Ward of the State by Jade Royal

Author:Jade Royal [Royal, Jade]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jade Royal

I had every light on inside my house as I walked around packing up things. Part of me was afraid that he was somewhere hiding, waiting for me to find him. He was sick in that way. But by the time everything was ready to go, he still hadn’t surfaced, and I’d searched every nook and cranny.

Before leaving, I would feed my belly and then take a nap. I didn’t want to be driving while I was tired. Eating was harder than I thought it would be. It was my last meal here and seemed to be the end of my independence. Maybe I should try a different approach and move out of the country. Would Jarvis really go that far to get me?

Tears swelled, seeming to come from nowhere. Exhaustion laced every thought, making the reality of my situation heavy. I’d tried to keep thoughts of Ward away, but my stupid brain wouldn’t let that happen. I let the tears run freely in bed, and I gave my emotions the okay to be sad. Curling into a ball, I cried for the burden of Jarvis, the disappointment of Ward, and mostly for feeling like a prisoner in their massive assumptions. Eventually, the three of us lost, and sleep won out, forcing me under its wing.

I dreamed of being locked into darkness and screaming with no way out. Each nightmare rolled into another one, never letting me go. In the morning, I was more tired than when I went to sleep, afraid of the purpose required of me in the daylight. It was time to go.

I rolled over onto my back to see Jarvis lying beside me.

“Good morning, baby.” His green eyes shone brightly, and the smile tilting his lips made my stomach roll.

I didn’t say a single word. There was no need to. How he got in wasn’t important. Why he was here was obvious. What he wanted was me. That would only further frustrate me. Where he got his information was probably similar to how Ward got his. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wasn’t leaving this house with him. He’d have to kill me first.

“Good morning, Jarvis.” The calmness that settled in my gut was eerie. He was here, there was no more running, and I knew he wouldn’t get violent unless provoked.

“Did you miss me?” He took a lock of my hair into his hand and twirled it around his fingers.

Instead of answering, I reflected. “Are you hungry? I am.”

“I asked you a goddamn question. Did you miss me?”

I took my hair from his hand. “I asked if you wanted breakfast.”

Never during all my time with him was I ever complacent and accepting of what he’d done to me. He’d tried to break me, but I didn’t have the spirit that just died. Instead, I made it worse by challenging him. I avoided trying to make him angry, but that wasn’t due to me just following his lead.

“I’m not stupid enough to think that you did.

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