35. Eva
Eva
Two years earlier
‘I don’t like this Matteas,’ I say, as we pull into the driveway of our new home in Cobal Gully.
‘It’s for the best,’ he says, putting our luxury Mercedes wagon in the four car garage. ‘It’s no longer safe for us in Melbourne.’
I know we had to move. As soon as the first arrest had been made and footage from our warehouse had been found, it was inevitable. But this—this ridiculously huge house in an almost rural town—is so obvious.
‘Don’t you think the house will draw more attention to us? Aren’t we supposed to be lying low?’
‘We’re in Cobal Gully, miles from Melbourne and the original warehouse. This is lying low.’
I’m not convinced.
I unbuckle Archie from his car seat. He had fallen asleep on the drive here and is still snoring gently.
Scooping him up in my arms, I follow Matteas into the house.
Removalists have already been, and Matteas has already spent a few days here getting the basics set up, including Archie’s cot.
I place him down on the mattress and he rouses a little before stilling again.
He’s getting big now, already two years old, and it probably won’t be long until he outgrows his cot. I’m not ready for him to grow up.
I find Matteas in the kitchen, already unpacking boxes. He unwraps our dinner plates from their protective wrapping before placing them into the empty cupboards.
Facing him, I slump onto the bar stool at the kitchen bench and sigh. ‘I’m scared,’ I say, looking up at him.
He puts down the plate he’s holding and moves around to me. He pulls me against his chest, holding me firmly, and rubbing my back. ‘Me too,’ he says. ‘But this is the right move. For us, the business and for Archie.’
I take a deep breath in, inhaling the comforting scent of my husband. I trust him more than anyone.
‘Okay.’ And I pray it really will be.
Present Day
‘Arch and I are leaving in the morning,’ I say to Matteas and Gregor when we’re back in the kitchen.
‘Absolutely not,’ Gregor says. ‘Our faces are everywhere, you’ll get caught.’
I pace the tiny kitchen, my stomach sick with anxiety. Sam’s words run around my mind on repeat.
I found some interesting information about Archie’s birth.
What does he mean? Surely he doesn’t know the truth about our son.
Because that’s what he is—our son—and nothing is going to change that.
We’re the ones who raised him, gave him everything a four-year-old could ever need or want, kept him healthy and made sure he knew how loved he was. Surely that counts for something.
‘We can’t stay here either,’ I say. ‘The cop knows something about Archie.’
Matteas exhales loudly. ‘So you’re going to leave, get caught and the authorities take Archie away.’
I stop pacing and lean against the dusty cupboard that keeps all the tinned goods.
Running a hand through my hair, I slide down until I’m sitting on the floor and hugging my knees.
‘They could be here any minute though. We’re sitting ducks.
I’d rather take the risk out there.’ Tears well in my eyes and fall down my cheeks. ‘I can’t lose my baby. Not again.’