Chapter 45

Forty-Five

"Remember, best behavior," I warn them.

Greg's eyebrow arches, and Melvin sighs at me since I've already repeated this a million times this morning. The truth is, we have no choice but to go into town. We need supplies for all the new members we've been taking in, and Melvin and Greg volunteered to go. I think Greg only did it for Melvin, since he's grown protective of the kid, and Melvin wants to help so desperately. He's still healing, but he's doing a lot better, and as he has healed, his personality has begun to shine. He, along with Greg, have been looking after the other kids, but it's clear he wants to do more. It's almost like he's worried that if he isn't useful enough, we'll leave him behind. We won't, we've told him that, but I know it's a hard instinct to lose.

Greg, he, and I drive into town. The guys are busy, and I know they won't be happy, but when Melvin approached me with the idea, worried about some of the kids' missing items, I couldn't say no. I don't see any harm in going to a shop in broad daylight. The town is small and quiet. They haven't seemed bothered by our arrival, and I know we are far away from the cops and Roger, but I'm not dumb. I keep my eyes peeled, and at the first sight of danger, we're out of here.

"We could have asked some of the hands," Greg reminds me as we climb from Diamond's car. He's right, we could have, but I guess Melvin isn't the only one feeling the need to prove themself useful.

"We're here now." I smile at him, wrapping my jacket tighter around me. As we step onto the sidewalk before the store, we automatically put Melvin between us, and we smile at each other when we realize what we did. Greg opens the door and holds it for us, and we duck inside as a tiny bell rings.

It's a small store, clearly family run, with bright white walls with posters and sales. There are only five aisles, but it's enough for what we need. A bored, young man is reading the paper behind the register at the back. He doesn't even look up as we enter, only shouts, "Hello."

It's perfect.

Grabbing a few baskets, I hand one to each of them. "Get everything we need, and we'll meet at the checkout. Don't worry about expense. Let's ensure they never want for anything."

I watch them hurry down different aisles, and I choose the hygiene section. There are a few young girls, so I make sure to fill the basket with anything we might need before dropping it at the register and grabbing another. I'd rather make fewer trips into town, especially right now, so it's important we stock up when we can.

"Do you have any more of this?" I hold up the bottle I need, and the bored kid blinks at me before glancing at it.

"Uh, in the back, I think. Let me check." He looks me over once more, his cheeks heating, before he ducks into the back of the shop. I browse the aisle, crouching to grab some pads from the bottom shelf, when the bell over the door rings. I spare it a look but don't see anyone, so I turn back to the pads and grab a bunch more of different sizes for the future. A shuffle of feet echoes in the aisle.

"Ember." My name is tight with worry and fear—Melvin.

I jerk my head up, frowning, before terror fills me and I freeze.

Standing at the end of the aisle is Melvin, the basket gone from his hand, his face pale, and there is a hand on his shoulder in a clear threat. It's the one person in this world I never wanted to see again—Roger, my husband.

He smiles at me. "Hello, wife. I've missed you."

I straighten, leaving the basket on the floor as I face the man who still haunts my dreams. The daylight illuminates him, making him look like an angel, but I know the devil that hides under that charming smile and perfect clothing. For a moment, I'm back to hiding in the dark, hoping he won't hurt me.

I'm not her anymore.

Stepping closer, I drop my eyes to Melvin. "It's okay," I tell him, forcing a smile before I meet Roger's eyes again. "Let him go."

"No, I don't think I will." Roger's hand constricts on his shoulder, and Melvin's eyes tighten, but he doesn't let out any sound indicating it hurts, even though we both know it does. My hands clench into fists at my sides.

"What do you want?" I demand.

"What do I want?" His laugh startles me. It's sudden and wrong. "I want my wife to come home, of course."

"Never happening. Let him go and leave, Roger. Just leave us alone. I spared you once. I won't do it again," I warn.

"Are you threatening me, Ember?" he purrs, tugging Melvin tighter against his body, his hand tightening once more on his shoulder. Melvin lets out a gasp of pain, one that goes straight to my heart like a spike. "You've grown brave in your time away from me. Not to worry. I can break that again. If you come home now, I'll let them live. I only want you. If not . . ." His hand tightens even more, his threat obvious. "Well, we both know I know exactly how to make it hurt and end a life. You're mine, Ember. Now come home."

He holds out his other hand. Gritting my teeth, I glance at Melvin, trying to assure him it's okay as I step closer, needing to get him away from Roger before he hurts him further.

I glance briefly at Greg, who is sneaking up on them, no doubt hearing the commotion, and I shake my head slightly. We can't risk him hurting Melvin.

"Now, Ember. I'm losing my patience. This is your last warning," Roger snaps.

"I will never go with you," I spit as I step closer, reaching out and gripping Melvin's arm. "This is your last warning. If I see you again, I won't spare you. I'll kill you myself."

A noise behind me has Roger glancing away for a second.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing?" the teenager calls as he emerges from the back. It's the distraction we need. I grab Melvin and push him through the door behind him and Roger, shopping forgotten. Greg runs after us, and we dive into the car and take off without any delay, desperate to get away.

My heart beats strongly in my throat as I realize how close we were to being in trouble. When I glance in the mirror, I see Roger standing in the middle of the road, his hand lifted in a wave and a mocking smile on his lips.

The message is clear—he'll see me soon—but I meant what I said.

The next time I see my husband, I'll kill him. He won't hurt my family.

He won't take my home from me.