CHAPTER SIX
736 Words
Standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes groggily, was Lucas. "Mom?" he said, very small and confused. "Where are we?"
The uncertainty on her son's face pulled at Jessica's heart. She walked over and knelt down to his level. "We're going to stay here for a little while, sweetie. Mr. Cole is going to help us."
Lucas looked up at Cole before his gaze came back down to his mom. "Is he a good man?"
Jessica smiled softly, her hand raking through his hair. "Yes, Lucas. He's a good guy."
Cole crouched beside them. His face was so soft. "I know all this is kind a confusing, but I promise you, absolutely promise that I'm gonna keep you and your mom safe, okay?"
Lucas watched him a moment, then slowly nodded, begrudging acceptance. "Okay."
Jessica's chest relaxed just a bit from its tensed hold as she watched the interaction. That was one of the things Cole had always possessed, the innate talent to make people confess to him as though he was a kind man, and it was obvious now that Lucas was starting to open up and trust him. And this was a very important step in the right direction, if that were to work at all.
As the morning wore on, he began to make the calls to his friends in hopes of finding some aid. Jessica stayed home with Lucas, struggling to maintain as much normalcy as possible for him against the tempest racing around her. With every passing hour, though, she was growing more and more agitated. They were safe at least for now, but how long could they keep this up?
Finally, Cole came back, and in his eyes was dark resolution. "I've got a secure location way out of the city where we can stay," he said. "We leave tonight. It's a private estate—no one's gonna find us there."
It was both partial relief and partial scare for Jessica. "How long do we have to stay there?
"Until we figure out who's after you and how to deal with them," Cole replied. "But I promise, it won't be forever."
Jessica nodded; this was their best option. Fast-forward seemed to be everything they did with urgency in their situation. He didn't ask many questions since Lucas felt some serious deed was happening, and Jessica was glad.
They left at night, and the lights of the city dwindled as they drove out of town. Mile after endless mile of black road lay ahead. It jittered Jessica's nerves. She watched as Lucas drifted in and out of sleep in the back seat. Praying he would just stay that way—finally now that he was blissfully unaware of the mess they really were in.
His eyes never left the path before him; his jaw flexed into an unyielding line. She could feel their predicament weighed heavily upon him, too, but he'd never back down. He'd keep her safe; he'd be damned if he didn't.
It was huge, with great looming fences and closely guarded gates. Finally, after what had felt like hours driving, they hit the estate. Cole drove in; the gates clamped shut behind them tight. Little relief hit her immediately, though Jessica was sure that feeling would be short-lived.
The estate had been shadowed and broken, the veil of night darkening as they stepped out of the car. He led her to the manor house, a more fortress-like edifice than that of home. Jessica didn't give a flying fig about the luxury or size. They were safe—for now, at least—both of them.
She got Lucas tucked in, her heart heavy with concern. She leaned down and kissed his forehead, whispering her promise that he'd be safe. Out in the hallway, there he was, Cole.
"Thank you," she said, touching his gaze, speaking softly. "For everything."
Cole nodded, his expression softening. "We're in this together, Jessica. We'll find a way to make this right.
Jessica nodded hopefully; maybe he was right. In the moon and the silence of the night, she began to feel a different serenity. They had made it through, and together they could face whatever came next. But, in fact, Jessica did know in her heart that as long as they are in the city the people may find them easily. This was where the real battle was j
ust about to begin.
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