Page 101 of Freeing Denver

I shake my head. “I had a little boy a few years ago, but he … he died shortly after being born.”

Marnie’s shoulders soften. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you.”

Lunch is served, and Spider and Eli continue their conversation. There’s so much I want to ask Marnie. Where has she been? Has Spider kept her this entire time, or did anybody else … have her?

“Children are hard work,” Marnie says, eating some fries slowly. “Do you have any experience with them?”

She’s asking about Holly.

“Yes. I’m lucky to have met some lovely kids.” Marnie meets my eye, her smile small. “Beautiful. Happy. Smart. Safe.”

Marnie’s lips tremble. “That’s nice.”

She jumps when Spider snatches her wrist. “I know what you’re doing, Marnie. Don’t think me foolish.” She stares at him with wide eyes, her chest rising and falling quickly.

“I’m sorry,” Marnie whispers. “I just wanted to know?—”

“I was going to allow you to stay here tonight,” he says, still holding her wrist. “I was going to be gracious and allow you that freedom. Now?—”

“Please,” Marnie says. “I’m sorry.”

My eyes dart between the two of them, wondering how far this could go, but Spider soon releases her, and he continues his conversation with Eli as if nothing confrontational has happened.

The rest of the meal is quiet but for Spider and Eli discussing work and sports teams. I eat slowly, as does Marnie, but we both look up when Spider speaks again.

“Marnie, you can stay here.”

She smiles brightly. “I can?”

He touches her chin. “You’ll keep Eli happy.” She nods enthusiastically, and there’s genuine joy in her eyes.

She relaxes in her seat and gives me a wide smile. It’s frightening how happy she is over such a small offer of kindness, but she’s been living this for years. I imagine she’s had few moments of joy at all.

“Good,” he says. “Once Sal arrives, you can go to the library and read.”

In the far corner, where Kitrick has been standing, he raises his head, his gaze darting between Spider and me. Even Eli tenses.

I’ve never once seen Eli tense.

“Tonight?” Eli asks.

Spider rolls his eyes. “Don’t pout. You’ve had seven weeks with her.”

“You’ve never even met this guy. He could be?—”

“He’s paying enough to do whatever he wants.”

My grip on my cutlery tightens as I stare at Kitrick. He meets my eye, and I can read his expression.

Fear.

“Will Denver be leaving tonight?” Kitrick asks smoothly.

Leaving. With Sal.

Is this the same man Kitrick said would kill me?