Fractured Lies (MAC Security 1)

“I’ll go, I can get-” I stopped.

It occurred to me that I didn’t have anywhere to stay, I didn’t have family members that I could turn to. The only place I had was my apartment.

I’d have to find a motel, it would do for now. Hopefully Max wouldn’t find us and I was earning my own money now so I could actually afford it. With money came freedom, maybe that was why Max didn’t want me to work in the first place? He didn’t want me to rely on anyone but him, that way he had all the control. I hated when he told me that I wouldn’t have anything if it wasn’t for him.

“Kay?”

“Hmmm?”

“What were you about to say?”

“Oh, right.” I cleared my throat “I need to go back to my apartment and get some things.”

“What sort of things?” Ty asked as he pulled his jacket on, shoving his beanie hat on his head.

“Clothes, toiletries. Then I need to find a motel” I just needed to do a simple search to find out where the closet one was. I didn’t want to be too far away from the compound.

“Motel?” Ty moved back toward me.

“I can’t go back there” I said in a small voice.

He crouched down again, this time both hands came down on my knees.

“You’re not going back there sweetheart, you’re staying with me,” I opened my mouth to say something but he cut me off “No arguments”

I stared at him, shocked that he would open up his home to me. I didn’t want his pity, I didn’t want to feel like a burden to anyone.

I had lied to him. I’d lied to everyone.

I wanted to say all of this to him, but the look on his face told me that there was no point. Once Ty made up his mind there was no changing it, something that I’d learned quickly.

“I’ll go and get Eli, then go to the apartment and pack you some things.”

“You’re going on your own?” Ty stood up, his hands sliding from my knees. I stared at where his hands had been, missing the feel of them.

“I’ll get Luke and Kitty to meet me, Evan will be here in a minute” he tapped away on his phone.

“I need to call the preschool”

“Why?”

“To let Miss Cooper know that you’re picking Eli up.”

He handed me the office phone and stood in front of me.

“I’ll help you back onto the couch.”

“No, I want to stay sitting up.” I attempted to smile.

He smiled back, his eyes lighting up. “You’re much stronger than you give yourself credit for sweetheart. You gonna be okay here for a little while?” I nodded at him not being able to form a coherent thought. He’d never know how much those words meant to me.

“Okay, I’ll be back in a while, you need anything then you use the radio.” He picked up two radios and gave one to me.

“Ty?”

“Yeah?” he turned to face me in the doorway.

“Don’t let Eli in the apartment Ty…please,” his eyes flashed. “Take my keys,” I said, even though I had no idea where they were. He gave me a jerky nod and turned out the door.