CHAPTER 1
I watched through the sideview mirror as Rachel extracted herself from my trunk. Her foot hit the back of my seat, lurching me forward into the dashboard. Dad threw his right arm in front of me to stop me from hitting the windshield and kept his left hand glued to the wheel. I fingered the leaf shaped pendant of my surveillance necklace and prayed someone at the house would think to bring up the live feed. I cleared my throat and turned to the back seat.
“Well, I guess you’re not in Canada,” I observed, my voice dry.
Rachel shook her head and waved the gun in my face. “Of course I’m not. You didn’t really think you’d get rid of me that easily, did you?”
“I guess I gave you too much credit,” I spat. “The cops found the payroll money, Cynthia. A warrant’s been issued for your arrest. I know you know that. I thought you’d be smart enough to cut your losses and skip town.”
She waved off the suggestion, pistol still in hand. “You’re right. I know your little detective friend found my Swiss account. But no matter. As I’m sure you’ve realized by now, I’ve been planning this for quite some time. I squirreled plenty of money away over the years. I raided the account to get Asher’s attention, not because I needed the cash. As for the warrant, I’ll be long gone before anyone else realizes the flight to Canada was bogus. I disposed of your security team in a rather clever way, if I do say so myself. And as soon as I’ve wrapped up this last bit of business, I’ll disappear for good.”
I knew I was her final bit of business. What I wasn’t sure of was what exactly she planned to do with me. I decided to skirt around the subject and attempt to get as detailed a confession as possible. Before I could open my mouth, she waved the gun to the right and instructed Dad to turn down a dirt road.
This can’t be good. Please God, give us more time. Kennedy won’t be expecting me at the house for at least twenty more minutes. And with the FBI swarming the place, she may be too distracted to realize I’m late. Kennedy, if there was ever a time for us to develop ESP, it’s now. For the love of God, check the security feed and send someone to help us.
Dad held his shoulders high and followed Rachel’s directions. I plowed on with my interrogation, despite my racing heart.
“You said you’ve squirreled away plenty of money over the years. You were embezzling from the company the whole time, weren’t you? Were you smuggling drugs as well? Or did you completely fabricate that evidence to put another nail in Asher’s coffin?”
“I don’t have to explain myself to you,” she replied with a snort. “But since you’re so damn interested, I guess there’s no harm in giving you a few details. I’ll think of it as honoring your final request.”
She does plan to kill me. Please God, send someone to help.
“I don’t like to think of what I did as embezzling,” she continued. “It was more like taking what was owed to me. And Asher made it so easy. After everything we’d been through together, the idea that he couldn’t trust me never crossed his mind. I syphoned money from various company accounts. The original plan was to bide my time until Luis was released from prison. As soon as he was free, the FBI was going to get an anonymous tip leading them to the storage unit upstate. There, they’d find more than enough evidence to put Asher and the other members of the family behind bars for good.”
“Which would have cleared the way for you and Luis to take over the Chavez organization,” I finished. “I have to admit, it’s a pretty good plan. You and Luis would have had Asher’s money, the family’s money, and their combined resources. So why get impatient? Why did you deviate from the original plan?”
Rachel narrowed her eyes. “You,” she growled. “Everything was perfect until you showed up. I knew you were trouble the moment Asher took your side over mine. I knew you’d turn him against me.”
“You mean you knew I saw through your horse shit,” I corrected her. “If you’d just acted like a decent human being, I’d have never had a reason to doubt you. But you’re right. The moment you sabotaged my project, you gave yourself away.”
“For the last ten years, I was Asher’s everything,” she said with a pout. “I was the one he talked to, the one he came to for advice. It didn’t matter that our relationship wasn’t romantic. What we had transcended physical love. I was his everything,” she repeated.
At some point during the drive, my purse had fallen from my lap to the floorboard. I felt it vibrate against my leg and prayed it was Kennedy calling. The missing security team already had her on high alert. I knew she’d log into the feed from my necklace the moment her call went to voicemail, if she hadn’t already. I knew our best hope was to keep Rachel talking, so I decided to play to her weakness. I dropped my eyes and lowered my voice, doing my best to sound devastated.
“You know what’s funny? I think Asher felt the same way about you,” I confessed.
Rachel’s eyes lit up and a flash of triumph passed across her face. She straightened her shoulders and turned her nose up in the air.
“You felt it too. I figured you did. That’s why you were against me from the start.”
No, bitch. I was against you because I could tell you were a deceitful, conniving traitor. But if believing I was jealous of you keeps me and Dad alive for another half hour, then by all means do so.
I sighed and nodded, my eyes still on the floorboard. “I felt it. He’s always loved you. I think he always will. Just yesterday, when I visited him at Atwater, he mentioned how worried he is about you. I guess you don’t know, but even with all of the evidence against you, Asher still believes you’re innocent.”
“Who’s full of horseshit now?” she asked, raising the gun again. “Asher knows I’m guilty. He’s never spoken to me the way he spoke to me at Luis’s cabin. You’re trying to make me happy to buy yourself some time. But you’ve forgotten, Lauren. Noone’s coming to save you this time. The security team is probably still knocked out from the gas I leaked into their surveillance van. And your beloved husband is on the lam with his piece of shit father. I have to hand it to Asher. He didn’t waste any time reverting to type. I wonder where he’ll be when he gets word that you’re dead.”
“So that’s your endgame?” I countered, already knowing the answer.
“What did you think I was going to do with you?” she snorted. “Mr. Matthews, I do apologize for dragging you into this. You were never a part of the plan. Though I guess you deserve what’s coming as much as your daughter does. After all, you’re the one who created her.”
Dad glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and mouthed “hold on.” I looped one hand around my door handle and braced my feet on the floorboard. I didn’t know what he was planning, but I figured it was best if I kept our captor as distracted as possible.
“You won’t get away with this,” I insisted. “You’ve already been caught red handed with the payroll money. When people realize we’re missing, they’ll know you’re behind it. And I have some powerful friends. There’s nowhere in the world you can run that the Montgomerys won’t find you. It may be a week from now or a decade from now, but you’ll eventually pay for this.”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take,” she replied, lifting the gun again. “You know, I was going to wait to put you out of your misery until we reached your final resting place. I already have your grave all ready for you. I wanted you to see it. But I’m sick of listening to you talk. And with Daddy here, I can kill you now without having to do any heavy lifting later. What do you say, Mr. Matthews? I think it will be wonderfully poetic for you to lower your whore daughter into the ground before climbing down to join her.”
Dad’s knuckles went white around the steering wheel and his eyes remained fixed to the road. He accelerated as we approached a curve and I instinctively held my breath. He turned the wheel sharply, sending loose dirt and gravel flying as the car spun into a fishtail. We did a one-eighty turn and the rear driver’s side slammed into a giant oak tree, folding the car in half.
For a few seconds, my senses were overwhelmed by the sounds of crushing metal and breaking glass, the smell of Dad’s deployed airbag, and the pain suddenly radiating from my right side. When the car stopped moving, I realized I’d hit the passenger door on impact. I looked to my dad, who was struggling with my seatbelt. Rachel’s pistol sat harmlessly in his lap.
“Lauren, are you okay?” he asked, his words fast and panicked. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t think of any other way out of this. Her side of the car took the brunt of the impact. Not that she’ll be able to hurt us if she wakes up.”
Pain shot from the base of my neck to my eyes as I turned my head and peered into the backseat. Rachel looked like a rag doll draped across the leather. A jagged bone popped out of her left arm and blood trickled from a large, swollen gash on her forehead.
“Lauren,” Dad said again, drawing my attention back to him. I unbuckled my seat belt and covered his hand with mine.
“I’m okay,” I assured him. “But we need to get out of this car.”
I felt my phone vibrate again, this time against my foot. I reached down and fumbled through the spilled contents of my purse until my hand found its target. Kennedy’s picture danced across the screen and I let out a sigh of relief.
“Lauren, I saw everything. Are you okay?” she demanded.
“Dad and I are fine,” I replied, attempting to open my door. It was jammed shut, so I crawled out of the driver’s side after Dad. We stood on the side of the road, neither of us taking our eyes off of Rachel.
“The police are already on their way,” Kennedy assured me. “I had a really bad feeling about ten minutes after we spoke, so I pulled up the live feed from your necklace. The FBI agents searching the house dropped everything and turned their attention to Cynthia.”
I heard sirens in the distance and felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. “Did the audio come through okay?” I asked, barely able to speak. My breaths came in long, struggled gasps and my legs felt like Jell-O beneath me. I lowered myself to the grass and stared up at the clear sky.
“Yes, we have her full confession on tape. If Asher hadn’t bolted, he’d probably have been released within a day or two,” she added, her tone taking on a sad frustration.
Damn it, Asher. I told you I was going to take care of this. And with Dad’s help, I have. I’ve always trusted you. Why couldn’t you have stayed put and trusted me?
I had so many questions, but I knew I was a long way from getting any answers. Rachel was no longer a threat, but that was of surprisingly little comfort to me. My heart pounded and my body ached. All I wanted was to curl up in my husband’s arms. But I had no idea where Asher was, or if I’d ever see him again. The ache of that uncertainty was more piercing than the physical pain rocketing through my body.
“I hear sirens,” I told Kennedy. “You’ll meet us at the police station, won’t you?” A wave of exhaustion hit me and I struggled to keep my eyes open. Dad stood in front of me, his eyes still focused like a hawk on the back seat of the car.
“No, I won’t meet you at the police station. I’ll meet you at the hospital, which is where you’re going. Jackson and I are already on our way.”
I’m not sure if I thanked her, or if I only thought the words. The pain in my body faded away as I allowed myself to slip into the darkness.
***
“Mrs. Reynolds, I know this is incredibly difficult for you. You’ve had a terrible, traumatic day. But it’s vital that we have all of the facts regarding your husband’s whereabouts,” Agent Nelson urged.
I pushed a button, lifting the head of my hospital bed. Kennedy rearranged my IV tube and monitor cords and helped me prop myself up on a pillow. I kept my breaths shallow to avoid aggravating my three broken ribs.
“I’m sorry, Agent Nelson. I have no idea where Asher is. Believe me, I’d like to find him just as much as you do.”
It was Monday morning and I was finally giving my statement to the FBI. Kennedy had managed to keep them at bay for nearly twenty-four hours, insisting that my mild concussion left me in no state to answer questions.
The footage from my surveillance necklace told the cops everything they needed to know about Rachel. In addition to the rest of her crimes, she was charged with two counts of kidnapping and attempted murder. The injuries she’d sustained in the wreck would keep her hospitalized for a few more days, but after that she was looking at a lifetime behind bars.
Unfortunately, the revelation that Rachel had been behind Asher’s so called crimes did little to soften the FBI’s attitude toward him. I couldn’t argue with their logic. If Asher was innocent, why did he run? But unlike the authorities, I knew my husband had a good reason for fleeing. I just hadn’t had a chance to figure out what that reason was.
“With all due respect, Mrs. Reynolds, you visited your husband less than twenty-four hours before he escaped. We’ve reviewed the footage from the visitation room. You and your husband shared several hushed moments. What did he say to you that he didn’t want the camera to pick up?”
I blushed and fidgeted with my IV line. “Agent Nelson, Asher and I are newlyweds. We weren’t married a week when he was wrongfully incarcerated. My husband shared intimate desires during our visit. Surely you don’t expect me to repeat them?”
He studied me for a moment. I’m not sure if he believed me or wanted to spare us both the embarrassment of pushing the issue. In the end, he decided to try a different approach.
“If Asher was an innocent newlywed determined to clear his name and get home to his bride, why did he run?”
Kennedy beat me to the reply. “Agent Nelson, if you’ll review the court files, you’ll see that I made every effort to keep Asher away from negative influences during his stay at Atwater. For whatever reason, my requests were ignored. If you want to find Asher, I suggest you focus on finding his father. Asher didn’t have time to make prison contacts or orchestrate an escape. And his accounts have been frozen for weeks. William is the one with the resources to pull this off.”
“Believe me, Mrs. Montgomery, we’re looking into every angle. I agree that William was likely the mastermind behind the breakout. But the fact remains that Asher fled. Which means whatever’s going on, he’s in it up to his neck. I believe that neither of you know where he is. But I also believe Asher will make contact with you soon, if he hasn’t already. And I don’t trust you to be forthcoming with any information he gives you.”
“I have advised my client to share everything she knows with you. But think about it. If the system had failed you as badly as it’s failed Lauren, how cooperative would you feel?”
Agent Nelson raised an eyebrow and flipped through his notebook. “Your client? I have Parker Parish listed as Mrs. Reynolds’s attorney of record. You’re listed as counsel for Mr. Reynolds. Has something changed?”
“Yes,” she replied sharply. “You have proof that my clients were innocent of their original charges. The charges against Lauren were dropped last week. This morning, I filed a motion to have the charges against Asher dismissed. Representing both of them no longer presents a conflict of interest.”
“You’re right about the conflict,” he agreed, making a note on the page. “But you’re dreaming if you think the court will address a dismissal while your client is on the run.”
“You’re underestimating my power of persuasion,” she warned. “You watched the same footage I did. Yesterday, Cynthia accused Asher of reverting to type by running away with his father. Obviously, she was talking about his criminal history. But if you consider her words in a different context, I think she was on to something.”
“What are you talking about?” Nelson asked with a dismissive huff.
I sat up and leaned toward Kennedy, much more eager for her insight than the FBI agent seemed to be.
“Think about it,” she began, settling down on the foot of my bed. “If Asher wanted to run, he could have done it before he was sent back to Atwater. Sure, he was wearing an ankle monitor. But you and I both know that lesser minds than my client’s hack into those things every day. Asher and Lauren could have quietly slipped out of the country, never to be seen again. I wouldn’t have blamed them, considering the fact they were innocent. But they stayed to face the charges, because that’s who they are. That’s their type.”
Kennedy emphasized her last word and a horrific realization washed over me. I leaned back on the bed, my palms suddenly sweaty. Agent Nelson stared back at Kennedy, still completely confused.
“So? Asher stuck around because he thought he could beat the charges. Wealthy people always assume they’re invincible. We proved him wrong, so he ran.”
Kennedy shook her head. “There’s only one reason Asher would run. The same reason he ran ten years ago.”
Agent Nelson studied her for another moment and then raised his eyebrows. “You think his life is in danger?”
I cleared my throat and opened my mouth, but no words escaped my lips. Kennedy and Nelson waited patiently while I took a long sip of ice water and tried again.
“When I went to the prison, Asher told me he’d learned more about his past. He said that his family’s connection to the Chavez family went deeper than he’d ever realized. He seemed… anxious.”
Kennedy stood and moved to the door. She held it open, signaling to Nelson that the interview was over.
“There you have it. William shared some family secrets and put his son in danger. I’m sure your investigation at Atwater will confirm our beliefs. I personally assure you that you’ll be kept up to date with any relevant information that comes our way. As you can see for yourself, Lauren is exhausted.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you for your help, Mrs. Reynolds. On behalf of the department, I apologize for your trouble with Miss Goins. I promise she won’t be causing you any further issues.”
“Thank you, Agent Nelson. Please keep me posted on any leads you get on my husband’s location.”
“I’ll keep your attorney informed on our progress,” he promised with a nod. With that, he straightened his shoulders and stepped out of the room. Kennedy let the door swing shut behind him and then turned to me, her arms folded across her chest.
“Why didn’t you tell me Asher had learned something about his past?”
I sighed and let my eyes fall closed. “I’ve been a little preoccupied, Kennedy,” I snapped. “Maybe you’ve forgotten, but I was kidnapped and held at gunpoint yesterday.”
“We were together all night Saturday. You were in perfect health then and you didn’t say a word. You just disappeared into the office… what else aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing,” I lied, my mind drifting to the mysterious John Rogers and the three million dollars I’d wired to his account. My stomach twisted with anxiety and I wondered how long it would take for the FBI to learn about the transaction.
“Lauren, I can tell when you’re lying,” Kennedy reminded me. “I can’t protect you if I don’t know what’s going on.”
I was consumed with guilt, but I couldn’t tell her the truth. I’d already decided to trust Asher. If he ran of his own will, he had good reason. I had no intention of betraying or exposing him, not even to Kennedy.
“I’m not lying, I’m just… I’m terrified, Kennedy.”
That part isn’t a lie.
“When Asher escaped, he knew it meant never being able to come back here. He left me behind. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about that.”
Kennedy dropped her arms and relaxed her shoulders. “Shit, Lauren. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. Of course you don’t know how to feel. After everything you’ve been through, you need a friend right now. And I’ve been stuck in attorney mode. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Could you call and check on my dad?”
Her lips curved into a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I guess I have done something right. I talked to your mom about an hour ago, while you were still down in the CT lab. She said your dad is pretty stiff and sore. He’s being a good patient, which makes her think he’s feeling worse than he wants to let on. But the doctors expect him to be up and around in another day or two.”
“Did he put up much of a fight about moving to Asher’s?”
I didn’t know what type of threat had driven Asher and William away; for all I knew, we were all in danger. When Mom visited me the night before and asked if there was anything she could do to make me feel better, I suggested a temporary move. She agreed without batting an eye, but I wasn’t sure Dad would be so agreeable.
“He hated the thought of closing the bed and breakfast,” Kennedy informed me. “But he ultimately agreed it was for the best. Claire called and canceled reservations for the next two weeks.”
I winced, but Kennedy smiled at me and took my hand.
“Don’t worry, none of the guests were upset. They all received vouchers for two free nights once the bed and breakfast reopens, as well as two nights at the Montgomery property of their choice. Claire said most of them acted like they’d won the lottery.”
“Thank Jackson for me,” I replied with a relieved grin.
“You can thank him yourself. He’s bringing lunch up later. And with any luck, we’ll all be home together tonight.”
“I’m so glad you’re here, Kennedy. But I feel terrible for keeping you from your lives.”
“There’s no way we’d let you go through this alone,” she insisted. “Besides, you’re not keeping us from anything. Jackson’s scouting properties and I’m on the clock more than I’m not, remember?” she teased.
I swallowed and wiped my tears on the thin hospital blanket. “For weeks, I told myself that life would be normal again as soon as Rachel was out of the way. Now, she’s been exposed. She can’t hurt us anymore. And things are worse than they’ve ever been. Will this nightmare ever end, Kennedy?”
She sighed and put a comforting arm around my shoulder. “I honestly don’t know.”
***
“Come on, sweetheart. Surely you’re sick of watching this circus. Let’s order a movie,” Mom suggested. “Or better yet, we could turn off the television and go outside. Some fresh air would do you good.”
I shook my head, my eyes fixed to Nancy Baker’s face. The blonde, judgmental news host had just spent the last fifteen minutes entertaining her audience with her less than expert psychological opinion of my husband and his criminal past. Like most of the media, she refused to acknowledge that Rachel’s guilt proved Asher’s innocence.
I’d been home from the hospital for less than twenty-four hours, and I’d been glued to the television for most of them. The more serious, business focused news networks reported the facts of the case and nothing more. The stations that made their money by sensationalizing the truth did the exact opposite. They reported Rachel’s arrest, but only as a side note in the great case of the missing billionaire.
Dozens of people from the foster system crawled out of the woodwork, along with old girlfriends, college buddies, and business associates. They all had three things in common. First, they were all convinced of Asher’s guilt. Second, deep down, they’d known he was shady all along, And third, they all seemed to take great delight in seeing him fall. Nancy was about to introduce another blast from the past with unique insight into Asher’s character when the screen suddenly went black. I turned to the kitchen and saw Claire drop the remote on the island.
“I was watching that,” I snapped.
“I know. We’ve all been watching this for hours,” she replied. “I for one can’t take it anymore and I don’t know why you’re torturing yourself. We know Asher better than some woman who poured his cereal for three weeks when he was eleven. We know better than to believe any of this nonsense.”
“Then maybe we’re the ones who should start talking,” I suggested. I’d been fighting the urge to call into the Nancy Grace Show for hours.
Kennedy shook her head. “That’s not a good idea. I know you want to make people see the truth about Asher. But they won’t trust your opinion of him. You’re obviously biased. And we don’t know where Asher is or why he ran. If you make a statement, you could inadvertently make things worse for him. We just need to sit tight and wait until he makes contact.”
If he makes contact.
I wasn’t sure where Asher was, but I was convinced that he must have heard about what happened with Rachel. I’d expected him to call, or at least find a way to get a message to me. He’d been missing for thirty-six hours and my thoughts grew darker with each moment that passed without contact from him. I could only see two possible explanations for his silence; either he was in too much danger to contact me, or he’d left with no intentions of ever speaking to me again. I didn’t know which to hope for, Asher’s safety or his love. So I sat on the couch and focused on hating the people slandering him on television.
“I’m so tired of this sit and wait, sit and wait nonsense,” I insisted. “Kennedy, you’re the one who told us we needed to watch the news so we’d know what we’re dealing with. Claire, turn the television back on. And for God’s sake, take a break from the kitchen. The constant clanking of your pots and pans is driving me crazy.”
“I can’t afford to take a break. I have to—” She stopped herself and took a deep breath, untying her apron. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
She reached for the remote, but Kennedy beat her to it. She picked it up and made her way to the couch to stand in front of me, her hands on her hips.
“Look, Lauren. I know you’re under unbelievable stress right now. So you get a little leeway when it comes to your attitude. But you’re not the boss of anyone here, and you don’t get to treat us like shit just because you’re upset. Everyone in this house has put their lives on hold, and in danger, to support you. And yes, when you were first arrested, I said it was best to watch the news. But in that situation, we already knew the truth. That isn’t the case here. Watching Nancy Baker and the trolls like her won’t do anything but plant more what ifs in your head. And that’s the last thing you need right now.”
Mom cleared her throat and reached for my hand. “Kennedy’s right, sweetheart. You look worse right now than you did when they brought you into the ER. Staying glued to the news reports isn’t healthy for you. You’ve cooperated with the FBI and Agent Nelson promised to keep us updated on their progress. If we learn anything, it will be from the authorities, not a cable news station.”
I rested my elbows on my knees, held my head in my hands, and let out a long sigh.
“I didn’t mean to sound like I don’t appreciate everything you guys have done for me,” I began. “I’m just so… so… I don’t know what the hell I am. I don’t know what the hell I’m supposed to do. And I guess I’m not handling it well.”
“You’re handling it fine,” Claire assured me. “We’re all on edge. And most of us have been cooped up in this house for weeks. Maybe we should venture past the wall, remind ourselves what it’s like to be out in the real world.”
I shook my head again. “We can’t risk it,” I insisted. “Rachel may be behind bars. But we have no idea who else may be after us. No one leaves until we’re sure it’s safe.”
Mom stood and took my hand, pulling me to my feet. “Well, we may have to stay behind this wall. But we don’t have to stay in this house. Come on, Lauren. We’re going to get some fresh air. I’m pulling the mom card, so don’t even think about arguing with me.”
I followed her toward the front door without protest. “Do either of you want to join us?” I called to my friends.
“I need to stay here. I’m researching a few leads on William,” Kennedy replied.
“I’ll stay here and keep an ear out for your dad,” Claire added. “He fell asleep before lunch was ready, so he’ll probably be famished when he wakes up.”
I turned to face them, my shoulders sunken with guilt. “Thank you both so much, for everything. I promise I’ll try to be less bitchy.”
“And we promise to call you on it again, if necessary,” Kennedy teased. “Now get out of here. Claire and I both have work to do.”
***
Mom and I made a slow, silent loop around the perimeter of the property before settling down on one of the bench swings that looked out at the valley. We rocked, still quiet, for a few long moments before she let out a long sigh and took my hand.
“I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you. Is there anything I can do to help?” The sincerity in her voice both warmed and broke my heart at the same time. I shook my head and collapsed into her arms the same way I had as a little girl. Sobs racked through my body and I cried until there were no tears left in my eyes.
“So you really haven’t heard from him, then?” Mom asked, rubbing my back with long, comforting strokes. I shook my head against her shoulder and caught my breath.
“No, I haven’t. I expected him to call by now, or send me a message. Something terrible has happened, Mom. I can feel it deep in my bones. Either Asher is in terrible danger, or I’ve been wrong about him this whole time and he’s left me. And I don’t know which to hope for. The idea that he could just walk away from what we have without turning back, it’s too much for me to bear. But at least that would mean he’s safe.”
“Shh,” Mom hushed me. “I know you’re worried, honey. But think about it. Why would Asher marry you if he didn’t love you?”
“Maybe he felt guilty,” I suggested, admitting my worst fear. “Maybe he didn’t really love me, but felt obligated to make sure I was taken care of.”
“You’re just talking nonsense now, Lauren,” she insisted. “Do you think your father and I would have been so happy about your quickie marriage if we weren’t positive that Asher loved you?”
“You really think so?”
“I know so, sweetheart. It’s all over his face when he looks at you.”
My tears started flowing again. “But Mom, don’t you understand what that means? If you’re right, it means Asher’s fallen into the middle of something terrible. It means he’s in so much danger, he can’t risk a phone call or an email.”
“Or it means that like us, he’s not exactly sure what’s going on and doesn’t want to make any moves until he is,” Mom suggested.
I bit my lower lip and considered her words. “I guess that could make sense,” I agreed.
Mom released me and leaned away, studying my eyes. I could tell she had something on her mind, but she seemed hesitant to say anything.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she assured me. “It’s just… honey, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you. That first time you came to the house after you started seeing Asher—”
“That first time I lied to you?” I asked, wincing at the memory.
“I wasn’t going to bring that up, sweetheart. But yes, that’s the day I’m talking about. I knew there was something going on with you. The next day, when we found out what Rachel had been putting you through, I still felt like it didn’t completely explain the vibes I’d gotten from you. It seemed… well honey, at times it seemed like you were saying goodbye to us for good. Not because of your words, but because of the sadness in your eyes. You were ready to run farther than the Montgomery estate if you needed to,” she finished, a statement, not a question.
I nodded, unable to meet her eyes. “I’m sorry, Mom. But yes. I was ready to disappear with Asher for good if that was the only way we could be together.”
“And now?” she pressed. “If he makes contact and asks you to join him, what will you say?”
“I’ll say yes,” I admitted without hesitation. “I know that’s not the answer you want to hear. And believe me, the decision doesn’t come without an enormous amount of guilt. But Asher’s my husband. I don’t know why he ran, but I know he’s no more of a criminal than I am. I love him and I’m going to do whatever it takes to be with him.”
Mom let out a sigh and squeeze my hand. “You’re right. It wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear. But it’s the answer I was expecting. I hate this, Lauren.”
“I know you do. I promise if it comes to that, I’ll find a way to let you know I’m safe. I’m so sorry, Mom.”
“I understand. I hate it, but I understand. I pray we’re getting ahead of ourselves and this whole mess is worked out sooner rather than later. Will you make me one more promise?”
I shifted nervously on the swing, not wanting to promise something I couldn’t deliver.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” she assured me. “At least I don’t think it is. I was just hoping if it does come to that, you’ll say goodbye before you leave?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that,” I warned. “But I promise I’ll tell you whatever’s safe for you to know. That’s the best I can do.”
“Well, I guess that’ll have to be good enough.”