, leave immediately.” He pulls out a manila envelope and tosses it to Lukas. “There are some fake IDs and enough cash to get you wherever you need to go.”
“What!? No, Bennet! This isn’t happening, we’re not leaving you!” Six is starting to panic, standing up and moving over to him.
“It’s just a precaution,” he assures her. “In the event I find out you aren’t safe here, you’ll need to move immediately before they realize what’s happening. I will catch up with you, I promise. Nothing in this world could keep me from you.” He looks down at her reverently, smoothing her hair back.
“We can hide out somewhere nearby. Camp in the woods or something.” Six tries to think of another plan, but Bennet holds her chin, looking into her eyes.
“You will go. You will get far away from here and go somewhere safe, and I will catch up to you. It’s not only your safety at stake, it’s all of us as well. You cut a tracker out of your own skull so you could come here to warn us about something, remember?” He stares her down, challenging her to argue, but it’s clear when she realizes he’s right. He’s used all of us as leverage to get her to comply, and I don’t blame him.
“You. Will. Go.” He says darkly, leveling her with a gaze that is both terrifying and arousing.
Damn.
Six finally agrees, tears streaming down her face.
Bennet addresses me next. “Tell Mr. and Mrs. Coolson to take a vacation. I don’t think anyone will chase them down, but if someone finds out we were here, they could get hurt if they are questioned. Everything they need is in their email.” I nod curtly.
He makes eye contact with each of the guys in turn. “Keep her safe, whatever it takes. I’m sure everything will be fine, but be ready just in case... You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
The way he says those last words is chilling. We all agree we’ll do whatever it takes. He nods and turns out of the room, taking Six by the hand and pulling her into the foyer.
As soon as he steps out, I turn to the guys, whispering so I can’t be overheard.
“I know where we can go. There’s a cabin in Asheville, North Carolina. I found it when I was thru hiking and was planning to move there. It’s small and pretty basic, but it’s remote and livable.” Writing down the address, I pass it to Luis, who is sitting closest to me.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“My bag is still unpacked. I’m going to run upstairs to grab it and throw some actual pants on. And then I’m going to follow Bennet. I’ll stay back and watch the building, but I think one of us should be there in case he needs backup. I don’t like him going in alone.”
In the foyer, Bennet is kissing Six with everything he’s got, so I’m able to sneak past them and up the stairs. As I’m throwing on my shoes, I hear the door close, followed by a sob from Six. Grabbing my bag and guitar case, I head back down to the living room. Six is crying into Micah’s shoulder.
Bending down, I kiss her on the cheek. “It’s going to be alright, babe.”
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“Do you really think we’d let anyone in this family go off alone? Big Daddy doesn’t scare me.”
She smiles gently, but she’s obviously worried. “Please stay safe. I don’t know what I’d do if…”
“Don’t do that,” I interrupt her. “Don’t. We’re all going to be fine. This is all just precaution, okay?” I look up at the guys. “Get ready, but I’m sure we’ll all be back in a few hours.”
