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A sob rips out of my chest.
I can’t keep doing this. Something needs to change.
Shame and humiliation consume me, and my body crumples. It’s one thing for people to suspect that Andrew knocks my mom and me around, but it’s another thing for them to know I sleep outside to avoid his fists.
At least I got my bag.
I shiver, remembering the first night he chased me out of the house. No coat, no blanket, no shelter, no hope. That had been a long fucking night, one I’d learned from. The small pop-up tent in my bag wouldn’t do much in a bear attack, but as far as rain and wind go . . . it’ll do.
For a second, I think about staying at Cromwell’s summer camp. The grounds are closed for winter, so it’d be safe. But after the Halloween party some college kids threw, the cabins will be locked up like Fort Knox.
Besides, Sam Cromwell might be my friend, but I still don’t want to risk pissing off her brothers.
I heave a sigh, shuffle to my knees, and tug the bag closer. Might as well get comfy for the night.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ajax
“Piglet, that’s three stories. We agreed on two,” I remind Mary with a raised brow.
A cheeky smile is my only answer, followed by a small pout.
“Mary,” I stress.
My daughter sighs, resigned.
“One more?”
Now, I’m sighing. Settling back against the headboard, I ignore her grin of triumph. One day, I’ll stop being a pushover.
One day, she’ll stop asking me to read her a bedtime story,I remind myself. Might as well enjoy it while I can. She won’t be a baby forever, even if she’ll always be my baby. So I read her a fourth story, a fifth, and a sixth.
Safe in the knowledge that she’s fast asleep, I makemy way out of her small room, quietly closing the door. Once asleep, that girl won’t wake up for nothing short of a bomb.
My eyes scan the windows even though I know they’re locked. Mary will be safe while I’m out.
We’re parked in the town’s RV park. While not busy enough that I’m worried about being seen, it is populated enough that a break-in is not happening. Not that anyone is getting past the four locks on our motorhome.
The idea of leaving her here eats at me, but it can’t be avoided. A babysitter would highlight that I’m not here, taking my alibi if I need it. Besides, experience tells me the guy from the grocery store will be with his girl tonight, the same as last night. He wants to keep his distance the same as I do. I don’t know what it is, but my gut tells me Mary is safe here while I’m out. If I thought otherwise, I wouldn’t leave.
Not for anything or anyone.
Walking through the RV, I pick up my quiver and bow, thumbing the bowstring.
My blood heats. I can’t remember ever being this excited for a hunt. The anticipation has been killing me since yesterday.
My plan of snatching her away last night was killed quickly when a camper farther down decided that a late Halloween party was in order. Fucker and his friends were outside drinking until three in the morning, forcing me to wait until tonight. Eventracking that shitty Ford to her house hadn’t helped ease my needs.
At least Mary had slept through the music. But the air outside tonight is cold and still. Everyone on the site is tucked away in their motor homes.
My cock twitches, growing.
Tonight is different. I’m not just hunting for the kill. Today, I’m bringing home a trophy.
A smirk pulls at the corner of my mouth.
Time to go hunting.
