Page 45 of Everything After

“Maybe one day,” she says. “Maybe this is my chance to start over somewhere new.”

“The sheriff may try to reach out,” I warn her.

“I talked to an agent with the FBI already,” she says. “I am meeting them in the morning at a motel.”

“Take care of yourself, Kate,” Bella says, hugging her.

Kate looks at Beckett and Mason, wanting to hug them. They both look at Bella and me before Mason gently pulls her in for a hug. “I’m so sorry,” she says, choking out a sob.

“It’s okay, Kate,” Mason says, hugging her. She is trying so hard not to fall apart, and I know her son is the reason why.

When she pulls back, Beckett hugs her, and her body shakes as she fights with her emotions. Beckett doesn’t say anything until she pulls back. “I’m sorry he used you to hurt us, Kate. You didn’t deserve any of that.”

“Maybe I’m just meant to be alone,” she says with a tearful laugh. “Asher is all I need.”

“I truly hope you find someone one day who loves you the way you deserve,” Beckett tells her. “That loves both of you the way you deserve.”

“You ready for our road trip, Asher?”

“Daddy isn’t coming, is he?” Asher asks.

“No, baby. Just you and me,” she says, taking his hand. “Good luck, y’all.”

“Drive safe, Kate,” I say as we walk her to the door. We stand in silence as she puts her son in his seat and gets into the driver’s seat. When her taillights disappear, I break the silence.

“I’m proud of her,” I say.

“I can’t imagine what he put her through,” Bella says.

“I can,” I say quietly.

Chapter Twenty

Beckett

I slowly wake, and it’s still dark. I reach out and find the sheets cold. I look over, and the bathroom door is slightly cracked, and the light is on. “You fall in?” I tease.

Nothing.

“Kitten?” I call out, but I get nothing in response. I swing my legs off the bed and stand. The clock reads 3:17 AM. I walk to the bathroom door and slowly push it open. “You okay in…”

I stop when I find the bathroom is empty. Panic settles immediately, and I leave the room. “Sierra?” I call out. “Where are you?”

“What the fuck?” Bella mutters, rubbing her eyes as she walks out of the room with Mason half asleep behind her.

“I can’t find Sierra,” I say, stepping past her to check the living room.

“Hey,” I say, kicking the couch to startle Ace awake.

“Jesus, dude,” he gasps and sits up.

“Has Sierra been in here?” I ask.

“What? No. Why?” he asks, jumping up when I walk away from him. I walk into the kitchen, and real fear floods my mind when I find that the back door is open, but Sierra isn’t here.

“Wake up Dad,” I say, turning back to get my pistol from the bedroom. “She’s gone.”

Chapter Twenty-One