Page 10 of Einar (The Brigands of Ruk #2)

Chapter Ten

ROWAN

A small smile creases my face as I watch Ruby wave at Edith as we pull out of the hotel parking lot, heading south. As soon as the hotel leaves my sight, the smile slips from my face as I stare out the window. Once again, I’m lost in dark thoughts about all the things I’ve done wrong up to this point in my life.

“ Sis , we have several hours before we get to the next stop. Talk to me.”

My head falls just a bit at her words. I knew this was coming … but she’s not going to like anything I have to say, and I know she won’t stop badgering me until I tell her something.

“ I don’t know what to say, Ruby . I’m scared … I’ve ruined everything for us both.”

My hesitant words instantly get my spicy sister’s attention.

“ What the hell are you talking about?”

Her question is a harsh bark that makes me flinch a bit, but I push that aside and force myself to answer her instead of fading back into the blank space in my head.

“ Ruby , this is all your life will be from this moment on … running. Forever looking behind you, never trusting in anyone, no roots anywhere, and always wondering if someone is going to recognize you every time you’re out and about. Continuously expecting the worst out of people, no matter how good they are to you.

Sighing heavily, I fully explain my situation to her, the words so painful I must force them from my tortured throat. “ He isn’t going to divorce me, Ruby . It would cause a scandal, and he won’t do anything to hurt his career. Robert isn’t going to stop until I’m back, and this time he’ll make it feel like I was in a funhouse before. I won’t survive even one night if I go back, but maybe that would be best for all of us. I’ve not only ruined my own life by my stupid bad decisions, but now yours too.”

“ The fuck you will Rowan ! Stop this shit right now! You’ve never been the type to cry ‘poor little me’ and you’re stronger than you realize right now. Hell sis, less than twenty-four hours ago, you escaped a really bad situation in one piece. Yes , I know you feel and look like crap right now, but those wounds will heal inside and out.

I get it, your whole life has been upended by a single decision. You’re questioning yourself, and that’s normal. Right now, you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but at least you’re moving forward. As for me, hell, I haven’t had roots in years. You know that better than anyone and you know I don’t do anything I don’t want to, ever. You haven’t messed anything up for me. I was walking in circles before you called, and my life was going nowhere.

Little sister, as crazy as things are right now, we will find a way to get you away from that bastard permanently, one way or another. Do you understand me? I will not stand by and allow that monster to lure you back, even if you think it’s for the best. Because I can guarantee this isn’t going to be the first time you think if you go back, it will all be better. But you know that’s simply a lie you’re telling yourself, even if you don’t want to admit it right now.

As sad as this sounds, that house of horrors had become comfortable, your version of normal. Now you’re out here struggling to figure out which way to go and what’s next. You knew the moment I saw those bruises in that mirror, let alone when you said our safe word, that I was coming. And don’t think for one moment I didn’t come there willingly. You didn’t drag me there, Rowan . I reckon the only way I can make you see this differently is by asking … if this situation had been reversed, would you have done the same for me?”

“ You know I would have.”

And I would have. I’m not sure how, but I would’ve managed it.

I would have ... Ruby is my sister .

Her words strike a chord within me because she’s right. Everything she just said is right and I know it.

“ Then let’s do this because that dick can’t touch us if we stick together. We’ll rest and get you healed up, and then we’ll figure out our next steps. But at some point, we’re going to discuss the ‘ why’s’ of you waiting so long, and the ‘ what’ trigger it took for you to finally say enough is enough. For now, enjoy these moments of peace. You escaped, baby sister, and the hardest part is already behind you. Together , we’ll find our purpose in this world, I promise ya.”

Apparently , that’s all she has to say because she reaches over and turns the radio up, effectively ending our conversation.

I’m thankful for the reprieve. She’s given me a lot to think about.

But , if there’s one thing I know about myself, I wouldn’t ever go back to Robert voluntarily unless Ruby’s life was in danger. That’s the only reason I voiced that option earlier. Because I know Robert would finally kill me. My miserable existence would end, and Ruby would be free of the responsibility she feels toward me. It’s morbid, but true. The burden on my sister would be gone… but considering how pissed off she is at me right now, I don’t think she wants to be unburdened.

Hours pass as Ruby drives. We both made sure we went to the bathroom right before getting in the car so we wouldn’t have to stop for a while. Edith was kind enough to pack us lunch, so we didn’t stop for a midday meal either.

I’m on edge when the truck stop finally comes into view. Not that you could miss it. The building is huge and there were multiple signs informing drivers about it on the way here. I’ve been counting down the miles with every sign we saw and my anxiety has done nothing but build with each passing mile.

Ruby pulls into the parking lot and eases her way to the front of the building, winding the SUV through the overwhelming number of cars coming and going. It takes a bit, but she finally finds a spot out front and parks. Sitting there, we both look around for several minutes. Ruby starts to unbuckle her seatbelt to get out when a woman approaches the driver’s side and motions to for Ruby to roll the window down.

“ Ruby and Rowan ?”

“ Yes Ma’am , that’s us.”

“ I’m Janet . Edith called to let me know what you were driving. I need you to pull around back and park in spot number eleven. We’ll leave your car here for a few days, just to make sure they’ve not found a way to track it.”

The woman, Janet , doesn’t wait for either one of us to say anything before she turns and walks off. Sliding the gearshift into reverse, Ruby checks her mirrors before backing out and heading around back. It doesn’t take long for us to find the designated spot and Ruby pulls the front of the vehicle up, almost kissing the sign that says “eleven.” The click of a seatbelt gains my attention, and I see Ruby releasing the strap across her chest as she gets ready to exit the SUV .

“ Rowan , do you want me to go in alone, or are you coming with me?”

“ If it’s okay, I would prefer to stay in the car instead.”

It would only draw unnecessary attention to us if I went in. I’m still covered in bruises and hiding behind a hoodie in the bright sunlight will also draw attention our way.

“ I won’t be long.”

As soon as Ruby gets out, I immediately lock the doors. It doesn’t matter how reassuring she is. I refuse to take any chances, especially when I’m alone. Ruby hesitates slightly before walking through the side door, her steps full of sassy confidence.

I used to be like that. Full of life with a pep to my step.

How did I end up like this?

A broken, worthless woman who was too trusting and far too gullible. I was so desperate for love that I allowed myself to be trapped by a soulless predator.

Was it so wrong that I didn’t want to be alone, that I dreamed of a loving husband and maybe a child or two?

I’m pulled from my inner self-flagellation when a turd-brown minivan pulls up in the spot next to me. The color makes me crinkle my nose just a bit.

Who voluntarily buys a vehicle the color of poo?

Reaching up to pull my hood further across my face, the woman gets out and I recognize Janet . She closes her door, walks to the back of the van and I see the rear hatch go up. Unlocking the SUV , I ease to the rear of the SUV and do the same. Janet glances over at me and her eyes linger on my battered face for a few seconds before she speaks. “ Let’s get your stuff transferred into my van. Quickly , now! We need to be on our way as soon as possible.”

Nodding my understanding, I get to work moving bags from one car to the other. Ruby comes around the end of the car and snags the last bag, tossing it into Janet’s van. Once that task is complete, I walk around the side of the van and get in the back seat. Relief fills me as I ease down onto the seat.

I’m still in quite a bit of pain and moving around too much takes a lot out of me. Looking around, I see a comfy-looking blanket folded on the seat next to me. Easing my hand out toward it, I’m pleased to find it feels just as comfortable as it looks. Snatching it up, I wrap it around myself trying to ward off the chill that seems to have settled deep inside me. Ruby starts talking as soon as she climbs into the passenger seat. “ Janet , we swapped my car for this one a few states back. Do you think it could be returned to its owner? We didn’t steal it, but the man knew we were in trouble.”

Yes , it would be wonderful if we could give that nice man his car back. He saved our lives and didn’t even know it. Janet’s next words ease a bit of the guilt I’ve been carrying since we bought the SUV . I know we paid for it, but he could have gotten more money for it than what he sold it to us for.

“ We’ll see what we can do in the next few days You guys sit back and relax because it’s a couple hours’ drive from here.”

Without warning, seventies music fills the interior of the van. It’s a catchy, upbeat tune, and I can feel my toes tapping along with the beat of the music. I’ve always loved music in most of its forms, but Robert expressly forbade me from listening to anything unless it was a political speech he wanted me to study.

We can’t have driven any further than an hour or so, but the landscape alters drastically in that short time. Gone are the tall, green trees and in their place is now a somewhat dry looking, hostile-ish environment. The space between homes is getting further and further apart. I’m getting just a bit uneasy and I can tell Ruby is, too.

Janet must have picked up on our nerves because she starts talking as the van begins to slow. “ Girls , I know this is going to seem odd and it might make you a little uncomfortable, so perhaps I should have mentioned it earlier. But I need you both to put these blindfolds on, not only for your own protection but also the other women who are seeking sanctuary here. This is just one of the many precautions I use to keep each one of you safe. My first priority is to make sure no one knows where you are, because many have passed through my doors. If you don’t know where you are, you can’t tell anyone.

The house is about a mile up on an un-marked road. We use a different route each time we come in and out so that no one realizes anyone still lives out this way. The place is well disguised and very few know of its existence. We even have an underground garage on the other side. When we were building it, we did our best to find ways to keep it hidden.

Many times, the cameras on the property have picked up people walking right over it while hiking, never knowing it was below them.”

I can tell Ruby is flabbergasted.

To tell the truth…so am I . What on earth is this woman talking about?

Ruby digests what Janet just told us for a second before asking,

“ How ?”

“ You’ll see.”

Janet’s mysterious words sound almost…ominous.