Chapter 5
Five
Ava
“You don’t know they’re from him,” Tonya says carefully when I pull her aside after I get home. She picked up Elsie from school and has been waiting at home for me to get off work. Before she could leave, I pulled her aside and told her my fears.
He’s found us.
“Trust me,” I rasp. “I know. They were the exact same flowers, Tonya. No one pairs red roses with white daises. I’m telling you. He knows at least where I work. Word travels fast in the tech industry. Being associated with Fox Industries must have done it. That has to be it.”
“How could he have found you so fast?” Tonya grunts. “You’ve barely worked for a week—”
“He has connections,” I rasp. “Work connections and police connections. He’s got money, influence.
It could have been as simple as him searching or hell, maybe he’s had a private investigator following me.
He’s had some dealings with Fox Industries before.
I don’t know for what, but right now, they’re also my client. That has to be the connection.”
Tonya runs a hand through her hair. “This is bad, Ava. I thought we were finally safe.”
“I thought so, too. I don’t know what to do.” I lean back against the wall. “If he’s found us already, we—”
“Are we gonna have to leave again?”
I jerk at the little voice that interrupts us and turn toward where Elsie stands just inside the room.
We hadn’t even noticed her come in. Her question is sad, her entire demeanor deflated despite her being excited to tell me about her new friends earlier.
She likes this school. She likes this house.
I like this house.
I tip up my chin. We can’t leave. We can’t run forever. And I’m tired of forcing my daughter to change her life over and over again. Ric is a threat, one we’ll have to face, but I’m tired of running. I know Elsie is, too. I just. . . don’t know what to do yet.
“No, baby,” I reassure her. Tonya glances at me, but I keep my eyes on Elsie. “Go on back up and I’ll come read a book with you here shortly. What chapter were we on again?”
“Chapter eighteen,” she replies happily, her sadness forgotten.
I nod my head. “Good. Go get ready and I’ll be right up.”
Once she disappears up the stairs, Tonya meets my eyes.
“What are you going to do?” she asks. “If he knows where you are, Ava, we may have a problem.”
“I know that, but I’m tired of running,” I murmur. Straightening, my brain starts going over a plan, or some semblance of one. “We’re gonna have to fight back.”
“The restraining order didn’t stick,” Tonya points out.
Of course it didn’t. He has friends in the police force, and he was able to convince them I was being dramatic. But this isn’t home. Things may be different here, but I’m not going to risk it. I have a better idea.
“I don’t need one,” I reply, my face hardening. “I’ll take care of it, but tomorrow, take the car. No more walking even if it’s only two blocks. I’ll hire a rideshare for myself.”
Tonya pulls me into a hug. “I’m immensely proud of you,” she whispers. “But be careful how you fight back. Some stains stick to our souls.”
I meet her eyes. “My soul’s already long stained, Tonya. I’m only trying to keep Elsie from suffering the same fate.”
Fear clogs my throat and I very nearly choke on it. But for Elsie? I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her happy and safe.