Free Rendezvous by Arie Lane Page B

don’t want what I’m about to say to be overheard by any prying ears. “I think it would be for the best if you left town, like immediately. And I would really appreciate it if you kept this information to yourself. I’d rather certain people not learn what you just told me, especially the property.”
    Nodding he gives me a small smile, “I understand, just be careful Bentley. She’s a dangerous woman. We’re going to try and hook her this time, but in case we don’t, you should be ready to protect yourself,” he finishes his statement as he gets into his car and pulls away.
    I feel like lately all I do is make shitty decisions, but with Tristan’s cousin on my ass, I honestly feel like I have no choice. Going back into my bedroom I pack lightly, only grabbing the things I’ll need for this trip. I think it’s time I meet my real father and go back to where it all began. I don’t want to run anymore and if Darla knows he’s in a coma, then I expect she knows someone would seek me out, and I’m sure she knows me well enough to know I’d go there to see him at the very least. Besides why else would she have my death threats sent to him unless she already believes we’re in contact?
    Stopping in the kitchen, I pull a piece of paper out of my notepad and jot a note down before grabbing my few bags and locking the door. I turn back to tape the paper to the frame, then toss my bags into the jeep, leaving my cabin and mustang behind.

Chapter 7
     
    Jacob
     
    I should have followed Bentley home last night. It must have been a lot to process to hear that Cora is still alive. That the man who she thought had murdered her sister is one of the good guys. He managed to turn everything she believed about the last seven years upside down. I can only imagine how the rest of her night went. Knowing her, I’m sure she stayed up dwelling on it until the morning.
    Pulling into her drive, I head up to the door and catch the piece of paper on the frame. I figure it’s probably a fuck you note, but I get much more than I bargained for.
     
    Jacob,
    Since neither you nor Tristan understand the concept of backing off, I’ll make it easy for you. No point in knocking; I’m not here, and I probably won’t be back. Don’t try to find me. I’m not hiding. I’m not running. I’m waiting. I’m done living my life wondering when Darla is going to strike next. So this time I’m going someplace she will know exactly where to look. I’m going back where it all began. I need you to convince Tristan to let go. I’m not coming back, even if it means breaking his heart. I’ll be strong this once if it means keeping him alive. By next week, either Darla or I won’t be walking this earth anymore, so it’s for the best if you tell him to forget me. I know your little group doesn’t seem to understand what the fuck that means, so I’ll break it down for you. I DON’T WANT TO BE FOUND! I left Tristan for a reason. Make him see that. There is no future for us. There may not even be a future for me, and I’ll be damned if I endanger his life because he’s too fucking stubborn to leave well enough alone. So drop it. Stop looking and let me do what I need to do. This is my decision; this is my fight...not his...not anyone else’s. Mine alone, and I need it to stay that way so please don’t use whatever mojo bullshit you possess to hunt me down. I’m meant to be alone in this. ~B
     
    Son of a bitch. Tristan is going to fucking kill me. How the hell could I have been so stupid? She’s in the fucking wind again and this time she’s heading straight for a goddamn tornado. I knew that shit last night would hit her hard, but I didn’t think she would run. Although I believe her, as I don’t think she’s running away this time. I think she plans to go head first into a Darla shit storm.
     
    Tristan
     
    We spent the night in a hotel and get a late start this morning though we’re only a few hours away from our destination.