Landry
Can I come with you?
Della’s signed question physically hurts me, especially coupled with the pleading expression she gives me.
“No,” Dad answers for me. “She’s doing her part for this family. You, child, will behave and do your part.”
Della isn’t even looking at him, so she doesn’t catch a word. Anxiety knots my stomach. Ever since yesterday, when Dad picked me up from school and grounded me from every aspect of my life, he’s been distant and cold. Not that I mind the distance, but it just means he’s up to something.
It makes me sick and uneasy.
Leaving Della with him for a few hours worries me, but luckily Sandra is staying late tonight, having decided to inventory the silver and polish it. She’ll spend the entire time sucking up to him and praising his exquisite taste in cutlery. I may not like the witch, but Dad is less likely to do anything horrible, like smack her around, if Sandra is nearby feeding his narcissism with her endless compliments.
I’ll bring you back some candy, I sign and smile at her. Promise.
The doorbell rings causing my nerves to rattle in response. This “date” with Ty is a means to an end. He’s my key to this door I’m locked behind. Where Ford distracts me and complicates every situation we’re in, Ty doesn’t have that hold over me. He was nice and his texts, before Dad took my phone, were funny. He will help me. He has to.
“Della. Room,” Dad barks. “Sandra, answer the door.”
Della doesn’t see Dad’s mouth, so I quickly sign for her to go to her room. She’s not happy but obeys. Dad is too volatile lately. Neither she, nor I, are going to do anything to set him off.
Ty enters the living room a moment later with Sandra on his heels. He’s handsome in a pair of dark jeans, black boots, and a fitted red T-shirt that stretches over his nicely defined muscles. His blond hair is styled in a pompadour. It looks good on him. With his sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes, and height, he looks good enough to model. He smiles when he sees me, taking a second to appreciate my form as well.
Though I’m not as casual as him, I’m by no means overdressed. I’m wearing a Samantha Sung cotton stretch shirtdress with Bali boats printed on the fabric and my favorite pair of Jimmy Choo latte-colored leather espadrille wedge sandals that give me an extra four and a half inches in height. I left my natural waves in my hair today rather than straightening it so it’s bouncier than usual.
“Wow,” Ty says, his grin growing wider. “You look great.”
His praise makes me uncomfortable, especially with my father present. I force out a smile and am overly polite back to him. “You look nice too.”
He winks at me and then saunters over to Dad. They shake hands. Dad gives him a stern lecture about keeping his daughter safe. Ty promises to not let anything happen to me. With Dad’s security detail attending this date with us tonight, I don’t think neither Dad nor Ty need to worry. I’ll be under constant scrutiny.
But I have a plan.
“Enjoy your evening, sweetheart,” Dad says, his tone cool. “See you before midnight.” He walks over to me, snakes his arm around my waist, and kisses my forehead.
I try not to cringe or squirm out of his hold. It takes everything in me to hold still and endure it. Finally, he releases me. A shiver works its way down my spine, but I ignore it.
We bid Dad goodbye and Ty’s hand finds the small of my back. He guides me out of the condo where four men are standing sentry outside our door. They’re all dressed in black and wearing the same earpieces. If I had to guess, they’re ex-military or something. Only the best for Daddy’s little girl.
I’m not escaping with these watchdogs breathing down my neck.
The escape won’t happen tonight, though. Soon, but not tonight. I just have to work out the details first. That means having a private word with Ty.
Right now, he’s my only option. As much as I wish I could get Ford’s help, until he gives me more about himself, I can’t trust him. Not with something as important as me and Della’s freedom. It’s a sucker punch to the chest, but I can’t risk it. I can’t risk Ford’s secrets blowing up in my face.
At least with Ty, what you see is what you get. He’s transparent and real. I don’t feel like he has some horrible truth he’s hiding from me. Ty is my only hope.
Ty chatters about the movie and the last time he’s been to see one. He moves easily from topic to topic, letting me brood in silence. We climb into one of Dad’s Mercedes SUVs in order to fit everyone. I let Ty take my hand, though one of the security guys narrows his gaze at the action.
“So this isn’t creepy or anything,” Ty says under his breath. “I feel like we’re on a reality show or something.”
“Two out of five stars,” I grumble.
“Only two?” He shoots me a silly grin. “That dude’s neck tat alone gets a star. Seriously, man, did that shit hurt or what?”
Neck tat dude ignores him.
Rude.
“Anyway, so how’ve you been?” Ty asks, dropping his voice again. “School going okay?”
I bite on my bottom lip, trying not to burst into tears. “School’s fine.”
He frowns, glances at our entourage, and then presses his lips together. There’s so much more to that statement. We both know it. Fortunately, he’s smart enough to realize it and doesn’t probe. I relax when he starts babbling about this new car he wants. I’m able to smile and nod without fear of crying.
Eventually we make it to the theater. Our group of sentries surround us—one up ahead checking for only God knows what and the other three walking behind. If Ty is weirded out by the stares we’re getting, he doesn’t let it show. He chatters the entire time we wait in line to pay, then again on the way to the concessions, only pausing long enough to have me tell him what I want. I order a bag of Skittles for Della.
Once in the actual theater where our movie will be playing, we find a spot at the very top. A guy sits on either side of us, leaving only a chair in between. The other two guys sit closer to the exits.
It feels like an eternity until the movie begins. I sit patiently through the previews at the beginning and also through the slow start of the movie. When the action starts blasting through the speakers, I nudge Ty with my elbow and lean in. He notices my movement and holds the bag of popcorn toward me while bringing his ear close to my mouth. I point at the screen, pretending to ask him about the movie.
“Help me.”
His eyes cut my way, wide and concerned. “Okay.”
Just like that. Okay. I want to cry, but I can’t afford to break down right now. My time is limited. This opportunity for escape is razor thin.
“I need money. A few thousand. As soon as possible.”
“Your dad?”
“I am getting us away from him,” I whisper. “He’s a bad man. He hurts us, Ty.”
His frown deepens. “I can get you money, but I’ll have to access my trust fund. That means going through my parents. It’ll take me at least until tomorrow. Maybe even the next day. Is it safe to wait that long?”
No.
But I don’t have a choice.
“Do you want me to text you when I get it?” he asks.