2. Zoey
ZOEY
S ome of the tension left my body as the “Welcome to Boldercrest” sign came into view.
Sam and Heather had settled here after Sam’s and my mother’s divorce.
I’d preferred to stay with my mother, so Sam and Heather had made the trip to visit me whenever possible.
I’d never set foot in Boldercrest or ever mentioned the town, so George knew nothing of it.
And I hoped it stayed that way for a while.
After we escaped George’s compound, Sam had driven us to a motel, where he handed me the car keys and a list of directions. He had to return to Boldercrest to make preparations for our arrival, and it would be best for him not to be seen with us in case someone saw us and reported back to George.
Ro and I had been on the run for seven days—a different hotel each night, and an endless loop of rental cars. I was tired of looking over my shoulder.
I’d even gone through the process of buying airline tickets, taking Ro to the airport, and going through security.
We sent some empty luggage to London. George would assume I’d scurried off to London to hide with my mother.
Wouldn’t he be in for a shock? I was still in the US, and my mother didn’t even know I’d left him.
If George had followed the breadcrumbs I’d left, he’d be at Heathrow Airport in London right about now, pacing the crowded terminal, scanning the faces of strangers but never finding mine. The thought brought a grim smile of satisfaction to my face.
It gave Roland and me some breathing space, too.
Only after he found my mom would he discover he’d been tricked into a wild goose chase, squandering both time and money.
I was under no illusion that he would eventually track us down, and when he did, his fury would be unmatched.
My anxiety levels ramped up, and I gripped the steering wheel so hard, it hurt my fingers.
“Mommy, are we there yet?” Ro’s sleepy voice cut through the noise and brought me back to the present.
“Almost, baby,” I replied, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. His innocent face held none of the fear that gnawed at my insides, and I was grateful for that. He gave an enormous yawn. Ro had been so brave throughout this long journey. He’d taken every twisting step in stride.
As I drove past the welcome sign, the unfamiliar streets brought a feeling of security I hadn’t experienced in ages.
Since my stepfather was a shifter and a member of the local pack, coming to this town meant safety with an added shield of protection.
With my permission, Sam had informed the pack’s alpha about our situation, including that I was human.
That knowledge alone made the muscles in my neck relax just a fraction.
George might be powerful, but he’d hesitate before crossing another alpha and a shifter pack. At least, I hoped he would.
I watched Ro in the rearview mirror, my mind churning with plans. George wouldn’t stay fooled for long. Already, I had a clock ticking down in the back of my mind, but for now, I would try to silence it.
“Here we are, Ro,” I said, my voice cracking as I parked the car in front of Heather’s house. She was Sam’s daughter with my mom, not that he ever treated the two of us any differently. I was his daughter in everything but blood.
Sam’s home was just a few houses down the street, but it was too small for Ro and me to stay there.
Heather had the room for us, but I hated to think she was only letting us stay with her out of loyalty to her dad.
George had made it impossible to stay in touch with family and friends, wanting me to be focused only on him.
He’d damaged all my relationships, deliberately isolating me from those who would have stood by me.
Would Heather understand I hadn’t caused this divide?
Stepping out of the car, I drew in a shaky breath. Heather stood on the porch, her petite figure almost vibrating with anticipation.
“Zoey!” Heather called out in a trembling voice. Tears welled in my eyes, and all I could do was nod. How many years had it been? Too many. George had stolen so much from me.
“Hey,” I croaked out, my throat constricting as I approached her. “I’ve missed you.”
Heather rushed toward me, tears shimmering in her bright green eyes. She looked me over, her gaze intense and worried. “You’re so thin,” she whispered.
“It’s nothing,” I said, brushing off her concern with a half-hearted smile. “George... he never liked…”
I stopped myself. Explaining was unnecessary. Heather was fully aware of the kind of man he was—she’d been one of the first to warn me George wasn’t everything he appeared to be. I’d ignored her, believing George when he told me she was just jealous of the time I spent with him.
Once I’d set up the email to discuss the escape plan with Sam, Heather and I had reconnected through a flurry of back-and-forth messages.
“Let’s not talk about him,” I said quickly, glancing down at Ro. “Not now.”
“Of course,” Heather replied, wiping away her tears.
“You’re safe here, Zoey. That’s all that matters.
” She opened her arms, and I stepped into her embrace without hesitation, allowing myself this moment of vulnerability, this sliver of homecoming.
Perhaps she was just as keen to rekindle our relationship as I was.
“Zoey, I swear, if you even think about going back to him, I’ll tie you to the bed,” she warned with a protective edge that warmed me to my core.
I laughed, a short, disbelieving sound. “Not a chance.” The conviction in my voice surprised me. I felt it then, the resolve settling into my bones.
“Ro,” Heather breathed out as she released me and knelt.
Roland hesitated, his eyes darting between Heather and me, seeking reassurance. It broke my heart that he didn’t remember her or Sam, but he’d been a toddler the last time they’d seen him.
At my nod, he stepped forward, and Heather wrapped her arms around him, her sobs muffled against his shoulder. “You’ve gotten so big,” she whispered.
Roland slowly relaxed into the hug, his hands tentatively patting her back. Tears pricked the back of my eyes at this bittersweet reunion. Yet another thing George had stolen from us. My son should have known his aunt.
“Come inside,” Heather urged after a moment, wiping her tears with the cuff of her sweater. “We have a lot to catch up on, and I’ve got plans.”
That piqued my curiosity. “Plans?”
“Yep,” she confirmed, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Let’s just say George’s allowance will be put to better use.”
“Really?” I asked, thinking of the money I’d squirreled away.
The monthly “allowance” George gave me was supposed to go towards groceries, toiletries, and clothing for Ro and me.
Two years ago, when the violence began escalating and George took less care to hide it and stopped promising to change, I’d managed to open a bank account he was completely unaware of.
It had been one of the extremely rare occasions when the guard assigned to me hadn’t paid much attention to where I went during the weekly errands.
George never checked what I purchased so long as I didn’t ask for more money.
So, I became a thrifty shopper. I bought cheap toiletries for myself and transferred them into name-brand bottles.
It hadn’t always been easy. Most of the guards were attentive while I shopped, and I never knew when George would ask for the receipts, but I managed.
Each cent saved was a small act of rebellion.
When I reconnected with Sam, I’d given him access to the account so he could use the money to help fund my escape. I had a small amount left, enough to sustain me for a short period before I’d have to find a job.
“Zoey?” Heather’s perceptive gaze met mine. “Let’s get you both settled, then we’re going shopping. New clothes, new toys for Ro, whatever you need to start fresh.”
“Mommy.” Ro tugged on my hand. “Can I really get new toys?”
With a playful laugh, Heather said, “A little birdie told me you’ve been a good boy for your mom. I think there might be a little surprise waiting for you in the house.”
Ro began pulling me toward the door. The innocence radiating off his face was impossible to ignore. “Is the birdie still in the house?”
Heather’s lips curled into a small smile. “Sorry, Ro,” she said, trying to contain her amusement. “He flew away when he heard the car. Maybe he’ll come back, but he’s shy.”
“Thank you,” I mouthed over Ro’s head. The reality of a life with Roland, away from George’s influence, was starting to take shape.
“Thank me later,” she said, her smile reaching her eyes. “Right now, let’s focus on getting you both inside.”
“Hold on, Ro,” I said. “We need to get our bags from the car.”
He grunted with frustration, keen to get in the house to see what Heather’s birdie had left.
After closing the trunk, I handed Ro his small backpack while Heather effortlessly lifted mine.
“Zoey?” a male voice called “Ro? Is that you?”
My heart leaped at the sound of my name, and a surge of adrenaline pumped through me, preparing me for fight or flight.
Ro gripped my hand, anchoring me in place, keeping me from taking off.
Boldercrest is safe, George is not here .
I repeated those words over and over, and the knot of distress inside me slowly eased.
“Oh, darling girl, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
I flushed, aware that shifters would detect every subtle change in my scent. The overwhelming fear emanating from me was nothing short of humiliating. I hadn’t heard anyone approach, and that wouldn’t do. I had to be more vigilant. Keep a closer eye on my surroundings and the people near us.
The man standing at Heather’s gate was a welcome sight, though.