Page 20 of Always Right Here

Everyone stayed silent as Riah digested the information. Her face was unreadable, but it didn’t look like she hated the idea.

“Well, sweetie,” Sadie started. “It’s up to you. Would you be okay doing something like that?”

Finally, Riah sighed, her face falling into her hands with a groan.

“I’m supposed to start work in a few days, I can’t just disappear! I’ll ruin everything I’ve worked for.”

“No, no. You won’t be ruining anything. I will have the detectives we are working with send over any information your job needs.”

“Yeah and if they have a problem with it, we will make a bigger problem,” Edward added. I knew he meant it, too. He had been a big-time lawyer and I’d seen him go toe to toewith some of the most vicious men in the business. None as vicious as him, though.

“Okay. Let’s do it. When do we leave?”

Excitement settled in my bones.

“As soon as possible, but we need an extraction plan. It would be pointless if they are watching, see us go and then follow. The safehouse stays stocked with supplies and food at all times, just in case, so we’ll just need to pack you some clothes.”

A plan was set in motion. Sadie and Riah, who shared a striking resemblance even as mother and daughter, switched clothes. Sadie stayed behind while Riah and her father drove away in their car. Eddie, Chrissy and their daughter left in their car, the plan was for them to come back in a few hours because they ‘forgot something’ and discreetly pick up Sadie.

I waited about 30 minutes after Edward and Riah left, then hopped in my own car to switch Riah into my car at the meetup spot. The plan wasn’t flawless, but it was the best we had.

When I reached the meetup spot, Riah and Edward said their heartfelt goodbyes, Edward thanked me profusely for our help and I promised to get his little girl back home safe and in one piece. He watched us until we disappeared down the road.

I turned and cruised down random streets and highways until I was sure nobody was coming after us. Riah stayed silent, her arms hugged tightly around her body and her hoodie tightened around her face. When I made it to our intended route, I squeezed her thigh gently.

“It's safe now, Riah. We are going to be okay. I promise.”

She finally looked over at me, her big, brown eyes glossy with unshed tears. With one hand onthe wheel and my eyes still on the road, I reached over with my free hand to caress her cheek.

“I know it’s hard, but everything will be better after this.”

She leaned into my touch as warm tears brushed against my thumb. I wiped her tears before reaching into the cup holder and handing her a metal water bottle.

“Here, drink,” I commanded softly. “It’ll help you relax.”

“Is it…old?” She scrunched her nose.So cute.

“No, I just put it in there today, should be fine.”

She sucked down a few mouthfuls before returning it to the cup holder. A few moments later, her tears stopped flowing. She slumped against the door, her forehead pressed to the window, and drifted into a deep sleep.

By the time she woke up, we would be at our destination. Just her and me, the only one who could keep her protected. Finally, she’d be safe and she’d see how much I cared for her.

Chapter 18

The Stalker

My sweet, beautiful, naive girl. She thinks she’s gotten away. She thinks she’s safe. Well, she is safe, just not in the way she thinks. She can run to the ends of the Earth and she would never escape from me.

In fact, she’s headed right where I want her.

Chapter 19

Riah

I peeled my groggy eyes open just as Korie and I were rolling to a stop. I sat up slowly and looked around me. The car was surrounded by tall, lush trees for as far as I could see. Out the front window, a small wooden cabin stuck out from between the trees, almost camouflaged in the heavy woods.

“We’re here,” Korie said softly, running a hand over my thigh.