31. Ani
Ani
B y the time we pull into our driveway, I’m feeling a little more settled.
I am free. For now.
But the relief doesn’t feel like I thought it would because I know better than to believe this is over.
My father isn’t a man who gives up. And Davit isn’t either.
I step out of the truck, the document from the psych eval clutched to my chest like it might shield me from whatever comes next. As I walk through the door, I breathe in the familiar scent of home. Home. That’s what this place is to me now.
Mae launches herself at me the second I walk through the door. “Did you win?” she asks, like it’s all been a game.
“Yes,” I tell her, bending down to hug her and kiss the top of her head. “I won.”
She beams and wraps her arms around my waist. Jonah watches us from the kitchen doorway. He comes to me and gives me a bear hug and presses a kiss to the side of my head without saying a word.
I hand the document to Boone. “We’ll scan it and get it out to the people who need it,” Boone says. “You did good, girl.”
I don’t feel as good as I’d like to though.
I still feel hunted.
But for now at least, everything is quiet.
A week passes and I fall into a rhythm again—morning coffee, easy breakfasts, slow afternoons with Mae. I try not to jump when the wind blows hard or a truck backfires as it drives by our place.
I try to sleep, and for the most part, I do. I even manage one full night. I felt absolutely glorious the next morning.
The men continue to do what they do best. Patrolling the grounds. Checking and rechecking our surveillance. And, of course, they go to the station to work. But they don’t ever leave me alone—there’s always at least one of them at home with me and Mae.
I read with Mae in the afternoons. I help her with her letters and numbers, and when she draws, she loves to show me what she’s created. I hang the pictures up on the fridge like they’re masterpieces. Because to me, they are.
I allow myself to laugh more. Smile more. I reach for Finn’s hand without thinking. I let Jonah pull me into his lap without hesitation. I lean into Boone’s touch when his hand finds my lower back on the way to bed.
We’re building something real. It’s a life, one I never thought I could have.
But I also know that all of this could disappear in the blink of an eye.
And sometimes I can’t stop thinking about that.
But I don’t tell anyone. I don’t want them to know how scared I still am.
So I smile and try to swallow my fears.
This afternoon, I’m outside with Mae. We’re a little further from the house today. Mae was tired of being cooped up, so I took her down one of the paths on her bike.
The sky is a beautiful blue and the sunlight slants through the trees. Mae is giggling about something as she rides and I feel myself relax.
Until I hear my name.
“Anoush.”
I turn my head quickly. There’s a man standing not far away. I don’t recognize him, but that doesn’t matter. Anyone who calls me Anoush is here to harm me. Or maybe Mae.
My heart hammers in my chest. “Mae. Go to the house.” She’s too busy enjoying the day to pay me any mind.
The man moves toward us.
“Mae.” My voice is sharp. It’s not my usual tone and this time she hears me immediately. “Run to the house. Now.”
She drops her bike mid-pedal and takes off at a sprint. Her little arms pumping, curls flying. I don’t look away until she’s out of view, past the last bend of the trail.
Then I turn back.
He’s closer now. So much closer. My stomach seizes.
I take a step back, heart hammering so hard I can feel it in my fingertips. I don’t run. Not yet. I need to know first that Mae is inside and safe. I just plant my feet and pray one of the guys will hear me if I scream.
“You’ve caused a lot of trouble,” he says. His tone is casual, but I know better. “Davit’s getting tired of waiting. It’s time for you to come back.”
I don’t answer.
“You think they’ll keep you safe?” His gaze flicks toward the house. “These men you’re playing house with?”
I try to control my shaking limbs.
“They’ll bleed for you,” he goes on. “Davit will make sure of it.”
Bile rises in my throat. I swallow it down and keep my voice steady. “You need to leave.”
He reaches for my arm, and the moment his fingers brush my jacket, something inside me detonates.
I jerk back with a quick intake of breath and swing hard—my fist making contact with his jaw. He doesn’t flinch, but his fake smile fades immediately.
He lunges forward again, reaching for my arms. I open my mouth to scream?—
But before I can, gunshot cracks the air.
The sound tears through the woods, so loud and sudden it reverberates through my body.
“Step back. Now. Before I put a bullet through your head.”
Boone’s voice comes behind me.
Davit’s man lifts both hands in a slow show of submission, then takes two steps back. He’s smart enough to know when he’s been beaten. He turns and walks quickly back into the trees.
I don’t move.
My legs don’t work.
My knees hit the ground hard, jarring up into my hips.
Then Boone is there.
His hands cradle my face, rough palms warm against my skin. He’s speaking and I can see his lips moving but I don’t hear a sound. I shake my head, a desperate attempt to clear the fog.
I suck in a ragged breath. Then another.
“There you are,” he soothes. “I need you with me, Ani. Are you hurt?”
I manage to shake my head. My eyes find his and hold on for dear life.
“You’re safe,” he says. “You’re okay. He’s gone.”
I don’t trust my voice, but I nod. Boone keeps one hand on my cheek, the other wraps around my body. He doesn’t move until I do. Then he’s pulling me in, arms holding tight around my shoulders.
“I—” The word catches in my throat. My whole body is shaking now, each tremor rolling through me like a tidal wave. I try again. “I’m okay.”
“Mae,” I choke out.
“She’s fine,” he says immediately. “Finn has her. She’s inside and safe.”
My breath hitches. Boone keeps one hand at my back, rubbing it slowly even though his own pulse is thudding hard where his chest presses into mine.
“Finn’s already called the sheriff,” he says. “We need to make sure the bastard doesn’t double back.”
I press my forehead to Boone’s collarbone and allow myself to fall apart, sobs wracking my body.