18

❤❤❤

I shuddered at the thought of Hunter standing on the other side of the hotel door as I whispered for Steph to wake up but when I looked over, she wasn't there. Panic struck through me as I gathered the courage to tiptoe to the door and relief flooded through me when I saw her through the peephole with Trish right behind her.

I quickly turned the lock and let them inside. Studying Trish's face to make sure she was unharmed. Steph chimed in first "Hey sleeping beauty!" She said as she came through the door. Her hands filled with plates of food and Trish was holding drinks.

"What time is it?" I rubbed the sleep from eyes, relief flooding through me at the site of the girls. "Noon," Trish said with a smile as she handed me a cup of coffee, I brought the warm liquid to my lips and sighed with how good it felt to have a simple cup of coffee.

I thanked them both and we all went outside to the balcony to eat. I would have been nervous about being outside with no disguise, but we were on a high floor and I needed to relax for my own sanity.

The girls sat on either side of me. I looked over at a grinning Trish. "How are you not exhausted after that flight back and forth?" I asked her.

She took a bite from a biscuit "Well after that guy discovered it wasn't me he cussed for a minute and then went to the back of the plane. I got up and found some other attendants and went to sleep in their area. The plane came back and they woke me up when we landed."

"I got your things." She said as she handed me a bag. "It's your clothes and wig and stuff." Thank god, I need my hoodie, but I need to throw the wig out and probably redye my hair since it obviously didn't help. "But I also got you a phone" She clapped her hands and I gave her a guilty look.

"Thank you so so much." I looked between them. "Both of you. I didn't know there was so much kindness in the world. but... But I can't have a phone."

Trish shook her head with a smile. "It's a burner-phone, I bought it with cash. No one will be able to find you through that. I also installed both of our numbers." I could cry.

"Oh my god! Thank you!" I can call Alec and update him, I should have already but time slipped away in my panic. These two girls have done so much for me, they have no idea.

"Also," Steph started speaking. "We have you on a flight going anywhere you want to go, just tell us where you plan to go and we'd get you going." A gasp escaped my lips.

"How much?" I asked, knowing full well these girls have done enough but they both shrugged. "Family flies free, and you Esme are my half-sister." Trish winked and I smiled at her like a little girl that a toy was just bought for.

I fiddled with my thumbs, not knowing the words to say. "Why were you both so quick to help me?" I asked and they both looked at each other, small frowns turning their lips. Steph spoke first. "We had a friend... her name was Hannah." Was... Oh no. Maybe I shouldn't have asked. "Her situation is different than yours, she was a little... promiscuous." She let out a humourless laugh. "Anyways, she got in with the wrong crowd and into a really toxic relationship." Silence hung in the air for a moment and Trish finished the tale.

A deep breath in. "She never made it out of that relationship alive," Trish said as she looked at me intently. I gave her a knowing nod because I'm in that situation right now. But my problem is, I was dead if I stayed and I'm dead if I run. I just have to pray he stops looking.

"But you will." She said as she placed her hand on mine that was in my lap, Steph followed suit and we sat in silence for a while.

The girls took me to the airport, through the back and straight onto the landing strip. I was in shock of how the process moved behind the scenes.

I was escorted onto the first class and Trish stayed with me, holding my hand on the entire flight. I decided to fly straight into Florida since I didn't use my ID to get onto the plane, Trish sidestepped that entire process so I wouldn't have a paper trail.

After exiting the plane I gave Trish a big hug and she told me to keep in touch, thanks to them getting me a phone, I can.

I will forever be grateful for their hospitality and good nature. I was alone again but not for long as I saw Alec beaming and waving frantically through the glass windows at the exit.

"Alec!" I jumped into his arms, tears welling in my eyes. "Hey Es." He laughed into my hair. "Where is Sophia?" I scanned behind him looking for her. He pulled me back by my shoulders and studied me with a wide smile.

"She's been cooking all day, you better be hungry." He slung his arm over my shoulder and guided me to his Land Rover.

At that moment I felt a sense of calm wash over me... too bad it didn't last

❤❤❤

Vote, comment, share