by Rena Marin
The Hideaway
The Backwoods Justice Series Book Two
International Bestselling Author
Rena Marin
Prologue
Summer 1995
I hate it when Dalton tells me what to do. He’s not my daddy. No, that bitch killed him. She took the only man who’d tried to teach me anything away. Yeah, my piece of shit momma brought me out here, but I was the one he thought was worthy of keeping. Not her. Now, he’s gone, and Dalton won’t let me take part in punishing that girl for doing it.
Stomping through the woods, I debate on whether I should really go back to the house like Dalton says. Daddy said if anything happened to him, I needed to listen to what Dalton told me to do. That doesn’t mean I like him. Yeah, he’s my older brother, but he’s a jerk. All he can talk about is himself. He’s going to help daddy do this and that. He’s going to bring pride back to the Fox family. He forgets I’m around. Asshole.
Daddy never forgot me though. When he would make plans, he always included me. His plan had been to toughen me up since my momma made me weak and make me part of everything he had going on. He was teaching me. That’s why I was locked up in that pen. I needed to learn how to survive without a bed to sleep in or someone giving me everything I need. According to Daddy, even Dalton hadn’t learned that lesson yet.
The sound of a gunshot echoing through the woods drops me to the ground. I lay flat, just like Daddy taught me. He said that was the easiest way to stay hidden out there on our land. I wiggle around, like an army man, trying to see what’s happening off in the distance. I’m too far away now, though, so I start crawling.
In my mind, I’m in the trenches, like Daddy used to say. I’m staying low, avoiding the enemy, and taking in my surroundings. I wonder if Daddy was ever in the army? When I lived with Momma, she liked to buy me army men to play with. They were cheap and something that would keep me occupied. She didn’t like spending time to teach me things like Daddy. That’s why I didn’t care when he killed her. She wasn’t the greatest momma out there or anything. The little men showed me positions to take when in battle, but Daddy was the one who taught me how to really do things that needed to be done.
My chest is covered in mud by the time I find a spot that gives me a good visual to what’s happening. Just like I suspected, though, big brother Dalton has been caught. I see three police cars and a large, blue truck pulled in behind Dalton’s ride. The big know-it-all doesn’t have a head, and the girl Daddy wanted to raise me and the rest of the family is sitting on the ground covered in his blood and brains. Just great.
I slip the crossbow off my back, careful not to make a sound. I could get a clear shot from here, but I don’t have enough bolts to make a difference. I could take out the sheriff, the bitch who’s going to tell them everything, and a deputy. That would be it. The rest would be on me in no time. My daddy taught me better than this, though. I’m outnumbered. It’s time to retreat. The only question is, where do I go without Daddy?
***
I’ve stayed in the woods. Counting the nights, it’s been five days since I took off. At first, I heard lots of sirens, cars running up and down our road, and even helicopters. Now, I’m too far away for any of that to get to me. The sounds have finally stopped.
To keep myself from getting hungry, I’ve taken out a couple of squirrels. Those little shits aren’t that smart. If you sit still enough, they practically crawl right up to you. A hot meal would be nice, but Daddy taught me that’s not always going to be an easy thing to come by.
One thing I do need, though, is shelter. During my hunts with Daddy, he showed me some old caves no one seems to go to. He said his daddy showed him about them when he was my age. Growing up, he used to spend nights in there when he would go hunting and not want to go home. He says the Fox family knows this land better than anyone. I’m a Fox now, so that makes me an expert.
Watching the sky, I know dawn is coming. If you aren’t outside looking around, you can still tell when the daylight is about to break. You can hear a difference in the animals. I’ve watched several sunrises lately. They aren’t that special. I don’t know why people care that much about it. My momma used to love watching the sun come up. She’d get up every morning, go out on the porch with coffee, and take in the beauty as she called it. For me, all she did was wake me up earlier, which meant I had to deal with her bullshit rules longer in a day. I’m so glad Daddy killed that whore.
Seeing the water, I grin. I’m nearly there. All I have to do is swim across and climb up to the caves he spent so much time in as a boy like me. Maybe he’s left things there? Daddy used to be good about leaving supplies around in the woods in case he needed them. I would’ve hit one of his stockpiles when I took off if the cops hadn’t already been involved. They ain’t taking me to someplace for kids. They’ll have to kill me first.
The dive into the water feels good. I’m caked in dirt and mud, so feeling a bit cleaner is nice. The last spring that I passed was good for drinking but not deep enough for a good cleaning. I take my time in the water, dipping under to rinse the gunk out of my hair and off my face. There’s no need in trying to save my drawers though. Hopefully, I’ll find some clothes somewhere.
Climbing out on the other side, I see the entrance of the caves. According to Daddy, these are better than the ones near the house. He says they go deeper and make it easier to hide. That’s what I need right now. I need to hide, rest up, and figure out what to do next. Stupid Dalton and that whore he wanted so bad have ruined everything.
I’m a good climber, always have been. Daddy said it was my calling. He said when I was older and able to take on a family of my own, it would come in handy. According to him, I’d be able to teach my kids how to survive in the world by showing them how to hide from all the bullshit out there.
Reaching the first cave opening, makes me wish I had a flashlight. I could make a fire, but I don’t want that kind of attention. Especially, not right now. Dalton just fucked up a few days ago. That whore is probably telling them everything she knows. That means they’re looking for me. I can’t do anything to give myself up. Nope. Not happening. Instead, I hold to the wall and start walking.
I don’t know how far I’ve walked when I hear the first movement. I freeze, trying to be silent as a mouse. Something is in here with me. My suspicion is an animal. This cave would be perfect for a bear or mountain lion to live in. I don’t want to take either one on, but I will. I get my crossbow off my back and load it. I want to be ready for anything. What happens though is mind blowing to say the least.
“I wondered how long it would take you to get here, boy.”
The voice makes me jump a bit. It’s shaky, old, and female.
“Who…who’s there?”
I watch as light slowly builds in front of me. I notice the old lantern, like some of the ones Daddy had around the house first, then the old, wrinkled face behind it. She’s creepy as hell, but somehow, oddly familiar.
“I’ve been waiting on you boy. Cletus told me if anything happened to him this would be where you’d go.”
“Who are you? How do you know my daddy?”
“Boy, who do you think raised your daddy? I’m your granny, and it’s time me and the rest of the family take care of you.”
I lower my crossbow and smile. Daddy always said I’d be taken care of if anything ever happened to him. Now, I know what he meant.
“What about the police and that whore who caused all this?”
“Don’t worry, boy, they’ll get what’s coming to them. No one hurts one of mine and lives. It’s already being worked on.”
I don�
��t hesitate. I rush toward her and wrap my arms around her waist. She’s a big woman, strong. I feel her arm wrap around me and can imagine myself being crushed without much effort. She doesn’t do it though. She doesn’t comfort me, but she does let me know I’m safe. That’s all that really matters.
“Come on, boy, let’s get you back to the house, so you can fatten up. You’re scrawny.”
“I need to go after her. I need to make that whore pay.”
“She will. All of them will. The family will take care of that while I take care of you.”
I can’t say why, but I trust her. I know she’s telling the truth. I want to be the one to hurt the one who took my daddy, but I’m not ready. At least I know I’ll be safe while that whore and her family suffers. Too bad I can’t watch though. I want to see her bleed.
Chapter One
Summer 1997
It’s been two years. Two years to the day since I watched my best friends, Crystal and Jessica, suffer and die at the hands of a madman hiding in the woods. Standing here in the mirror, looking at the scars across my body, reminds me of every second of pain I endured. Still, the hurt of losing them is worse. It sticks with me, constantly haunting my thoughts. Could I have done more? Did they have to die? Was it my fault? Why us?
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and try to convince myself to get dressed and start the day. Feeling strong arms wrap around my waist, I jump slightly, my mind still lost on the past.
“Stop,” his sweet voice whispers. “I got you.”
Fighting the tears, I lean back against him then slowly open my eyes. I see him there in the mirror. Dean Gunner, the boy next door who’s always been around, is staring at me, not minding the scars, like I’m the most perfect creature on the face of the earth.
“You can do this. I’m here with you, remember?”
“I know,” I tell him before turning my head slightly and kissing his chest. “Seeing the families is just so hard. If I could just stay here and get through the day without that part, I think I’d be alright.”
“I get that, but they need to see you. I saw that last year. It’s like that depend on seeing that you’re okay to help them heal.”
I pull away and look up into those dark, chocolate eyes of his. Yeah, they’re the kind that can melt my heart. “I don’t feel like being their healer though. Is that a bad thing?”
“No, baby, it’s not. What would be a bad thing is if you ignored how much they needed you. You never do. No matter how much it hurts.”
He has a point there. Over the past two years, I can’t say I’ve been off the farm much, but when I do go out, I always check in on them. It just feels like the right thing to do. At least once a week, I call. If I don’t, they call me. It’s just the routine, and I’m okay with it. Most days, anyway. On the anniversary, it feels like too much of a burden.
“You’re right,” I finally relent. “I can’t hide away here from them. They need people today, of all days. Thank you for going with me.”
He runs his hands through his dark brown hair and smirks. “I don’t mind a day off from your dad bossing me around.”
There it is. There’s that sarcastic humor of his that always seems to make things feel better. He’s always had a knack for that, even when we were kids, and he was hanging around the farm to see the animals. Now that he works here, and basically runs things to make life easier for my dad, the annoying part of him is gone, and I can’t seem to deny that sweet, sexy side that reeled me in.
Knowing I need it, he leans down and kisses my lips gently. “I’ve got you, Sissy. Nothing is going to happen to you while I’m around. That’s a promise, okay. I’ll kill that little son of a bitch if he ever comes anywhere near you.”
And I believe every word he’s saying. If I ever see the boy from that night again, Dean will put him out of his misery. The sad part about it, though, I’d be relieved and happy to witness it. I know that makes me a bad person considering he was just a kid, but I saw the madness in his eyes. He wants me dead, and I know, someday, he’s going to try and do it.
“Let’s just try to get through today,” I tell him trying to change the subject and not feel so bad about wishing someone dead.
***
Changing the subject doesn’t really work on days like today. No matter how hard I try to act like a normal person, others can’t seem to let me. Mom and Dad are the worst. The minute Dean and I step out of our renovated barn we now call home, they are on me.
“Hey, you two. I was hoping to catch you before everyone took off for the cemetery,” Mom calls out as she rushes across the yard to greet us.
On a normal day, we get a wave from the kitchen window or a holler out the backdoor to come over for breakfast or lunch. Not today. Nope, today brings both of them out the door to check on me. Luckily, Dad is much calmer about things than Mom.
“Your hair looks nice,” she tells me smoothing down the braids I have on each side of my head. “It’s very nice with your dress.”
I stare down at the plain, black dress I’m wearing and feel my stomach start to churn. I’m not big on black. I may wear black shorts here and there, but mostly, with all the animals here on the farm, black isn’t my thing. When going to the cemetery though, it’s fitting. I don’t want to be like the other families in cut-off shorts and a tank top. I’d feel like complete shit.
“Thanks,” I finally manage to utter back to her in response.
“I know this is hard, sweety, but they need to see you. You know that.”
I nod my head, acting like I get it. I don’t though. I really don’t. Most of the time I find myself wondering if Jessica’s mom or maybe Crystal’s dad sits and wish I’d been the one taken instead of their daughter. It would make sense. I wouldn’t even be mad. I ask myself that same thing all the time. Why not me? Why them?
“Let’s get going,” Dad finally chimes in to save me from Mom. He points to the vehicles, and that’s the end of the chit chat. It’s time to get going.
Leaning back in the seat as Dean cranks up his Dodge, I close my eyes and instantly see their faces. Jess and her long, black hair and gorgeous smile. Crystal and that obnoxious giggle of hers that reminds all of us of nails on a chalkboard. I know what’s coming though. It always does. Before I even have a chance to open my eyes, I see Crystal slumped in the middle of the road with arrows protruding from her. Then I see Jess, or her head anyway, rolling toward me as punishment for the two of us trying to escape the madness.
I jerk then sit up straight, my eyes scanning the road to get a feel for where we are. It’s so hard when things like that come back.
“We’re nearly there.”
I glance over at Dean and instantly see the concern in his eyes. He worries too much. Way too much.
“I know,” I sigh then shrug my shoulders slightly. “I want to visit them but wish I could do it alone. I hate it when they try to make me the center of attention when I shouldn’t be.”
“I get that babe. It’s just one day though.”
“A day that makes me wish I could run away and hide.”
I feel his hand take mine. “I knew you would say that. You did last year too. That’s why I thought maybe it’s time to get away for a bit.”
I laugh. “Where are we going? Down to the lake or something?”
“No. I booked us a weekend at a cabin in the mountains.”
The shock I’m feeling is hard to explain. Why he would think I’d be alright with leaving is one thing, but to book us a trip, unaware of if I wanted to go is something else entirely.
“Dean, I don’t know if I can do that.”
“You can. We can. And we are. It’s a little cabin. It’s hidden in the woods. It has a hot tub and its own swimming hole out back. No one will find us. We’ll have the weekend completely to ourselves. You can chill and avoid all the attention heading your way.”
He has a point. I barely leave the farm unless I have to. Maybe a break is exactly what I need. Since that night two
years ago, I haven’t really had a chance to decompress and get my bearings. This could finally be my chance.
“When were you going to tell me about this trip?”
“I was waiting for my chance. If it didn’t pop up, I was just going to take you in your sleep.”
“When do we leave?”
“After we get home and pack. I booked it through Wednesday since I wasn’t sure how long you’d want to stay. I’ve already told your dad, so he’d know I wouldn’t be around to help on the farm.”
“Was he mad?”
“Nope. He said it would be great for you.”
That sounds like my dad. If he thinks it will help me, he won’t give two shits about having help on the farm. After what happened that night, he didn’t want to leave my side for the longest time. It was the entire reason he brought Dean on to help out. He watched me like a hawk. When I told him I wanted to start classes at the community college, he wasn’t thrilled. I was afraid he would follow me there and wait outside while I attended class. Luckily, he didn’t.
“You’re too good to me.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why you owe me.”
“Owe you?”
“Yep. You can unwind all you want, but you have to stay naked.” I slap his arm as he laughs out loud then pulls through the gate at the cemetery. “You ready for this?” he asks.
“No, but at least you’re here with me.”
I lean over in the truck seat and kiss his cheek gently. Before I can pull away, he turns his head and locks his lips with mine. We linger for a few moments, then slowly pull apart.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“And I love you,” he answers then puts the truck in park.
I stare out the window, seeing the others by the respective graves. I feel the hurt setting in, the shortness of breath, and the fear of knowing what and who is still out in the world. I can do this though. I know I can. I need to do it for them. Not the families. I’m doing this for Jess and Crystal.