Now I just prayed the owner of the car wouldn’t find me and expose me. I was completely at his mercy. He was my only way out of this horror. I would do my best so he wouldn’t see me. Once we were off the property and in the city, I would wait for him to stop at a traffic light, throw myself out of the car, run for my life.
As I waited to be either rescued or to be caught, my mind drifted back to the news I saw earlier. My heart cracked and shattered as I thought of Diana. Though she had been manipulated by Jude, she hadn’t been a bad person. And for a short time, she had made me feel liked. Because of me, she was dead.
Curling myself into a tight ball with my arms around my knees, I cried silently as not to be heard in case someone walked by.
I had no idea how long I’d been waiting in the car, but finally the crying subsided and all I felt was empty. Empty, lost and terrified. If my plan didn’t work out, if I wasn’t driven out of these gates, today could end up being my last day on Earth. There was no way Jude would let me live after this.
I had just started to wonder how much longer I would have to wait, when I heard pounding footsteps outside, getting nearer to the car and then stop. I held my breath and closed my eyes. What if the person was looking in through the window?
I heard the sound again, the footsteps moving away from the car until they faded into the distance.
Had Jude noticed that I was not inside the house and asked the guard to sweep the grounds? Or was he too engrossed in his important meeting that he decided to serve his own tea and deal with me later? I could only hope for the best. By the time his rage exploded, I would hopefully be on the run. Obvious obstacles loomed ahead, and they made my skin prickle. There was still a chance the business partner would discover me before I escaped and return me to Jude. After all, Jude did say he owned this town. But my desire to escape trumped any fears I had. The thought of staying with him, sleeping next to him, having him touch me, made my skin crawl. If I managed to escape, I’d have to move to some crowded town and change my name. Haley Macknight would have to die in order for me to survive.
Voices filtered through the window this time. I balled myself up even tighter. They were coming. Since I was trembling so hard, if someone decided to take a peek through the window, it would be easy to spot me. I forced my body to be still, to save itself, but my movements were involuntary.
Please God, save me from him.
The driver’s door opened and I swallowed the rock inside my throat. I heard a movement inside the car and the door slammed shut again. Jude’s guest was inside. I could feel him, smell him. I held my breath and prayed for him to drive. I prayed that Jude wouldn’t accompany him for some reason.
He gunned the engine.
“Wait,” Jude called and the engine was killed again.
I almost passed out with fear.
“You forgot this.” Jude’s voice was close to the car, too close.
Through the ringing in my ears, I listened to a window slide open, the ruffle of papers, and a mumbled thanks.
“Come and have dinner tomorrow with me and my wife. I’m sorry you couldn’t meet her today. She hasn’t been feeling well.”
The other man didn’t answer. Maybe he responded with a nod. A man of few words.
For his sake, I hoped their plans failed. I wouldn’t want anyone entering into any partnership with Jude.
The window slid shut and the engine roared back to life.
I released a silent breath as I heard the crunch of gravel under the wheels. The car was moving, taking me to safety.
Jude was probably back in the house slamming doors and calling for me. Would he suspect I had left with his partner? Probably not. He’d assume I was hiding somewhere in the huge house. He’d search forever. I felt sorry for the guard, who I suspected would get the heat for not being attentive enough.
I heard the gates of Jude’s mansion yawn open and then shut. We were out.
For a while I didn’t hear anything more apart from the sounds of cars outside. I remained still. I’d drive with him as far as possible before slipping out. I had to be sure I was a safe distance away from Jude.
“Call Jason,” the man said, and then I heard a click and the sound of a number being dialed.
A very deep male voice filled the car. Jason I assumed.
“Is it done?” Jason asked. “Are you in business with the bull dog?”
“I don’t do business with people like him. It’s not my style to walk over people to make money. He’s a pompous ass.” He sighed. “No, I wanted to meet him for other reasons.”
Air rushed out of my lungs, and I found it hard to replace it.
“I see. So, were you successful?” Jason said.