no turning back

• fifteen •

gladys

I waded into the kitchen, pretending to clean the counters and put things away while Ben tapped away on his phone.

"What time is Eloise coming over?" I asked in a neutral voice.

If I showed too much interest, he might shut down and not let me meet her. He'd already rescheduled this three times and his hyper-focused behavior didn't assure me this would be the last failed attempt.

While I wouldn't have opposed waiting longer to meet his girlfriend, I knew he liked Eloise a lot and wanted this to go well. I was happy for him.

The only reason I dreaded this encounter was because she believed I was his daughter. Unless I wanted to blow our cover, I had to play the part. We didn't see the same people on a daily basis, aside from the occasional neighbor in passing, so I didn't have to worry as much about keeping up with the cover answers.

I just didn't have that much energy left over to keep up a facade after dealing with my personal issues.

Our cover was technically already blown to bits—at least to the people who mattered—but Ben didn't need to know that. He was actually enjoying this new life, and I wanted to embrace his happiness for as long as it would last. That meant doing my best to protect him from the danger lurking beyond the walls of this house.

"She'll be here in fifteen," he responded, looking up from his phone screen. He assessed my outfit and nodded. "Remember what we talked about?"

"Yep," I said, popping the 'p.'

To make the cover believable, Ben and I agreed on what topics we could and could not discuss in front of Eloise. We even brainstormed fake memories and stories to tell her. The situation was honestly really fucking sad.

This just went to show how lonely life on the run could be. It was slowly killing us both, even if we'd done it for years now in the name of survival. I only felt more responsible for ensuring his happiness here.

If not for me, Ben would be perfectly safe here. Before Elijah's brother swooped in, I truly contemplated whether Ben would be better off without me. Although I knew losing me would crush him, he truly would be better off.

"Do you have everything ready for your girls' day?" he asked.

He knew I did since he watched me spend all evening packing my bag, but I nodded and smiled for his benefit.

"Sure do," I said. "Thanks for agreeing, by the way. It means a lot to me."

Even if I have to suffer in that intolerable asshole's presence all day.

"Now, I know I've slackened on the rules a little," he said, "but don't forget to be available and don't do anything reckless."

"I know."

"I'll drop everything to come get you if things go south."

"I know you will, but you have nothing to worry about."

Aside from Cyrus assaulting or kidnapping me, that is.

A knock at the front door brought an end to our conversation. Ben smoothed a hand over his balding head, making me chuckle.

"I'll get it," I said and crossed to the door.

Although I was mostly very excited for Ben to have a special lady to share his fake life with, I couldn't help but feel protective of him also. I wanted to scope this woman out. I'd be nice, of course, but I had a feeling I'd know if she had fishy intentions.