Page 35 of In Death, Love Survives

TWENTY

Nova

Ever since last week, during that night at the clubhouse, Wolfe has been even more on edge. The intensity practically rolls off his back whenever I do see him. He’s usually on the road, trying to find out what’s happening or talking to the brothers in the clubhouse.

It’s long days and nights trying to find out when and where this big attack will be happening. Their main warehouse hasn’t been touched, but small robberies and break-ins have been picking back up again.

Outside of that, there’s been no chatter about what’s going on.

I don’t want to add more stress on him, but I called my apartment complex earlier in the week and canceled the rest of my lease.

I have to be out of there by this weekend.

I called a company to come in and clear it out after I have a chance to go through it all, but that leaves me only the next few days to get it done.

Since I’ve been here, we really haven’t talked about me needing my own car. My car is back at my apartment complex too.

I haven’t needed it since I’ve used Caleb’s truck or been with Wolfe on his bike. This is the first instance where I realize it would be helpful for us to do some long-term planning.

I slouch on the sofa as I stare out at the rainy day.

It’s peaceful and calming, if only I didn’t have my own personal rain cloud storming overhead.

If I tell Wolfe about my apartment and car, it’ll be another item on his list that he’ll take on instead of asking someone else to help me with it. I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on him.

I can’t put that kind of pressure on him.

As the rain falls, I watch the Montana sky turn darker. A storm must be rolling in, and Wolfe is out there somewhere.

I’ve learned that in some scenarios, Wolfe can’t reach out to me or has bad cell service. It’s frustrating, but I have to trust that he’ll come back to me in one piece.

Getting off the sofa, I head into the kitchen to make a cup of hot tea.

I stop abruptly.

I know someone who has a car—Daisy.

Taking my cell phone out of my pocket, I decide to text Daisy and see if she’d be willing to help.

Hey! It’s Nova. How are you?

Hey girl! Great, what’s up?

Thanks for answering so soon. I hate to ask this but long story. Any chance you’re up for a road trip?

Hell yeah. What’s going on though?

I’ll definitely share more in the car. But my moving here was kind of a last-minute decision. I have to go to my old apartment and pick up my clothes and a few things before the movers get there on Saturday.

I’m free today. Want to go now?

I wasn’t expecting her to be so okay with this plan.

As I chew on the inside of my cheek, I debate calling Wolfe to let him know.

I don’t want him to think I just left, but he’s out until who knows when.

I can do this with Daisy and get back later tonight.

Then this will be taken care of, and I’ll have some of my own stuff here.

That’d be great! Thank you! You’re a lifesaver.

Girl, no prob! Text me the address. I’ll be there soon.

I send Daisy the address and head back into my bedroom instead of making that tea. I’ll get a coffee on the road.

Back in the room, I quickly put together my purse. I decide to leave Wolfe a note, and then I’ll text him too.

Hi Hunny!

Didn’t want to worry you. Be back tonight!

Love,

Nova

I place it on top of his nightstand. As I look around the room, I spot a box of trash bags on some shelving that Wolfe doesn’t use. Picking that up, I put the box under one of my arms and head out front to wait for Daisy.

Waiting under cover as it rains, knowing that I’m taking another step toward my forever, does feel calming. It’s been tense, so it’s nice to know I’m handling some aspect of my life.

A few minutes later, Daisy pulls up in her luxury SUV and waves me over. I can’t help but laugh. This girl is shaping up to be something else.

As I hop into the SUV, Daisy lowers the volume of a song that’s blasting.

“Thanks for doing this with me!” I shout, right as the music is completely turned off.

Daisy giggles as she shrugs.

“Whoops! Sorry about that. What did you say?” Daisy asks as she pulls out of the driveway.

“Thanks for doing this for me.”

“No problem. I was bored to tears.”

“Not at the store today?”

“No, I have an assistant there.”

She gets to the end of the driveway and stops fully.

“Where to?”

“Oh, right. Turn left and get onto the highway. I can plug the address into your GPS if that’s okay.”

“That’d be great. Here’s my cell phone,” she says while handing it over.

I start to plug the address in as she pulls onto the road. I place my purse and the box of trash bags on the floor.

“So what’s the scoop, lady? Looks like we have a little bit of a drive.”

“Well, you promise you won’t judge?”

Daisy scoffs and waves one of her hands nonchalantly.

“Alright, well. I was Wolfe’s psychiatrist. In prison.”

“What?” Daisy shrieks with delight.

She hits the steering wheel a few times as she laughs.

“Girl, he is hot. I get it. I didn’t even realize who he was until the other night when my brother said something after I said hi.”

“Yeah.” I pause. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“No, I’m here, right? Anyway, it’s a small town. People getting up to no good or not. I mind my own business.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief.

“How much stuff are we getting? I can fit a bunch.”

“Just my clothes, shoes, that type of stuff. I don’t really need any of the furniture or décor now.” I pause again. “Can I be honest with you?”

“Of course. I have a feeling we’re going to become best friends after this.”

I laugh as I run a hand through my hair.

“My apartment is going to be pretty bare. I didn’t have much of a life before I met Wolfe.”

Daisy looks over at me and smiles.

“Don’t worry, girly, you’ve got one now.”

“I do.” I smile. It’s true. I’m building a life that I want. Once all this mess is over with, I’ll finally be able to figure out what I want to really do here.

A few minutes pass, and we’re driving in comfortable silence.

“How old are you?” I ask.

“Twenty-one.”

“Wow. That’s young. Good for you opening a boutique.”

“You’re telling me. Now tell that to my brother.”

“He has a problem with it?”

“He’s just a grumpy bastard. That’s what you get when you piss the love of your life off, and she finally leaves.”

“Yikes.”

“Yeah. Anyway, want to listen to some music?”

“Sure, I’m good with whatever.”

“How do you feel about Wagon Chain?”

“Never heard of them.”

“Wow, well, let’s take a listen.”

Daisy turns on the music again, and it’s the same band as when I hopped in the car earlier.

“They’re really good.”

“That’s my other brother.”

“Who is?”

“The singer.”

“Wow, you and your family have some secrets up your sleeves, don’t you?” I tease.

She laughs and shakes her head.

“You just never know what we’ll be up to.”

We both settle into our seats and listen to the music blaring as we head back to my old life.

“I’m just going to try to text Wolfe that I’m out. I haven’t wanted to worry him.”

“You didn’t tell him?”

“I left a note. He’s been so busy lately, since being back.” I try not to share any details with Daisy.

“Totally makes sense.”

I pull out my phone and text Wolfe that I’ll be back tonight.

“It’s not going through.”

“Yeah, service isn’t great with the rain. I’m sure it’ll go through eventually. Just try again later.”

“You’re right.”

“Of course I am,” she teases.

“Now to figure out what to do about my car.”

“Girl, send someone to pick it up. You can’t have me drive back alone,” Daisy says with a laugh.

“That’s a good idea.”

I get to work trying to find a service to pick up my car and drive it out to Wolfe’s. Truthfully, I know I probably should be the one just driving it back, but Daisy is being so nice helping me with everything.

If anything, Wolfe can help me with that down the road. I’ll just tell my apartment complex something if I can’t find a service to get it.

“Moving sucks,” I say, trying to get service on my phone.

“That’s what friends are for.”

Friends.

I like the sound of that.

“Don’t forget. It’s going to be super depressing in here,” I say as I try to unlock the door.

“Stop worrying about it.”

When I open the front door to my old home, the memories come flooding back to me. Not the memories of this place but of my old life. It’s simple and bare, nothing like who I am these days.

Stepping into the living room, I see a few pictures I’ll want to gather in a bag to bring and nothing else. No décor that I can’t live without, no furniture that isn’t bland and boring; it’s just so empty.

Like how I used to be.

“Girl, I love that we’re becoming friends. But this? This place is sad.”

“It is sad. I was sad.”

Daisy puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

“Let’s gather your stuff up and get home. Maybe we can head to The Lodge or somewhere for a drink after.”

I set the box of trash bags and my purse on the counter. Daisy sets her purse down next to mine.

“So you have packers, movers, cleaners, the whole crew coming to take care of this?”

“Yeah, I knew that it wouldn’t be much. I’d rather get my stuff and leave.”

“Makes sense.”

Daisy looks around the place.

“Alright, tell me what you want,” Daisy says.

She shakes open a garbage bag, then comes over and stands next to me.

I laugh at her participation.

“Thank you.”

Glancing back over to the picture frames, I point to them.

“Let’s start with these.”

We get the frames, tossing them into the bag with ease. Room by room, Daisy and I collect everything I want. After a full bag, I finally get to work packing up my clothes and shoes while she takes control of my bathroom.

Row by row, I take out the clothes hanging in my closet and put a new trash bag over them to try to protect them.

Moving methodically, I keep a steady pace for the next hour.

Finally feeling accomplished and done, we both take a quick look around the apartment.

“Wow. Only an hour. I’m impressed with us,” Daisy says.

“Me too. Seriously. Even with so few things, it just takes so much time.”

“Want to get out of here?”

“Yeah, let me shut off the lights and all that.”

“Sounds good. I’ll bring this last bag downstairs. I’ll be right back then.”

“Thank you. Seriously. For everything.”

Daisy leaves, and I shut off the living room light and take one last look around, making sure everything is off and secure.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Finally! I finally have service.

I take it out, hoping it’s Wolfe. As I walk back into my living room, I look at the caller ID and see it’s Ryan.

I hit deny and pocket it.

My phone vibrates again.

Pulling it back out, I see it’s Ryan again.

I pocket it once more and head out my front door. As I’m locking it back up, a small vibration comes through.

I lock the door and then pull my phone back out. Ryan has texted me.

Nova. It’s an emergency. PLEASE CALL ME OR TURN ON THE NEWS.

“What in the world,” I mutter.

I haven’t given much thought to all the happenings at Roper State since I left. I sent my resignation email, and that was that.

I figured one day I would get a call from someone if an investigation was started by Crawley or someone else, but nothing has come through.

I’ve been trying to focus on my future instead of worrying about my past.

I call Ryan back.

“Nova,” he says, sounding relieved.

“Ryan. What’s going on?” I ask, confused.

“There’s been a prison break. Are you in Rosetown?”

“Umm…” Well, fuck. Yes, I am. “Yeah, I actually just came back.”

“Leave. Immediately. Sam Snow is one of the prisoners who got out.”

I take the stairs down to the main floor quickly as I process everything. Daisy is walking toward me and sees that I’m panicked.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“We have to go. Now.”

“Okay!”

She walks alongside me quickly. Ryan has been saying things in my ear, but I’ve been in a daze.

“Nova!”

“Sorry! Wait. How did they get out?”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I don’t know, but it’s been pretty evident to everyone that Sam hates Wolfe. I don’t think anyone else has made the connection to you yet.”

Wolfe and I being together. Sam being the one who murdered my parents.

“Crawley hated that Wolfe got out clean as a whistle. I think he’s behind Sam escaping.”

“Sam and who else?” I ask as I hop in the SUV and lock the door. Daisy revs the engine and flees the parking lot, heading back home.

She looks over at me, panicked.

“It doesn’t matter who else. They’ll be helping Sam. You know these people in here are dangerous, Nova. Get somewhere safe.”

“I… I…”

“Somewhere safe, Nova.”

“I will.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For everything. I’m sorry for trying to get you to date me. For my part with Wolfe. For playing along. My part in it all.”

“Now isn’t the time, Ryan.”

“It is. I doubt I’ll talk to you again.”

I hear shouting in the background as Ryan disconnects.

“What’s going on?” Daisy asks.

“I have to get back to Wolfe. There’s been a prisoner escape from where I worked. A prisoner who hates us. I have to get back.”

“I’ll go as fast as I can.”