Faith smiles. "Well, that afternoon nap was heavenly. I haven't slept that good in… I don't know how long."
I chuckle. "Same," I say kissing her forehead as my phone buzzes on the bedside table.
"I'm going to check that. Are you okay?"
"Of course," she says.
I pick up my phone and I read the text. "It's my mom," I tell Faith.
"What does she want?"
"She's wondering if we're coming back for dinner. She's still texting," I tell Faith. “She says it's fine if not, because Sally asked her to a ladies’ night trivia at the bar and grill. She mentioned that yesterday," I say.
I text her back: Sounds fun. Be safe. Call if you need a DD.
Mom thumbs up the message before asking how Faith is.
"I'm just going to give her a call," I tell Faith as I pull on my jeans and walk into the living room. The reception's pretty poor though and so I step outside the front door. I call her. "Mom," I say. "The thing is I'm falling in love with her."
Mom sighs. "Oh Jake, it's so soon."
"No," I cut her off. "It's like it’s meant to be. It's destiny."
"I didn't realize you were so sentimental," Mom says.
"I wasn't planning on it, but this is different than past relationships. She's different. I love her."
Just then, I see a car pulling up to the cabin. "Hey Mom, I got to go. Someone's here."
"Okay. Just let me know if you need anything."
"Will do," I shove the phone in my pocket as I watch the old beater car come to a sharp stop.
Two men jump out. They look rough around the edges. One of them has an unbuttoned flannel shirt. The other one is in a white tank top.
One of them is carrying a gun.
Fuck.
14
FAITH
The car pulling up to the house startles me. I jump out of bed and look through the window. Oh shit. Reaching for my panties, I pull them on and I grab Jake's T-shirt. Thankfully, it covers my ass.
I run to the kitchen. I'm scared. My dad and Jesse are out of the car. They are holding guns. And I know Jake's out there without any protection. If I go out now… I squeeze my eyes, focusing. I open them with a plan.
Looking around the cabin, I see the landline on the wall, and I reach for it, pressing three digits: 911. The operator picks up immediately. "Come quick," I say, "there's a man. Two men here with guns. They're holding him up. I'm scared."
The operator tells me they're dispatching officers immediately.
“I have to go make sure he's okay.”
"Maybe it's best to stay inside," the operator tells me, but I've already dropped the phone. I run outside shouting at my father. “Just take me, just take me,” I shout. "Dad, don't do this. Don't hurt Jake. He's a good man. He's the best man. You can't touch him."
“Don’t, Faith,” Jake cries to me. “Go inside. I can’t lose you.”
My dad cackles. "How about I hurt you both? Jesse was really fucking pissed when he found out that the girl I gave him was a runner, a virgin runner."
"Well, that's not my problem," I say. "You’re a monster," I say, "you are not a father. You tricked me into getting into Jesse's car in the first place. And you knew what he was going to do with me. He was going to take me away forever. And who knows what he was planning on doing? Just put the gun down. Dad, please."
Jesse snarls. "You're a little tramp, aren't you? A little slut, half-dressed, probably fucking this man in the woods. Like the little whore you are. But you’re coming with me. You understand? You're my property. You're paying off your father's debt."
"How did you find me?" I shout.
“You think I wouldn’t put location tracking on your phone? How stupid do you think I am?” Jesse asks me with a snort.
Dad pulls back, looking me straight in the eye. "I think the problem I always had with you, Faith, was you thought you could do whatever the fuck you wanted, but it's time you were put in your place."
He nods at Jesse, who points the gun, but it's not at me. It's at Jake.
“Stop!” Jake shouts. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”
But Dad doesn’t listen. He pulls the trigger and he shoots.
I scream, scared. I run to Jake. The bullet has hit his shoulder and he falls to the ground.
“It’s okay,” he grits his teeth. “Don’t… Don't fight him. I don't want you to get hurt. No one else needs to get shot."
"I'm going to fucking kill you," I scream at my dad, lunging for them both.
Before I can reach my father, Jesse shoves me to the ground. “Stay put!”
But Jake stands, rushing toward Jesse, tackling him to the ground. And I know it's got to be painful considering he just got shot. Jesse loses the gun as Jake pins him, and I use my foot to slide the gun to Jake.