Page 88 of Power
“What?”
“Let me get dressed and go fill my car, and we’ll swap cars and phones. That way if anything gets tracked back, the trail ends here. Do you have cash?”
“No, I can’t ask you to do that, Tash. You’ve done so much already.”
“Don’t be a turd,” she says breaking the seriousness of everything.
I can’t help but lightly chuckle. “Thank you, Tash.”
“Let me get dressed and I’ll go out and gas my car up while you get Emily up.” She tips the rest of her coffee out and rinses her mug before disappearing into her bedroom.
I take several deep breaths knowing these next few hours are going to be difficult to explain to Emily. I walk into the guest room, and sit on the edge of the bed staring at Emily. I hear the front door open, then close. “Emily,” I say as I gently rouse her from her sleep.
“Hmmm?” she grumbles and rolls over.
“You have to wake up.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re going somewhere.”
“Where are we going?” She rolls over again, places her hands under her head and blinks at me several times.
I tuck some of her loose hair behind her ear and smile. “We’re leaving here for a little while.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“I promise I’ll tell you everything in the car, but I need you to get up now and get ready for us to leave.”
Emily’s eyes redden. “Have I done something bad?”
“No, sweetheart, not at all.”
“Have you done something bad?”
My throat constricts as I stare at my little girl. “No, I haven’t, but again, I need you to get ready because we have to go really soon.”
Emily yawns, but nods her head. “Okay, Mom.” She pushes the covers back and sits beside me on the bed. Emily lays her head on my shoulder, and I kiss the top of her head. “Love you.” She stands with a moan and heads into the bathroom.
I quickly make the bed, then grab our suitcases to get a change of clothes for both of us. When she comes out, I pointedly look at the bed. “Fresh clothes for you. What do you want for breakfast?”
“It’s too early to eat.”
“Okay.” I kiss the top of her head again, take my clothes and head into the bathroom to change. By the time I get out of the bathroom, Emily is dressed and curled up on the bed.
I hear the front door and then hear Tash call, “I’m back.”
“That was quick,” I say as I walk out to find her in the family room.
“Yeah, I only needed to top it up. Now, just so you know.” She looks over my shoulder for Emily.
“She’s laying down,” I whisper.
“Okay, I need you to know the story is everywhere.”
I close my eyes and rub at the tension across my eyebrows. “I feel sick.”
“Well, pull it together for Emily. You can do this, Reece.” Her warm arms wrap me in a tight embrace. “In the car there’s a couple of bottles of water, some snacks, and I bought a burner phone for you too. I thought if we swap phones, someone will be able to track you down. This is the safest way.”
