Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
And as promised, there are no bodies in this house. No smell to deal with outside of the rotting food in the fridge and freezer.
“Fine,” says Dean. “You two get to choose this place. But I’m keeping the tank.”
He’s relaxing in one of the dark brown leather armchairs in the living room while I make a fire. Tonight is cool enough to warrant it. And smoke from a chimney at night doesn’t stand out in the same way as it does during the day. There might still be buildings on fire in the cities, but we don’t want to risk bringing attention to ourselves. Meeting new people needs to be done much more carefully with Sophie in the mix.
I wrinkle my nose in confusion. “The tank at the blockade?”
“Yes. One of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, too.”
“Okay.”
Sophie is fast asleep and sprawled across the matching brown leather couch. All of the cartwheels and handstands and inspecting houses took it out of her. There’s a large navy-and-cream rug on the floor, cushions and throws in the same colors, and chunky antique wooden furniture. Whoever decorated the house had taste. It’s a nice balance of style and comfort.
Sophie and I chose a photo of the family who used to own the house to leave hanging in the hallway. The rest of their photos are going into storage. We want to be respectful, but it’s our place now. She also chose some pictures of her mom for her room and on the mantel. And when I am ready, I’ll hang photos of my family too.
“It’s a week today since this started,” I say. “Happy anniversary.”
“You don’t seem to want to kill me quite as much as you used to.”
“Eh.”
“That’s all you’ve got to say?”
I shrug and feed another twig to the fire. This is so soothing. Some part of me must be a pyromaniac. And I don’t question why I’m content to share a house with my jailer or hang out with him. There has to come a time when his rights outweigh his wrongs. Or when his reasons for doing fucked-up things take precedence. I don’t know. Nothing else in this new world makes sense. My thoughts and feelings for him aren’t likely to be any different. He’s going to help me keep Sophie safe, and that’s the priority. For now, this is how things are and it feels right.
“Would she be better off with Natalia and Leon?” I ask, searching for another subject to worry over. Seems to be the night for it.
“Why would you think that?”
“They’re older, wiser…Natalia has raised children and knows what she’s doing.”
He watches me in silence for a moment.
“What?”
“I am trying to figure out what you want me to say,” he says. “What you want to hear.”
“How about you just share your honest thoughts and feelings on the subject with me?”
The man sighs. “Okay. They’re older, wiser, and Natalia has raised children and does know what she’s doing. But Soph chose you—”
“I was the first female that came along.”
“She seems happy with us,” he says. “It’s only been a day or so. But she’s eating and smiling and talking and doing all of the things she should be.”
“She’s also crying herself to sleep.”
“Of course she is. Everyone she knew is dead. Where is this coming from?”
“I don’t know.”
“Neither of us were expecting to become guardians to a nine-year-old. Do you really not want…” And he doesn’t finish the sentence. He doesn’t need to. “Or are you worried we’re going to mess things up?”
“The second one.”
“Are you worried I’m going to mess things up?” he asks. “I’d understand if you are.”
“No. As strange as it seems, I do trust you on this. I know you’re on our side.”
“I think that’s what Soph thinks about you. She’s knows you’re on her side.” He narrows his gaze on me. “I don’t know, Astrid. I kidnapped someone for the first time last week. Not sure I should be giving advice on anything. Certainly nothing as important as she is.”
“She is so important.” I stare at the sleeping child. So angelic. “What if we just keep trying to do our best for now?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“It’s agreed, then. Good meeting.”
“Right.” He frowns and shakes his head. “Do you just like beating yourself up with ideas now and then or what?”
“I needed to be sure we were doing the right thing for her out of the options available to us.”
“Guess it’s good that you care,” he says. “That you’re trying to put her first. We need to be careful with anyone new coming in. Make sure they don’t hurt her. She’s been through enough.”
“Yeah. Gun lessons starting tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow.” He nods. “I can’t wait to see what you’re like when you’re armed.”
CHAPTER NINE
FRIDAY
“Front sight, ejection port, slide, and rear sight.” Dean points out each part of the weapon. “Safety lever and magazine release.”