Chapter 4
Chapter Four
RUBY
I wave at Edith as we pull out, heading south. Not having my phone to use for GPS is odd, but I figure they still wouldn’t make maps if they didn’t work. After I clear the small town and we’re back on the highway, I look over at Rowan who is once again staring out the window.
“ Sis , we have several hours before we get to the next stop. Talk to me.”
“ I don’t know what to say, Ruby . I’m so scared … I’ve ruined everything for us both.”
“ What the hell are you talking about?”
“ Ruby , this is all your life will be from this moment on … running. Forever looking behind you, never trusting in anyone, no roots anywhere, and always wondering if someone is going to recognize you every time you’re out and about. Continuously expecting the worst out of people no matter how good they are to you.
He isn’t going to divorce me, Ruby . It would cause a scandal and he won’t do anything to hurt his career. Robert isn’t going to stop until I’m back, and this time he’ll make it feel like I was in a funhouse before. I won’t survive even a night if I go back, but maybe that would be best for all of us. I’ve not only ruined my own life by my stupid bad decisions, but now yours too.”
“ The fuck you will Rowan ! Stop this shit right now! You’ve never been the type to yell ‘poor little me’ and you’re stronger than you realize right now. Hell Sis , less than twenty-four hours ago, you escaped a really bad situation in one piece. Yes , I know you feel and look like crap right now, but those wounds will heal inside and out.
I get it, your whole life has been upended by a single decision. You’re questioning yourself, and that’s normal. Right now, you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but at least you’re moving forward. As for me, hell, I haven’t had roots in years. You know that better than anyone and you know I don’t do anything I don’t want to, ever. You haven’t messed anything up for me. I was walking in circles before you called, and my life was going nowhere.
Little sister, as crazy as things are right now, we will find a way to get you away from that bastard permanently, one way or another. Do you understand me? I will not stand by and allow that monster to lure you back, even if you think it’s for the best. Because I can guarantee this isn’t going to be the first time you think if you go back, it will all be better. But you know that’s simply a lie you’re telling yourself, even if you don’t want to admit it right now.
As sad as this sounds, that house of horrors had become comfortable, your version of normal. Now you’re out here struggling to figure out which way to go and what’s next. You knew the moment I saw those bruises in that mirror, let alone when you said our safe word, that I was coming. And don’t think for one moment I didn’t come there willingly. You didn’t drag me there, Rowan . I reckon the only way I can make you see this differently is by asking … if this situation had been reversed, would you have done the same for me?”
“ You know I would have.”
“ Then let’s do this because that dick can’t touch us if we stick together. We’ll rest and get you healed up, and then we’ll figure out our next steps. But at some point, we’re going to discuss the ‘ why’s’ of you waiting so long, and the ‘ what’ trigger it took for you to finally say enough is enough. For now, enjoy these moments of peace. You escaped baby sister, and the hardest part is already behind you. Together we’ll find our purpose in this world, I promise ya.”
I don’t bother her anymore as I reach over and turn the radio up. The miles pass by in a blur as I head down the highway. Luckily , we don’t need to stop anywhere to eat since Edith packed us a light lunch to bring along.
Janet was right about not being able to miss the truck stop. There were signs that said it was coming up for miles in advance. Pulling in, I take my time maneuvering through all the vehicles coming in and out of the lot. Parking out front, I take a few minutes to look around, but before I can get out of the car, a woman approaches.
She motions for me to roll the window down. “ Ruby and Rowan ?”
“ Yes , Ma’am , that’s us.”
“ I’m Janet . Edith called to let me know what you were driving. I need you to pull around back and park in spot number eleven. We’ll leave your car here for a few days, just to make sure they’ve not found a way to track it.”
She doesn’t wait for me to answer, just turns away and walks back into the building. Putting the SUV in reverse, I head around the building as she asked. It’s hard to trust a stranger like this, but she’s the best option we have right now. “ Rowan , do you want me to go in alone, or are you coming with me?”
“ If it’s okay, I would prefer to stay in the car instead.”
“ I won’t be long.”
When I get out, I hear her lock the doors. Hesitantly , I walk inside, my eyes searching for any familiar faces. It takes me a moment to spot Janet sitting in a corner booth by herself. There is nothing notable about her that you would notice at first glance, but I can see how watchful her gaze is. The moment I slide in, she motions for the waitress. “ How do you take your coffee?”
“ More cream than coffee, please.” Janet doesn’t say another word until the server walks away.
“ I see your sister decided to stay in the car?”
“ She did. I’m not sure what you need from us, and I’m completely out of my element here, but we need help desperately. Even if it’s just for a few days until we can figure out what to do next.”
“ Take a breath, honey. Which one are you, Rowan , or Ruby ?”
“ I’m Ruby .”
“ Well Ruby , I’ve been watching the news. So far, neither of you have been mentioned, but that doesn’t mean anything. I need to know who to watch out for. I have several other girls who are also under my care that I can’t or won’t endanger for anyone. Just who was your sister messed up with?”
“ She’s married to Senator Robert Dean McAllen . They’ve been together for several years. Rowan was young and an easy target, with little family besides me after mom died. He was older and knew how to use all that fake charm to get what he wanted. Once he had that piece of paper saying she was his, in name at least, he apparently believed that it gave him the right to abuse her as he pleased. I didn’t know any of this was happening until a few days ago. She did a great job keeping it from me.”
“ They usually do. I’m sure when she finally opens up to you, her story will be even worse than what you’ve imagined. Those types of men thrive on control. They have a way of convincing you that your only worth is what they allow, and somehow their abuse is all your fault. I’ll put out some feelers to see if he has any mercenaries on your tail. He’ll probably want to get his wife back quickly to safeguard his reputation.
I don’t think I need to tell you that if she goes back, she won’t make it long. It’s easy for them to act heartbroken when the little wife unexpectedly has a bad accident. I should be able to get the two of you to the safe house before anyone knows or sees anything. Worst case scenario, we might have to move you guys a few times later on.
Ruby , you do realize that this is your life now, at least for a while? There’s no way you can go back to what, where, or who you were before. The moment he realizes she’s gone, he’ll be looking just as hard for you, if only so he can use you against her.”
“ Janet , I knew the moment I saw the bruises on her body, that things were going to get really hard before they got any better. Rowan is all I have left in this world, and I’ll be damned if I ever let that fucker hurt her again.”
The waitress drops my coffee off and I take a sip, trying to calm my nerves. I feel like every eye in the place is on us while Janet sits there on the other side of the table, calmly sipping her own drink.
“ Take a deep breath, Ruby . You’re no longer alone, fighting a battle you don’t have any clue how to win. I’m going to get up, go pay our bill, and then meet you out back. I’m driving a brown, average looking minivan. Stay here, drink your coffee, and take a moment for yourself to get your thoughts together. Once you’re outside, we’ll get your stuff transferred over into the van and be on our way. I’m gonna leave your car here for a few days. There’s a camera on the outside of the building over that particular spot, and I can watch to see if anyone comes this far.”
I nod my head and she gets up, patting my shoulder gently as she walks past. Closing my eyes, I try to calm my mind, but I’m too wound up. Setting my coffee back down on the table, I dig out the few dollar bills I have in my pocket and throw them on the table.
When I get outside, I’m actually shocked to see that Rowan is out of the car, helping Janet load the van with the few items we had in the back. Once the SUV is empty, I lean down using Rowan’s trusty dime that I’ve kept in my pocket and take my old tag off the car. Rowan is already in the back seat of the van when I come around to get in the passenger side.
“ Janet , we swapped my car for this one a few states back. Do you think it could be returned to its owner? We didn’t steal it, but the man knew we were in trouble.”
“ We’ll see what we can do in the next few days You guys sit back and relax because it’s a couple hours’ drive from here.”
I glance at Rowan who has stretched out in the back seat with a blanket wrapped around her. Janet turns the radio on to an old seventies station and I kick my shoes off and lean back, enjoying the big seats in the van.
My eyes glance over toward Janet several times, wondering what happened in her life? She’s older, probably early fifties. Her straight, dirty blond hair is turning gray around her temples, and sunspots mar the skin on her hands and arms. However , her weary blue eyes show the horrors she has witnessed firsthand. I see her glance in the review mirror at Rowan in the back, and then she turns, giving me a sad smile. There’s no missing the age lines around her mouth and eyes, and I’m sure she was quite pretty when she was younger. But something took the light out of her eyes, and I swear I’m seeing that same dullness in my own sister’s eyes now.
Shaking my head, I turn and look out the window at the passing scenery. The only sound in the van is the low music coming from the speakers. After traveling about an hour, the view changes from tall, lush, green trees to a dry desert area. The houses are getting further and further apart with each passing mile, and I look over at Janet when we start to slow down.
“ Girls , I know this is going to seem odd and it might make you a little uncomfortable, so perhaps should have mentioned it earlier. But I need you both to put these blindfolds on, not only for your own protection, but also the other women who are seeking sanctuary here. This is just one of the many precautions I use to keep each one of you safe. My first priority is to make sure no one knows where you are, because many have passed through my doors. If you don’t know where you are, you can’t tell anyone.
The house is about a mile up on an un-marked road. We use a different route each time we come in and out so that no one realizes anyone still lives out this way. The place is well disguised and very few know of its existence. We even have an underground garage on the other side. When we were building it, we did our best to find ways to keep it hidden.”
“ Many times, the cameras on the property have picked up people walking right over it while hiking, never knowing it was below them.”
“ How ?”
“ You’ll see.”