Chapter 16 Zach #2
So much for coming into town for an escape.
I should have never left Dare’s farm. At least I felt safe there.
I didn’t need to constantly look behind my shoulder there and I had everything a person could need.
Ingredients, a working oven, good food, cute animals, fresh air. And a sexy bear to look after.
What the hell am I doing here?
I sat back when I saw him exiting the restaurant and I could breathe a little easier with each step he took to get closer to me.
“You wanted to visit the insurance people?” he asked when he returned to the car and I pointed down the road.
He pulled up at the parking space in front of the insurance brokers’ office, and he followed me inside without me needing to ask. Of course, I didn’t. Why would I when he’d made it perfectly clear he wouldn’t let me go anywhere on my own.
As we took a seat I went back to the last time I had such a towering presence in my life. Only back then I didn’t feel safe or appreciated. I felt trapped and imposed on.
I’d spent such a long time under Victor’s shadow I would believe it if someone told me it had been centuries. How much time had I wasted relying on him? Doing everything in my power to earn his love? Trusting him? Believing him when he promised he could change?
“Mr. Hensley?” someone called my name.
I looked up and followed the young female broker to her desk.
I didn’t need to look behind me this time. I knew Dare was there and it made me smile. We both took a seat in front of the broker, and she updated me on my claim.
“We have received the fire department’s report, and they have confirmed the origins of the fire. Your case adjuster should be in touch this week to go over your documentation—”
“I thought I’d already taken care of that,” I said.
Teddy had reassured me he had taken all the photos possible and gathered all the other paperwork needed.
“You’ve been through the initial phase. He will need to verify your whereabouts, go through your finances—”
“You think he did this?” Dare exclaimed, making me jump.
“That’s not…we just need to be sure—”
“He was running a successful business. Everyone loved him. Everyone does love him. Why would he destroy his business?”
It was intoxicating watching Dare go from zero to one hundred on the protective bear scale and it warmed my heart knowing I had at least one person on my side if things turned to shit. Although how long could I take advantage of his kindness?
“I appreciate this is frustrating, but as long as you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear.”
Dare scoffed and I slid my foot across the floor to bump his. He turned to me and I pressed my lips together begging him to stop. He seemed to understand because he didn’t push it further.
“It will also be a good idea to decide what you want to do. Whether you want to purchase another food truck, or close down the business, or move it somewhere else. That way you can start getting some estimates to help with the claim?” the broker suggested.
I nodded.
She had no idea what she was asking of me.
To plan for the future. I didn’t even know what the future held for me.
Not while Victor was still around. I should have ran when he first appeared.
I was just delaying the inevitable by staying.
I’d started my life over with nothing before, I could do it again.
But then…
How could I look Dare in the eyes and tell him that? He wouldn’t accept it. He wouldn’t let me go. He had this notion that things could go back to the way they were before, but they couldn’t.
They wouldn’t.
Not while Victor was out there. Out for blood. My blood.
The broker offered me her hand and then she shook Dare’s.
“I’m telling you. He didn’t do this. You guys better not pull this insurance crap and deny him his claim,” he said.
I pulled him by the arm. I just wanted to get out of there when someone else spoke from behind the broker.
“I can assure you, Dare. These guys are legit. They know what’s what. And if I need to vouch for our Zach here, I will. We all know he didn’t do this,” the man said.
“Mr. Wilson.” I offered my hand to the older businessman and serial philanthropist and he winced.
“How many times have I told you? Just call me Jake.” I apologized. “How are you holding on? Good?”
“As good as can be considering the circumstances,” I said and glanced at the broker.
I hoped she didn’t take my reply as an admittance of guilt or something.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be okay. I’ll make sure it is.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Are you just saying that to get my vote?” I asked.
Jake chuckled.
“Of course not, though your vote wouldn’t hurt.”
I laughed.
“I’m just messing with you. You know you’ve got my vote. Wilson for mayor!” I fist pumped the air, making Jake laugh.
“That’s the spirit. I hope I can count on your vote too, Dare,” he said and then excused himself.
We followed him outside and as he entered the store next to the brokers’, we got into Dare’s truck.
He was setting off when my phone beeped and my heart jumped all the way into my throat.
I looked at my screen wishing it wasn’t him. Wishing it was someone—anyone—else.
Unknown number: I see you don’t you know you’re mine yet
I gasped.
My fingers turned to rubber, and I dropped my phone on the foot well. Dread washed all over me and I looked around us. Looked for him. For Victor.
“What happened?” Dare asked and stepped on the brakes before we’d even pulled out.
I shook my head.
“N-nothing,” I answered, barely able to breathe.
“It’s not nothing, Zach. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What happened?”
I reached for my phone and when I sat up Dare snatched it out of my hands before I could pull it out of his reach.
“Damn it, Zach. Look at all these messages. Why didn’t you say anything?”
I shrugged, feeling my eyes itch and the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
“I…I don’t know,” was my honest answer. “Because there’s nothing I can do about it? He…he can’t hurt me over texts.”
Which wasn’t exactly true considering the reaction I had every time I read one of his messages, but Dare didn’t need to know that. I’d already burdened him enough with my bullshit life.
“Oh Zach,” he sighed and reached for me, aiming for my face, but I pulled back. I looked away.
I didn’t want him touching me. Not if Victor was watching. If Dare ever touched me I wanted it to be pure, romantic, transformative. It’d be nothing of the sort if Victor was witnessing it. It’d be sullied. Dirty. Nasty.
He’d already taken so much from me. I wouldn’t allow him to take Dare too. Not him. Not ever.
“Just drive. I want to go home,” I said matter-of-factly in an effort not to cry.
I wasn’t successful.