Chapter 42 Tish
TISH
The words from the television echo in my mind like a death sentence.
Mica Torrino…still incarcerated…girlfriend Trisha Johnston…dating hockey player Jake Sorenson…
Before I can fully process what’s happening, the lodge door bursts open and the documentary crew floods in like vultures sensing fresh carrion.
Cameras swing toward me, bright lights blind me, and voices assault me from every direction.
“Tish, can you comment on your relationship with convicted felon Mica Torrino?”
“How long have you been dating Jake Sorenson while maintaining a relationship with an inmate?”
“Are you aware that Torrino was involved in money laundering and assault?”
My chest tightens, and I can’t breathe.
The room spins as panic claws its way up my throat.
This can’t be happening. Not now.
Not when I finally feel safe.
“Get out.” Carl’s voice cuts through the chaos like a blade. He steps between me and the cameras, his broad shoulders blocking their view of me. “Get the hell out of here. Now.”
“Coach Zoren, we just want—”
“I said get out!” Carl’s voice booms through the lodge, and there’s something dangerous in his tone that makes even the boldest reporter take a step back.
The crew hesitates, but Carl takes a menacing step forward, and they finally start backing toward the door.
As soon as they’re gone, I fumble for my phone with shaking hands.
My fingers barely work as I navigate to the prison inmate database. Please, please, please…
Mica Torrino - Status: Incarcerated
I exhale shakily. He’s still locked up.
But that doesn’t stop the terror coursing through my veins.
He knows where I am now.
The whole world knows where I am.
I jump to my feet, my chair scraping against the floor. I have to get out of here.
I have to get Becky and run.
We’ve done it before; we can do it again.
“Trisha, wait.” Carl’s voice follows me as I rush toward the door, but I can’t stop. I can’t think about his concerned blue eyes or the way his silver hair catches the firelight. I can’t think about how safe I felt in his arms just hours ago.
I yank open the door and crash directly into Jake’s solid chest.
His hands immediately come up to steady me, his green eyes searching my face with worry.
“Whoa, Tish. What’s wrong? I saw the news crew leaving and—”
“I have to go.” The words tumble out in a rush. “I have to get Becky and leave. Right now.”
“Leave? What are you talking about?” Jake’s hands tighten on my arms, and I can feel the warmth of his touch even through my sweater. “Tish, you’re scaring me.”
“She’s right.” Ash’s voice makes me spin around. He’s standing behind Jake, his brown eyes dark with understanding. Of the three of them, he’s the only one who knows about Mica. The only one who understands what this means.
“Ash, thank god.” I try to push past Jake, but he doesn’t let go. “You have to help me. I need to get out of here before—”
“Before what?” Carl appears beside us, his jaw tight with frustration. “Trisha, you need to calm down and explain what’s happening.”
“Mica,” I whisper, and Ash’s expression hardens. “They said his name on the news. They said I’m his girlfriend. He’ll see it, and he’ll know where I am.”
“He’s in prison,” Ash says firmly. “He can’t hurt you.”
I shake my head frantically, my hair whipping around my face. “You don’t understand. He has connections. He has people on the outside. And now everyone knows where I am, what I look like, who I’m with.” My voice cracks. “He’ll find a way.”
Jake’s grip on my arms loosens slightly, confusion written across his handsome features. “Who’s Mica?”
“Her ex,” Ash answers grimly. “Becky’s father.”
The color drains from Jake’s face, and I see Carl stiffen behind him.
They’re starting to understand, but they don’t know the half of it.
They don’t know about the bruises, the threats, the way Mica’s eyes would go cold and empty when his temper snapped.
“I have to pack.” I pull away from Jake and start toward my cabin. “I have to get Becky and disappear again.”
All three men follow me, their footsteps crunching in the snow.
I can feel their eyes on me, can sense their confusion and concern, but I can’t stop to explain.
There isn’t time.
I burst into my cabin and immediately start throwing clothes into my suitcase.
My hands are shaking so badly I can barely fold anything properly.
“Tish, slow down.” Jake sits on the edge of my bed, his presence both comforting and distracting. “Talk to us.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” I grab Becky’s favorite stuffed animal from the nightstand. “The reporter said they tried to contact Mica for comment. Even if he didn’t respond, he’ll hear about it. Someone will tell him. And then he’ll know exactly where to find me.”
Carl leans against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest.
Even in my panic, I notice how the position makes his shoulders look impossibly broad. “What exactly are you afraid he’ll do?”
I stop packing and look at him, really look at him. His blue eyes are intense, concerned, and there’s something protective in his stance that makes my heart flutter despite everything.
“He’ll come for me,” I whisper. “He’ll come for Becky. He doesn’t let go of what he considers his.”
“Over my dead body,” Ash growls, and the fierce protectiveness in his voice sends heat spiraling through me even as terror grips my chest.
Jake stands up, moving closer to me. “Tish, we won’t let anything happen to you or Becky. You have to know that.”
I want to believe him. I want to sink into the safety they’re offering, to let their strength shield me from the storm that’s coming.
But I’ve learned the hard way that the only person I can truly count on is myself.
“You don’t understand what he’s capable of,” I say, zipping up my suitcase with shaking hands. “I have to go. Now.”
Jake catches my wrist gently, his thumb brushing over my pulse point. “Tish, you can’t go anywhere. The main roads are closed from the storm. All flights are canceled. You won’t be able to get a taxi or Uber in this snow.”
I stare at him, my heart sinking as the reality of his words hits me. We’re trapped here. Sitting ducks waiting for Mica to make his move.