Page 165 of Stay With Me

Magnolia pulls up the contact and rattles it off.

“That’s a Florida area code,” Sheriff Wagner tells us.

“He’s probably using a burner phone,” I say.

“Most definitely, but it gives me a location to start with to send out his wanted profile. If he’s hiding and has limited funds, he’s probably stayin’ with someone or at the very least, somewhere cheap. Someone might recognize him down there. I can also cross-reference similar crimes from that area when I speak to their department. I’d be surprised if he’s still around here with everyone lookin’ for him.”

“That’s somewhat of a relief to think he’s not even in the state,” Magnolia says and adds, “How do I get a restraining order against him so if he comes near me, I can get him arrested for that, too?”

“You’ll have to come in and fill out some paperwork for a temp order, but it shouldn’t be difficult to get it filed,” he explains. “But if he’s found, he’ll get arrested either way, sweetheart.”

“I know. I just want some legal order of protection if he thinks I’m gonna help him or that he’ll be safe comin’ to me.”

“We’ll stop in first thing tomorrow,” I tell him.

No way I’m letting Magnolia out of my sight now.

“I’d still be on alert in case he does come around here or if this Emilio guy resurfaces. Don’t let your guards down,” he says.

“Don’t worry, I’m keepin’ an eye on her.”

“Alright, kids. See ya in the mornin’.”

We say goodbye, and then I wrap her in my arms because she’s visibly shaking.

“Sunny, it’s gonna be okay. You know I won’t let that fucker put a finger on you.”

“And what ’bout you? They could come after your family, too.”

He chokes out a laugh. “I’d like to see ‘em try.”

“I’m so pissed I bought his bullshit so easily. What the fuck is wrong with me? After all these years, I should know he’s a goddamn liar.”

“You couldn’t have known with how he made it seem real.” I soothe a hand down her back as she angry cries.

“How am I gonna work without constantly lookin’ over my shoulder? I can’tnotwork. My taser and pepper spray aren’t gonna be much help if the guy has a gun.”

“I’m gonna come with you every day.”

She pulls back, wiping her cheeks. “How’re you gonna do that when you have a job?”

“You only work till three, right? I’ll get Landen or Waylon to cover for me during the day, and then I’ll make sure you’re with someone at all times while I do cabin call and catch up in the evening. You can hang out with Landen or Noah.”

“You can’t stay with me at my trailer for seven hours and then go work for another however many. When will you sleep?”

“I work till nine or ten and then go to bed.”

Her head falls back on the couch with a groan. “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t made him think there was a chance of us gettin’ back together, I wouldn’t even be on Emilio’s radar.”

“That’s if Emilio is actually involved in this. Travis could be using him as an excuse to get money out of you or me.”

“I dunno…he creeped me out when he showed up. He said my name in a provocative way, and the whole encounter was very odd. I think Travis could be exaggerating about him going after you for the sake of scaring me into gettin’ him that money. But there’s just so much that doesn’t add up…” She rubs her temples. “For all we know, Emilio could be leadin’ this whole scam and forced Travis to tell me this story or throw me under the bus with him. Fuck, I dunno. There’s a million scenarios running through my brain, and I can’t keep up.”

I grab her chin and tilt it up until she meets my gaze. “Whatever the situation ends up being, if it comes down to it—protecting you and the baby or giving this guy fifty thousand—I’d pay up in a heartbeat.”

She pulls back abruptly. “You can’t. That’s way too much.”

“Not when it comes to your life, Sunny.”