Page 21

Kenna

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River closed the dishwasher. Kenna threw the dishcloth into the sink. Each day that passed without a phone call from the prison approving their visit with her dad made her think they were waiting for nothing.

"I'm just saying, if we go and talk to the person who handles the forms, maybe we can find out when the papers will get put in front of the judge." She planted her hands on her hips. "I'll drive."

"No." River walked out of the kitchen.

Frustrated, she followed her sister. "Why not?"

"Because, we have to wait until we hear from the prison."

"Have you Googled to find out how they treat prisoners on death row?" She stopped at the base of the stairs as her sister walked up the steps. "He gets twenty minutes outside in a pen, no bigger than a dog kennel, three times a week. Most dogs are treated better than him."

River whirled around at the top of the stairs. "He killed people, Kenna. When are you going to get that through your head? He's not on vacation. They're going to kill him for what he's done."

Her heart pounded in her chest. "Don't—"

"They will, and there's nothing we can do to stop them." River raised her arms. "I don't even think we should try to see him."

Staring at her sister as if she'd turned into someone else she no longer knew, she went to the front door and stormed out of the house. Every day she waited for a phone call or a letter or some message from the prison, and nothing ever came.

She jogged away from the house, going toward the woods. The bar had customers. The clubhouse had bikers. The campground had campers. All she wanted to do was get away from everyone—people living their lives as if nothing was wrong.

"Kenna," yelled River.

She refused to turn around and kept going. Dodging behind a tree, she found a path that led her deeper into the woods.

The pine trees blocked her every turn. She slowed her pace. No amount of running would let her escape the harsh realities of her life.

She stumbled into a small clearing, bathed in the soft light of the evening sun. Her stomach churned in a tangled mess of anger, sadness, and frustration. As the oldest daughter, she was supposed to watch over River. She was supposed to keep the family together.

She'd failed at doing her job.

Sinking to the ground, she bowed her head and closed her eyes. The ache in her chest was a constant reminder of her dad's fate. She couldn't accept what the future held for her dad. He might've taken the lives of others, but he'd given her life. He'd loved her.

"Kenna?" River breathed heavily. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head. There was no use talking about their situation. River had always adapted better than her and never questioned what she was told.

"I know you're upset, but—"

"I can't lose him, River." She raised her gaze. "He's the last link we have to a real family. It doesn't matter if he's a bad person. At one time, he was the best dad."

Her sister dropped to her knees beside her. "I know," she whispered. "We'll figure it out together."

"Will you go to the prison with me?"

River nodded. "I'm just afraid. You have your hopes up, and the situation is hopeless."

"I'm not delusional." She grabbed River's hand. "I would take one visit with him over never seeing him again. Wouldn't you?"

River sighed. "Yeah."

After several minutes, she allowed River to pull her to her feet. In the quiet of the forest, she walked side by side with her sister, united in their grief. A grief that she'd lived with for half her life.

As they approached the edge of the forest, River stopped her. "You know I'm going to have to tell Zane we're going to the prison, right?"

Kenna's heart sank at the thought. As much as she would like to sneak away and not inform Kingsley, she knew it was impossible. He'd never allow her to leave.

"I know." She swallowed hard. "Kingsley would kill me if I snuck away. We'll have to convince them to let us travel to the prison. Do whatever you need to make Zane let you go, okay?"

"Okay." River stepped out of the trees and stopped. "Shit."

"What?"

"Look." River turned to her. "At the front of the house."

She squinted and groaned under her breath. Kingsley and Zane were waiting for them. She could tell by his body language that she'd upset him by running away from the house.

She sighed. "Come on, let's go tell them that nothing is wrong."

"Zane will never believe me," muttered River.

"Neither will Kingsley, but I've got to try." She strode forward, determination making her stronger than she was feeling.