Chapter Twenty-Six

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Val

" A re you sure it's okay for me to drive your truck to the grocery store?" I ask Vaughn through the FaceTime message. "I only have my permit." I'm scared to do anything wrong that might hurt me getting my license.

"What I'm telling you is the crew went to high school with every deputy in this town. If you get pulled over, you're going to be fine. I've got to take a shower, I fell into the river. I'm sure you can smell me."

He's right. I can. "Does your truck stink?"

"I rode home with the windows down, and plastic covering the seat. I threw the plastic away before I came up here. It shouldn't smell too bad, but I do. You'll wanna stay away until I've had at least two showers."

"Okay, you left your keys in it?"

"I did. You've got this, Val. You can handle it with no problem. I believe in you."

He's the only one who ever has. "I'm going to do this, and if I get pulled over, I'm gonna blame it on you." I grin.

He laughs, taking off his shirt. "I'm throwing this shit in the dumpster, but first it's going on the landing of the stairs. Don't touch it."

"Trust me, I won't." I give him a wink. "If I wreck your truck, should I bother coming home?"

"Most definitely, I'll smack that ass, and then we'll talk about whatever it was that made you misjudge the situation so much."

Him talking about smacking my ass causes heat between my legs. I lick my lips and give him a smile.

"Oh my goodness, Val. What the fuck? Are you interested in that?"

"Maybe..." I pull my bottom lip between my teeth. It's hard to breathe. "I think so."

"Then we can try it out sometime, you can count on that. I gotta get in the shower. I'll see you when you get home?"

"Yeah. I've got some new recipes to try out for dinner this week, and I'll be driving the speed limit, so it may take me a little longer than you expect." I warn him not wanting him to worry. It's different with him than it ever was with the men at my home. He'll call because he's worried, not because he wants to check in and see where I am.

"Take your time. Love you, Val."

Those words make my heart rate increase to dangerous levels. "Love you, too."

I'm enjoying my afternoon as I meander through the aisles. Typically I go in, get exactly what I need and get out, because someone else is driving me, or I have to walk home. Not today. This little taste of independence is everything I've wanted, everything I've craved. I reach up to grab an ingredient on the top shelf. My fingertips graze it, and I curse being short.

"Here, let me help you." A voice whispers near my ear.

I freeze.

I would know that voice anywhere. I thought Vaughn had scared him off, but obviously not.

"Did you miss me, niece?"

Uncle Denny. "Not in the least. What are you doing here?"

"Shopping, just like everyone else. It's not against the law is it?"

I don't have anything to say to him, and I can't stand the smirk on his face. It reeks of someone who has never had to face any consequences to his actions, or actually been reprimanded in a way that was meaningful. I turn from him, and continue through the store. He follows behind at a close distance, no matter where I go. I even make a trip to the bathroom, and he's there when I come out, glaring at me. Immediately feeling uneasy, I turn back for the bathroom, seeking solace and safety, but he catches up to me, pressing us against the wall. My chest is smashed, and his front is to my back.

"Where do you think you're running to, Valentina? You may have been able to leave your parents, but how could you leave me?"

"I had to get away." I whisper, trying to knock him loose.

He reaches forward, hooking his hand around my neck, jerking it back so that his lips are at my ear. "I love you, Valentina, how could you leave me?"

I'm shaking, trying not to gag as he runs one of his hands down the front of my body, cupping my breast. "Please stop."

"Let me do it." He insists. "I could show you things you've only dreamed of. Give me a chance."

I'm about to scream when someone turns down the hallway, and he eases off, separating our bodies. I take the chance to run to my cart, and grab it so that I can use it as a weapon if I need to. I'm shaking and shivering as I check out and head to Vaughn's truck.

I thought I was safe, but maybe I'm not safe anywhere. With shaking fingers, I dial Vaughn. His is the only voice I want to hear.