All My Broken Pieces (FindingLight #2)

Chapter 26

Arriana

The music fills the cab of the truck, some country song I’ve never heard of, but if Andrew’s terrible singing is any indication, it’s gotta be one of his favorites.

I smile, kicking my legs up on the dash and shouting over the music, “So, where are we going?” My heartbeat speeds up at the promise of getting to see my baby again. It’s the one thing that has kept me going throughout this whole ordeal.

Andrew glances at me, reaching over and turning down the radio’s volume. “I’ve got a connection who runs a half-way house of sorts in Spokane. She said you could stay there until the heat dies down a bit.”

I nod my head, tapping my foot to the beat. “Okay, cool. Is it safe?” My mind pictures Fallon amongst a bunch of degenerates and my teeth set on edge. Might be the teensiest bit hypocritical. I know I can hold my own, but my beautiful goddess? Not so much.

“Safe enough.” Andrew grunts, glancing down at his dashboard as it lights up with an incoming message. Sighing, he picks up his phone and quickly taps on the screen before dropping it once more, the sound of ringing filling the cab. The call connects to silence and Andrew’s lips twitch. “Hey, Killian.”

“Andrew.” Killian’s deep voice filters through the speakers. “Avamarie is…concerned.”

Andrew shifts his eyes to me then quickly back to the road. “Yeah?” He responds, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel.

My eyes narrow. Something’s up. Something they’re not telling me.

“Yes. Her friend showed up in hysterics last night.” Killian continues, and my heart stops.

Fallon? Oh baby…

“We finally got her to calm down, but I think she overheard Avamarie and I talking about Arriana and her situation .” Sighing heavily, Killian pauses before saying, “Look, Andrew, I don’t know if she’s going to be able to handle being separated for long.”

My skin crawls at his words. Slowly pushing upright, I slip my legs off the dash, turning in my seat to level Andrew with a glare that very few have survived being on the receiving end of. “Andrew…” I hiss between my clenched teeth.

Killian lets out an exasperated noise at the sound of my voice. “I’ll let you both figure that out. But I suggest you do so quickly. She’s not doing well.” The call disconnects and the music resumes. The country twang grates on my nerves, making an already volatile situation worse.

Slowly moving my arm, I switch off the radio and a hushed silence fills the vehicle. “Andrew, I love you, I do. But you have five seconds to tell me what the fuck is going on.” I don’t have to tell him what I’ll do, he’s seen enough to use his imagination.

Gulping, Andrew shifts nervously in his seat. “See, the thing is…” His voice trails off before he clears his throat and tries once more. “It’s not safe for her. You have to know that.”

I breathe through my nose, trying to focus on the feel of the breath filling my lungs and emptying once more.

He’s right. And I hate it.

“I can’t do this without her.” I whisper, my shoulders slumping at the realization that I’m going to have to. To protect her.

“I know.” He murmurs, reaching over and squeezing my thigh. “But, hey, it’s just temporary, right?” He offers, giving me a small comforting smile.

I turn my gaze to the passenger window, releasing another heavy breath. “Right. Temporary.”

“Whelp, here we are.” Andrew groans as he stretches his muscles.

What should have been only a few hour trip took twice that as we made several detours and stopped along the way in various locations to ensure there was no one on our tail.

“Finally.” I grumble, looking at the two story family home in front of us. “ This is the place?”

Andrew chuckles at my disbelieving tone. “The one and only. Come on, time to meet Billie.” Climbing out of the truck, he beelines for the door, leaving me to scramble after him.

As I follow behind him, I look around the street. It’s a typical middle class suburban neighborhood. White picket fence, two point five children, kinda place. Not somewhere I would expect to hide a semi-fugitive.

But if Andrew says it’s safe.

Shrugging at the thought, I come to a stop beside Andrew. He knocks on the door, clasping his hands in front of his body.

A few moments later, the door slides open to reveal a very tall, robust woman. “Andrew.” The woman smiles, holding out her arms in a welcoming gesture.

Andrew beams at her. “Billie.” He replies, gesturing toward me. “This is Arriana, the woman we spoke about.”

“Oh yes. Hi, dear.” Billie turns her blinding smile on me. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

Inclining my head, I try to mirror her smile, but it falls flat. “Thank you. This definitely isn’t what I was expecting.” Andrew elbows my ribs, his grin straining. “What?” I snap. “It’s not.”

Billie chuckles, waving us inside. “Come, come. Let’s get you settled.” We enter the home, Billie following behind us. “I think you’ll fit in just fine.” She whispers to me, a conspiratorial grin on her face. Brushing past us, she turns to the right and up a small staircase. “This way.”

Before we can follow, Andrew grips my arm firmly, halting my steps. “You need to watch yourself here, Ree.” He murmurs, careful to keep his voice down.

Rolling my eyes, I pull my arm from his hold. “I can take care of myself, and you know it.” I wink at him, taking off up the stairs.

Sighing heavily, Andrew follows behind me, shaking his head and mumbling under his breath.

We find Billie waiting outside of one of the several doors lining the hallway. “This room will be yours. Well, you’ll share it with a couple other girls, but this is where you’ll be while staying here.” I peek into the room, finding two bunk beds on either side.

My eyes narrow as I scan over the small space. It looks suspiciously like a prison cell hidden inside of a non-imposing family home.

“Problem, dear?” Billie asks, some of the earlier warmth having drained from her tone.

Need to be careful. Got it.

Turning toward her, I throw on a blinding smile of my own, slipping on my carefree mask. “Not at all, just admiring the accommodations.”

Billie studies me for several heartbeats before returning to her cheery self. “Fantastic.” She quips, clapping her hands together. “I’ll let you get all settled then.” With that, she turns on her heels and disappears down the hall.

I wait several moments before turning to Andrew and demanding, “What is this place? Really.”

He rubs the back of his neck, glancing over his shoulder. “It’s somewhere people go when they have nowhere else. But it’s temporary, I swear.” Gripping my shoulder, he squeezes as he promises, “I’ll get this all cleared up so you can get home.”

I release a heavy breath. “Okay.” With another look around the small space, I spot a notepad and pen resting on one of the two dressers smooshed into the room. Quickly crossing the room, I snatch it up and scribble out a note, ripping off the paper and folding it. I turn back toward Andrew, handing him the folded page. “For Fallon.” I explain.

He inclines his head, slipping the paper into his back pocket. “I’ll be back for you.”

“I know.” I whisper, glancing around the room once more. “Just be quick. Please.”

Andrew’s expression softens as he pulls me into his arms. “I will.”