Page 41 of Until the End (The Lost Letters #3)
Ginny
“ A re you sure it’s safe to go?” I ask Daren.
“Yes, I’m sure. The three of us will be in the SUV while Reggie drives the moving truck. Between your family helping to sort through your things and our security team, we’ve got you covered.”
I set my coffee cup on the kitchen counter with a clink. “I just worry we’re doing this for no reason.”
Carson runs his hand down my spine. “We have to live our lives, Goose. We can’t let this bastard force us into a hidey-hole. We’ve taken every precaution we can, and besides, we don’t have much of a choice. The lease on the storage unit ends in a few days.”
Unfortunately, he’s right. After my house in LA sold, Chelsea handled getting everything boxed up and shipped out here.
We were still in LA then, so Carson and I rented a storage unit here in Sonoma to hold everything until we could go through it.
Now, our lease is up on the unit, and we have to get the stuff out of there.
The owner would’ve let us extend the lease if he’d had an extra unit, but they were all rented, including ours.
He felt really bad about not being able to help us.
I have no idea what Chelsea kept and what she didn’t, so I want to sort through everything to ensure I don’t keep anything of Weasel’s.
I refuse to have any of his stuff in my house in Sonoma.
“Okay, we better get going, then.” I grab my cup from the counter and put it in the dishwasher.
Carson fills two to-go cups with coffee and hands the decaf one to me.
I stand on my toes to give him a quick kiss in thanks.
Daren and Reggie are waiting in the SUV. The rest of the security guys are at the storage facility, preparing the area for our arrival. This all feels like overkill, but Daren isn’t taking any chances today.
Ten minutes later, we’re pulling up to the storage unit, where the moving truck is parked.
My parents and Gia are standing outside, talking with each other.
I’m grateful they offered to help sort through my stuff with us.
It’s not too much, but it still would’ve taken us ages to get through it all on our own.
Carson and I get out of the SUV to stand with my parents while Daren gets the unit unlocked.
“Good morning, sweetheart.” Mom’s soft voice is one of those sounds that instantly brings me comfort.
She has her blonde hair tied up in a bun with a patterned scarf wrapped around her head.
It’s very Rosie the Riveter, and I couldn’t love it more.
Dad’s salt-and-pepper hair has been styled back off his forehead, and he’s got his arm around Mom’s shoulders.
Since before I can remember, Dad’s always been touchy-feely with Mom.
If they’re standing next to each other, he has some part of himself touching her.
I asked her once if it bothered her, and she said it was one of her favorite ways to stay connected to him.
Given how difficult it is for Dad to communicate his emotions, I can understand how this is their way of talking without having to say anything.
It reminds me how important communication is between two partners.
Carson is great at communicating with me and has recently gotten very good at knowing when I have something I want to talk about.
It’s been a slow process for me to become comfortable with bringing up harder topics.
I still worry I’m being too needy or emotional, but each time, it’s been easier than the last.
“Thank you for helping us sort through my stuff. I’m honestly not sure how much the moving company packed for me. Chelsea oversaw everything.”
“We’re happy to be here.”
“I’d prefer to still be in bed at nine on a Saturday morning, but sure, happy to help,” Gia quips with a wink.
The rolling door clatters open, and we all stare at the towers of boxes stacked inside.
“Well, this is going to take a lot longer than I thought,” Carson says.
“Should we just get it all on the truck and take it back to the house instead of trying to sort through it here?” I ask. It’s not what I wanted to do, but we’ll end up being outside all day if we try to work through every box.
“It would be more comfortable,” Gia says.
Mom shrugs. “I don’t care either way.”
“It would probably be the safest option,” Daren adds.
“Then let’s get these boxes onto the truck and head back to our house.
” I move toward the first stack, my family following behind me.
It takes us about an hour to get everything loaded.
Most of the boxes were labeled, so getting them sorted at the house will be easier than I expected.
I had no idea Chelsea kept so much of my stuff.
I’d told her the only things I truly cared about were my photo albums and a couple of boxes filled with mementos that were in my closet.
After that, I left it up to her discretion.
I have a feeling I had way more personal items than I originally thought.
The truck’s rolling door clatters closed once everything is loaded into the back, and I turn to Carson. “Should we pick up some food for lunch?”
“Definitely. There’s not much in the fridge right now.”
“Okay, I’ll let Mom and Dad know if you’ll talk to Daren.”
He nods and walks over to where Reggie and Daren are talking while I update my parents.
Once the plan is shared with the team, we head in separate directions.
Carson, Daren, and I drive to the Mango Mart.
It’s busy, of course, so Daren comes in with us.
It cracks me up watching Daren try to be friendly with everyone who says hello.
He’s become a well-known face around town.
The gossip hens have done everything possible to pry his story out of him, but he’s yet to give in.
I’m pretty sure he’s only holding out because he enjoys their attempts to get him talking.
With our grocery bags in hand, we walk back to the car. A buzz from my phone has me checking the screen. A snort comes out when I read Gia’s text.
Gia
You asshole. Do you know how many favors you’re going to owe me for doing your dirty work? I can’t believe you’re getting to skip out on moving your own fucking boxes.
Me
Big baby. You’ll be fine.
I expect to be fully compensated.
With what?
Whatever I want. Beer for a start. If you don’t bring back alcohol, we’re going to riot.
Better get your gear on, then.
You wouldn’t!
Nah. We got some seltzers and beer.
I knew I loved you for a reason.
Oh, not because I’m your twin?
That one’s a given. kiss emoji
“Is Gia giving you shit?”
I show the text thread to Carson, and he cracks up. “Just don’t tell her we almost forgot it.”
“Never. I’m not about to get on her bad side.”
The SUV clunks a couple of times, and Carson and I look up at Daren. Leaning forward, I try to listen for it again. “What was that?”
The car jolts, making Daren slow down and pull over. “I’ll call Reggie to come get us. Something’s not right.” He scans the area, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
We’re only five minutes from my house, which means we’re surrounded by fields. Before Daren has a chance to pull his phone out, a car comes over the hill behind us. My first thought is that they’ll be helpful, but then Daren’s warning rings in my head.
“Daren…”
“I see them.”
“What do we do?”
He pulls a gun from his holster and turns his head to watch out the window. He doesn’t respond to my question, just waits to see what the car will do .
A man gets out of the car, his shaggy brown hair hanging over his eyes. When he pushes it off his face, I relax into my seat.
It’s not Wesley. Thank god.
Daren gets out of the SUV, keeping his gun held behind his back. Apparently, he’s still weary.
“You guys having car trouble?” the man asks.
“Yeah, it just sort of died on us,” Daren responds.
“I’m a mechanic. I could take a look for you.”
“We’ve got a guy coming to pick us up, but if you want to check it out, go ahead.” Daren pops the hood of the SUV, and in the half a second Daren has his back turned, the man pulls a gun from his waistband and has it pressed to Daren’s temple.
“Don’t move. I don’t want to hurt you,” the guy warns. “Give me the gun.”
Daren hesitates.
“Now.”
Slowly, Daren hands his weapon to the man, his shoulders slumping.
The stranger looks at the back window, despite it being too tinted for him to see us. “Virginia, I need you to come with me.”
I whip my head to look at Carson as he says, “Don’t do it, Goose.”
“Get out of the car, Virginia, or I will shoot him.”
“Carson…” I can’t let him hurt Daren. It would destroy me if I let that happen.
“Let me go first.” Carson steps over me to open the back door. He gets out with his hands in the air. “You don’t want to do this, man.”
“You don’t know anything about me!” he screams. “Virginia! If you’re not out here in three seconds, I will shoot.”
When he starts to count down, I bolt out of the car. “Okay, okay. I’m here. Please don’t hurt him. ”
He keeps the gun on Daren as he eyes me. I still have no idea who he is or what he wants from me.
“Move away from the car.”
A pained look crosses Carson’s face. “Goose…”
“I know.” With slow steps, I follow the guy’s demand. I’m almost in the road now and don’t want to go any further.
Without warning, the guy rears back and pistol-whips Daren in the side of the head. Daren slumps to the ground, his body limp and his head bleeding. I slap my hands over my mouth to keep from screaming. What the hell are we going to do?
Carson’s hand on my arm pulls me out of my panic. I don’t know when he moved closer to me, but I’m glad he’s here. His eyes reflect the terror in mine.
The guy swings the gun around to point it at us. “If you have a phone in your pocket, throw it on the ground.” Carson and I prove that neither of us has our phones before he nods toward his parked car. “Now, you two are coming with me.”
Carson’s grip on my arm eases a bit at that news. He’s not going to force us to separate. Selfishly, I’m glad I won’t be alone, but I’m terrified Carson is going to get hurt now because he’ll try to save me.
“Let’s go!” the man screams. We slowly turn around and walk to the guy’s beat-up car.
It takes both an eternity and the blink of an eye to reach the passenger door.
The guy points his gun at Carson. “You’re going to drive.
” He turns to me. “And I swear to god, if you make any trouble, he will die. I don’t even care if he’s driving. ”
I nod several times in a row, too scared to make a noise.
Carson and I move to our respective spots, our eyes connecting over the car door. We’re in this together, until the end.