Izabelle

I couldn't stop shaking.

Lying on the hard bench, I curled into a ball and clasped my knees to my chest. I was surprised that the words to the Bible verses I'd been reading came to me clearly, and I whispered them aloud.

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8. "

Was God with me? Yes, without a doubt. Whether he would call someone like me, I still wasn't sure. I might not be guilty of stealing a car, but I wasn't innocent. My sins were much worse.

Keeping my eyes closed, I thought of Hunter and imagined that we were somewhere warm with lots of open space. A big, green grassy field with horses beneath a blue sky scattered with fluffy clouds.

The creaking door yanked me from the image. "The Captain wants to see you."

I sat up, feeling dizzy and swaying.

"You alright?" O'Leary's gaze raked over me, seeming to note that I was wearing Hunter's jacket.

"Just a little lightheaded."

"Hmm." She didn't sound too sure. "Since you're such good friends with Captain Donovan, you might not have to spend the night."

My eyes flew to Officer O'Leary, and I was surprised to her lips compress with disapproval. "I don't think he'll be able to help me."

Her brow lifted, and she shot me a look of disdain. "Don't you?"

"I can't post bond until tomorrow."

She shook her head. "I hope he knows what he's doing. He's always played by the book, but he isn't thinking clearly now."

"I'm not going to hurt him."

"He's a good man. I'd hate to see him ruin his career because you seduced him into lying for you." Her gaze flashed with anger.

"Seduced him?" I was shocked. I remembered the look of disgust on O'Leary's face before he took me to his office. She thought that Hunter and I were lovers. "It's not like that—"

"Turn around." She shook her head, ending the conversation.

I did and she snapped on the handcuffs a little too tightly. Surely, she didn't think... "Nothing happened between us."

"Hope you can remember that story." Her tone dripped sarcasm as she ushered me into Hunter's office.

My gaze landed on Lucy, and I was so happy to see her that tears filled my eyes.

She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me. "I'm sorry Lucy," I whispered, feeling Hunter behind me. Suddenly my hands were free, and I hugged Lucy back.

"Me too. I love you."

"I love you. So much."

I have no idea how long we held each other before Kyle stepped beside us and put his hand on my back. Catching the knowing look in his eyes, I smiled, trying to reassure him. Then I went into my brother's arms.

"I don't want you worrying about me," I told him. "It's just until the morning, and then I'll get this straightened out."

Lucy's gaze swung to Hunter. So did Kyle's.

"You're being released into my custody," Hunter said, his steady gaze on mine. "They're not going to worry because you'll be spending the night in Lucy's room."

We stared at each other a moment longer than necessary, and I wanted to go to him. To wrap my arms around him and have him hold me. Comfort me. He'd accomplished the impossible. I was not going to spend the night in jail.

Suddenly, I remembered our prayers and I thanked the Lord. God had helped us. He'd used Hunter to free me. I knew it with all my heart and soul, but I had no idea why.

Turning back to Kyle, I knew from his expression he'd seen the look that had passed between Hunter and I. Lucy seemed aware of it as well, and before I could wonder about what she thought, she smiled.

"It's been a long night." Hunter raked a hand through his dark hair. "We should go home. Izabelle has to be in court early tomorrow morning."

Kyle turned to Hunter and shook his hand. "Thank you again, for everything. If there's anything I can do to repay you, let me know."

Hunter nodded and gave him a close-lipped smile. "Take care of my girl."

"Yes, sir. I'll take Lucy home." Kyle's face flushed and he looked suddenly uncomfortable. "I mean I'll make sure she gets home. To her place. Not mine. I'd never disrespect her in any way."

Hunter's jaw tightened, but I saw he was trying not to smile. "If I thought you would, I wouldn't let her leave with you. I trust my daughter."

It was then I noticed that Lucy was wearing one of Kyle's shirts tied at her waist and she wasn't wearing any make-up. Given the late hour, it was obvious they'd been together when Hunter called.

Knowing how devoted they were to Jesus I knew nothing had happened between Lucy and Kyle despite how it looked. Hunter realized it as well.

We left the police station and Hunter was quiet as he opened the door for me and we drove to his house.

Feeling the need to fill the silence, I glanced over at him and tried to smile. "Guess you just can't get rid of me."

"I never wanted to get rid of you," he answered quietly, looking straight ahead.

"I know, but you don't think I should stay at your house anymore."

"Not until we're married was what I said." He glanced over. "This is a special circumstance."

"Is it?"

"This where we are now, Izzy. God knows that."

I nodded. "God answered our prayers."

"Yeah, It's going to be ok, baby. We'll get through this, together."

He believed that. I relaxed. Loving how he called me baby and how his solid presence soothed my pain. Closing my eyes, I leaned back against the seat. The next thing I knew we were home. I couldn't believe I'd fallen into a deep sleep so quickly.

Jack greeted us, his tail wagging with excitement, and licked my leg. Smiling, I reached down and rubbed him between the ears. I was still a little woozy, and I swayed but caught myself in time, shaking it off. I'm sure Hunter didn't see, but when I glanced back at him, he looked upset.

"Kyle's in love with her you know," I whispered.

Lifting his hand from Jack's head, Hunter straightened. "I know. He told me. I'm not upset with your brother."

"Oh. I'm responsible for the scowl on your face?" My stomach clenched. "Hunter, I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize." The words seemed torn from him. "I'm not mad at you." He raked a hand through his hair. "It's just that—Kyle said you're claustrophobic."

I swallowed hard, wondering if I'd imagined the shimmer of tears in his eyes before he blinked. "He shouldn't have."

"You should have told me."

"It would have made it harder for you to leave me." I inhaled and caught the stench of alcohol. "Tell me the truth. Are you going to get in trouble for taking me home?"

"No. I told the Chief you were Lucy's friend."

Shifting, I tried to sort that in my head. "He doesn't know that I'm your friend too?"

"He knows. He asked if we were sleeping together. I didn't lie if that's what you're concerned about." Hunter pulled me into his arms, and I sank against his chest. He was warm and safe. The tears I'd been holding back came with a vengeance.

He pulled back just enough to look down at me. "Hey, don't cry. I'll take care of this."

"I-I don't know how to thank you for helping me tonight." My body shook with sobs. "If things don't go well tomorrow—" I took a breath. "I want you to know I appreciate everything." Lifting my chin, I forced a smile and pretended to be braver than I was. Maybe I'd fake it until I felt it.

"Izabelle." My name was a deep velvety rumble that made goosebumps pop on my skin. "You're not going back to jail. I won't let that happen."

"It doesn't look good. I can't believe I was stupid enough to think he'd ever give me the title to the car."

He rubbed his hand over his jaw. "My friend is a lawyer, and he read your arrest report. He's sure the case will be dismissed."

"I can't afford a lawyer."

Frowning, he shook his head. "You don't have to pay him."

More tears fell, blurring my vision. "He doesn't think I'll have to go to jail?"

Hunter chucked me beneath the chin, bringing my gaze to his. "No, he doesn't. I hope those are happy tears."

"They are! I'm afraid to hope."

"Believe God can work miracles. For you. For us." The pads of his thumbs brushed at my tears.

"Oh, I do believe He can. God was what got me through tonight. I prayed and I felt him with me in the cell."

Again, I thought I saw a glint of tears filling Hunter's eyes, but he glanced away. "Let's get you something to eat," he said putting his arm around me and leading me to the kitchen.

***

Darkness reached down and weaved its tendrils around me, holding me in its claws. I could not wake up from the nightmare.

"He's gonna find us."

I stroked Kyle's hair comforting him. "If he does, you know what to do."

"Yeah, I do," he responded with a maturity that belied his young age.

Uneasiness slipped through me. "You'll hide," I told him firmly.

"No," he shot back.

"Listen to me," I insisted. "You're too little to fight him and I'm not strong enough."

"I know that."

I saw him glance down and knew he was hiding something. Reaching for his shirt, I pulled it up and was shocked to see the silver butcher knife in my little brother's fist.

"Oh, God." Tears filled my eyes. "Why do you have that?"

"I don't know." Kyle stubbornly lifted his chin. "He's not gonna hurt us anymore!"

"We'll go to the police!" I assured him. "I'll fix this, I promise!"

"They'll split us up. That's why you didn't want to tell Ava's parents."

Tears slid down my cheeks. "I was wrong. We can't go on like this. I understand that now. But you can't do anything stupid."

"Be quiet, Izabelle. He's coming."

"Come out, come out wherever you are," came the eerie singsong voice. "Iz-a-belle, Kyyyle."

My blood went cold.

Kyle's hand covered mine protectively.

We'd hidden in the shed over a dozen times and Darryl had never found us before, but, somehow I knew today would be different.

An instant later the face of pure evil filled the doorway. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here."

I lifted my chin with false bravado. "S-stay away from us or I'll call the police."

He grinned. "I don't think so. You brats want to stay together. The cops will ruin that. Now be a good little girl and give Daddy the knife."

Shivering, I met his icy stare, cold, flat, and sober. Mom had always blamed Daddy's moods on his drinking, but deep down I'd known there was something wrong with him.

"Don't do it, Izabelle," Kyle warned, trying to step in front of her.

"Don't do it, Izabelle," Darryl mocked in a falsetto voice. "Listen you little jerk, I've got something that'll change your mind."

I felt Kyle tense as Darryl lifted a furry little bundle in the air, and I recognized the puppy my brother had found last week and had been feeding.

"Put her down!" Kyle lunged forward.

Darryl laughed and dropped the puppy.

We screamed.

Darryl caught the dog and jerked it against him, his beady eyes glittering maliciously. "Let's play make a deal! Tell your sister to give me the knife, and I'll give you the mutt."

"No." Kyle's voice broke on the single word. "You can't give him the knife, Izzy."

He was right, but then Darryl's hands encircled the puppy's neck and squeezed. I saw the big brown eyes looking up at me desperately, and I knew I had to stop him. "No!" I screamed. "Take it."

"Izabelle, no!"

Darryl jerked the knife from my hand, looked me in the eyes, and swung the blade toward the trembling dog. Blood splattered over my clothes. I screamed and screamed.

I wasn't sure which screams were mine and which were Kyle's. Darryl's fist shot out and knocked my brother out cold before turning on me.

Grabbing my arms, he spat, "I'll teach you respect!" He yanked my arm so hard I cried out, and he pulled me behind him, shoving me inside the trailer, not stopping until we reached his foul-smelling room. It was dark and spooky, but not nearly as frightening as he was.

Dragging me towards a large black trunk, I fought wildly when I realized what he meant to do, but it was no use. He shoved me into the trunk and slammed the lid.

"No! Please!" I panicked. Screaming and pounding my fists, I cried and begged, but it was hopeless.

I couldn't breathe.

Everything turned fuzzy.

The spaces closed in, and I knew I was going to die.

I couldn't stand it. Striking out, I hit and kicked and screamed until my throat was raw.

No one could hear, but I could not stop screaming.