Redemption: AmBw Romantic Suspense

Another vehicle rapidly approached.

Again, my head and body shifted into terror as I wondered if it was Wyatt. Seconds later, the other car’s high beams practically blinded me, but then the person rushed by.

Come on. Calm down.

Besides a few cars, we were pretty much the only morons on the road. This wasn’t safe. I should’ve pull over, but I had to get away. We had to get away. As far as possible.

I glanced behind me.

The kids sat in their seats. No one had fallen asleep, although I’d told them several times to get rest. Headphones plugged Kia’s and Poppy’s ears as they watched shows on their phones. Meanwhile, Jalen had his phone off and monitored me the whole time, never moving his gaze away.

He’s on edge as much as me. Damn it. Why did Wyatt have to come tonight?

I caught the tears before they ran down my face. The last thing Jalen needed to see was more hysteria. I had to keep a strong front.

Still, my head ached. And a weariness came over me.

We have to find somewhere to rest.

I had no idea where we were going.

It seemed like Wyatt would be able to find me with no trouble.

How the hell did he find us this time?

I thought back to what Wyatt had said.

“We don’t know anyone here.”

He’d slipped the gun down my forehead and traced the curve of my nose. “I know. I’ve been watching you for a few days. You keep to yourself. You better.”

“How long have you been watching?”

“Two days.”

I hadn’t used my credit cards in years. Last week, I found the rental place on Craigslist, and used a fake name since they didn’t require a lease or identification. All they wanted was cash. There shouldn’t have been a problem. I didn’t even call my friends, sure that one of them was telling Wyatt where we were going.

Thank God I made my money from books under a secret pen name. The money went to an online money exchange system. I could do withdrawals and deposits from anywhere.

Wyatt had no idea about my writing. No one did. The last year we were together, I’d kept it a secret, knowing he would make me stop. Under the anonymity, I was free to write anything I wanted. Therefore, I kept it from my family and friends. Only the kids knew, although they had no idea what my pen name was and couldn’t name a title.

But they knew those small royalty checks kept us clothed, sheltered, and fed.

How the hell did he find us? I didn’t call Charlene or Wendi this time. The only time I picked up my phone was to. . .

My body went still.

Three days ago, I called Mom. Damn it. That can’t be the one.

Mom had asked for the address to send presents.

No.

It couldn’t have been my mother who told him where I was. She knew about the abuse. She’d dealt with it herself from my father. Surely, she wouldn’t have been the one to give him the information.

Fuck. Was it Mom? All this time? She’s the only one who’s known every address, every location.

Sadness took me over.

Not Mom.

If she was the one that had been helping him the whole time, then I would have to cut off all communication with her. It hurt me to even think about it, but the more I considered it, the more I knew.

“Ebony, you two just need counseling,” Mom had urged. “All this running isn’t healthy for the kids.”

“All the abuse isn’t healthy either.”

“I’m sure he’s not hitting you all the time. There has to be moments, when things are—”

“Mom, it doesn’t matter how many times he’s hitting me—”

“Ebony, listen to me. I’ve been on this Earth longer than you. The kids need their father, and this world is cold and lonely as a single mother. You need your husband.”

“Mom—”

“You both should go back to church. If you just—”

“Mom, I have to go.”

“Okay, baby. Just let me know where you are, when you get there. I worry so much.”

“I will, Mom.”

“Send me the address. I love you, Ebony.”

“I love you too.”

The next day, I’d texted her our new address.

She did it. Who else could it have been?

I felt more alone, then I’d ever experienced in my life. The truth had been right there in my face—in all those phone conversations. While I knew she didn’t agree with us running around, never did I think my own mother would help Wyatt find me.

I tried to ease the pain with logical thoughts.

Mom never saw him hit me. She always thought I was over exaggerating. She never knew. . .how much. . .never mind. It doesn’t matter. She shouldn’t have helped him. She should’ve trusted me.

Still, it was hard to forgive her.

I checked the rear view mirror.

Kia had looked up from her phone and was now watching me with Jalen.