She’d recalled reading that article in the paper about the woman who’d opened that restaurant in Lusty. Hell of a name for a town. So she’d convinced Deke that getting rid of Benny was what she wanted to do so they could party more, and she could give him all of her attention. Asshole never looked at her really, so he never saw the way just saying those words, just pretending, tore the very heart out of her.
Ginny hoped with all her heart that, someday, Benny would understand. She knew that even if that woman, Kelsey Madison, didn’t step in and take care of her boy, he would be safe.
She pushed away her own memories of growing up in foster care. The authorities were more careful these days, more rigorous in rooting out the pedophiles, giving more care to the children’s safety than they had when she’d been in the system.
Ginny inhaled deeply and looked toward Deke, who continued to snore in the bed next to her. She moved as carefully as possible, wincing when the chain of the handcuff that held her fast to the headboard clanged.
There, on the bedside table beside the two empty Jack bottles, lay the key to the cuffs. She had to pee so badly she decided to risk waking Deke by reaching beyond him.
Moving carefully, she inched her way up on the bed, pulling her legs closer to her chest, sidling until she could get her knees under her. Fire shot through her shoulder.
If I could only reach the key.
Deke had locked her up while he’d been so drunk he could barely see. She could only be grateful he’d left the key where she could see it. Reaching it would be another matter.
Kneeling on the bed, she stretched her entire body toward the nightstand, her arm extended, fingers stretched. One eye fearfully watched Deke for any sign that he was awakening. It had been very late when he’d finally passed out, so he likely wouldn’t wake up for a couple of hours yet.
Best be careful. No sense tempting fate.
Ginny stretched for all she was worth and bit back the pain and frustration when she saw her reach was just inches short.
Damn it.
She edged her knee closer to the headboard and heard another soft clink of metal on metal.
Looking down, she recognized Deke’s belt, nearly off the head of the bed, between the mattress and the headboard, where he’d abandoned it after…
Ginny swallowed hard, the sight of the leather sending chills through her and curdling her stomach. It took everything in her to reach out, take hold of the thing, and bring it closer. Working quickly and one-handed, she folded the stiff leather in half. Grasping one end of the shortened accessory, she reached out, lifting it over Deke’s snoring head toward the nightstand. She knew one moment of a strong urge to use the thing on him, on his face, to see how he liked it. She tamped down that impulse because that action would surely get her killed.
Ginny was swept by the sudden and certain knowledge that she didn’t want to die. She wanted more than anything to get away from this bastard, find her son, and hold him close.
Stretching, the belt touched the table just beyond the key. Closing her eyes, gathering her strength and, praying, she pulled the belt toward herself quickly.
Thank God. The key hit the mattress, and Ginny set the belt down and picked up the key.
Working quietly, she unlocked the cuffs. Easing from the bed, she inhaled deeply as she gained her feet and blinked back tears. She hurt in so many places, but the deepest wound was one that had no bruise or abrasion. The deepest wound was in her heart.
My baby.
She used the facilities quickly, then ran the water just lightly enough to be able to wash her hands and face. She gave herself a quick look in the mirror, wincing at the sight of the bruise on the side of her face. She didn’t check the rest of her body. She didn’t want to see the welts. She could feel them. That was enough.
Leaving the tiny haven, she let her eyes roam the nondescript room. She had no luggage here. She hadn’t known Deke had planned to stop at a motel, or that instead of returning home to Waco, he’d decided to head to Abilene to visit a friend of his.
The words he’d said before getting completely drunk last night brought a chill to her now.
Moose is my best buddy, and he knows how to handle a woman. You’ll see.
Ginny didn’t know how far they’d driven after leaving Benny. She didn’t really know where she was. She did know she couldn’t stay another day with Deke. Benny was safe, so she could try and escape now.
She grabbed her clothes, dressed quickly. Next, she gathered her shoes and her purse and searched for Deke’s wallet. Finding it, she opened it and scanned the sparse contents. Helping herself to the fifty there, she tossed the wallet back down, then headed for the door. Easing it open, she slipped outside, pulling the door gently shut behind her.