someone else, pretty boy.” Then, he jumped down and walked towards me.
Standing uncomfortably close, his eyes scanned my body before they settled in a
penetrating gaze on my breasts. “Do you want assistance getting into the truck?
I'm sure I could help you,” he leered.
Quickly hiking myself into the box, I replied, “All good here. No help
needed.”
Shutting the tailgate, he quipped, “Pity. Maybe another time.”
Eliza glowered at him as she entered the cab, but she didn’t add to the
conversation.
My eyes met Cole's, and he winked. I smiled supportively at him before
taking a seat near my father. Cedric started the truck and revved the engine. With
a maniacal cackle, he peeled out and knocked me down onto my father, who
groaned in pain.
“I'm sorry.” I gently touched my father's bruised face. Turning towards
Gram, I whispered, “Do you have anything to help him with the pain?”
“Untie him,” Gram directed and searched the lining of her jacket. She slid a
miniature glass jar with a blue gel into my hand. “Rub this on his cuts. Elliott, it
will sting, but you'll feel better.”
Loosening the ties on his wrists, I coated his wounds with the icy gel. My father winced, drawing back slightly from each touch, increasing my concern. Be
strong, Mara, I reminded myself. I apologized as I continued to lightly rub the ointment on his broken skin. “I'm sorry this happened.”
“It's ok, Caterpillar. It's just a few scratches." My father held out his roped hands. “Can you untie me, so Drygen won't get to throw me out of the truck when we reach our destination? He would enjoy that too much.”
With my father untied, I took notice of our location. Cedric was taking every opportunity to make the ride as uncomfortable as possible for us. Hitting large bumps and erratically swerving, we were tossed around. I was knocked back into
Gram, causing her to groan in pain.
"I'm sorry," I apologized.
"That maniac is going to get us killed," she growled.
Tears filled my eyes when I saw how much pain Eliza had actually inflicted
upon her own mother. No time for tears, Mara. It’s time to take care of Gram.
"Here, let me fix you up a bit." I rubbed the gel over the cuts on her cheeks. I flinched when she hissed in pain.
Once I finished, she took my hand and held it. “Eliza will not honor her promise."
“I know, Gram.” I hugged her gently. “Don't worry about that right now. I have a plan.”
“How could I worry with you in charge?” My grandmother sighed and
released some of the tension I felt in her body. “I know things will turn out as they should.” Gram pulled out of my hug and held my hand.
We rode in silence for several minutes before Miles scooted out of Cole's
arms and kneeled in front of us. “Grandmother Mae, are you ok?" he asked nervously.
“I'm just fine, Miles. Silvers are not weak." She held out her hand to the small boy. "Come, sit with me."
Miles hesitantly accepted her hand.
I watched as his fear and uncertainty washed away.
He nestled into Gram's lap, and she wrapped him in a big hug. When she
kissed him lightly on the cheek, his body stiffened. It was as if he worried about
