Page 78 of Caught By the Chief of Staff

“But what about you?” she asks me the one thing I was hoping she wouldn’t ask, even though it needs to be said.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry…

Tears burn the back of my throat. “Don’t worry about me,” I say, forcing a smile I don’t feel to my face. “I’ll find you when it’s all over.”

“Mom….” God, sometimes, I hate how smart she is. Even though she’s only eight, I know she can tell I’m lying. She just doesn’t know about what, and I’d like to keep it that way. My sweet girl will learn soon enough.

“Just remember to run and don’t look back,” I tell her. “It’ll be fine. Just find Mrs. Amber and have her call Dad.”

She watches me for what seems like forever before she finally nods and answers me. “Okay.”

“And remember to run.” Fuck, I’m going to cry. I’m not going to get to see this beautiful, wild child grow into a woman. I’m not going to get to teach her all the things.

“I will,” she promises, and this last bit is going to kill me, but I have to hold on, because I have to see her to safety.

“And I love you more than anything in this world,” I say quietly, but I know she hears me.

“Mom,” Rachel says again, sounding more than a little alarmed now, but there’s no time to explain.

“Someone’s coming,” I whisper as I move her to stand in the corner. I grab one of the metal folding chairs and lift it over my head, ready to strike. “Just remember.”