Page 99 of Break the Barrier

The words meant to bring comfort seem to have the opposite effect on me. “I love you too, more than I can say.”

“Good, good,” she says quietly, her eyes finding the fire once more. “Just…that’s all we need right now, okay?”

I can feel myself grow frustrated, can feel her slipping awayfrom me, and I don’t even know why or what reason she has for doing it. But something isn’t right.

I think about what she’s been through.

“You’re not in any trouble, are you?” More than usual, I should clarify, but I don’t.

“Not any more than usual,” she replies with a sarcastic laugh, but she doesn’t continue.

I turn her face to mine, desperation starting to seep into the edges of my mind…but when I look at her and see her sadness, all I want to do is take it away.

“I love you.” I press my lips to hers, and her arms open for me, pulling me into the warmth of her, of her blanket, of her heart. “I love you,” I repeat again against her mouth, taking my lips down her jaw and onto her neck.

We’re quiet as we make our way to our tent. As I lay her back, and she opens herself up to me in the sleeping bag, we hold each other as we make love quietly under the stars, and I tell her I love her.

Again and again, until I know it’s ingrained in her heart.

36

thea

“Logan! Lue! Anyone home?”I call out to the empty house, already knowing that Lue is probably at Didi’s for the night, and Logan isn’t home from work just yet.

I had hoped to see Lue before she left because I got a new manuscript in the mail of one of her favorite plays that’s going on right now off Broadway. It was a gift for no real reason, other than I saw it and wanted to get it for her.

Setting the mail down that I just grabbed from the mailbox at the end of Logan’s driveway, I sift through it quickly, knowing that I don’t likely have anything sent here. I still have my mail going to the apartment.

Absentmindedly doing the chore, I almost miss it when one of the letters does have my name on it. It’s handwritten, with no return address and one stamp in the corner. I know without looking who it’s from, but fear has me unable to tear it open.

For long minutes I stand there, staring at the letter, when Isuddenly snap out of it and rip it open, already knowing that whatever is inside is going to tear me apart.

Thea Weaver…or should I say Cash?

You’ve avoided me for too long.

Looks like it’s just about time for you to pay up.

All my precious love, Eric

My blood freezes in my veins, and the first thought I have ishe knows where I live.

In this home with this sweet family, where Lue is here safely away from his brutal ways and evil demeanor, where Logan rests his head, knowing that his daughter is safe.

My second thought isI have to leave.

This thought damn near breaks me. I run my hands through my hair, letting the letter drop unceremoniously to the ground.

Heart tearing open at the thoughts that are running through my brain, one sticks out above all the rest.

I have to protect my family.

That no longer just includes my four younger sisters, but my husband—God, myhusband—my stepdaughter, who never even knew what she was to me, not fully. My new mother-in-law and brothers too.

I had to get out of here to protect them all.

Quickly, I rush to the guest bedroom and start to pack everything I’ve brought here for my stay. The one that turned into weeks of my living here.