Wanting Mr. Barkley (Book 2)

Chapter Eighteen . . . It's Hard to Say Good-Bye

Chapter Eighteen . . . It's Hard to Say Good-Bye

Karen's POV

I had tears in my eyes as I packed Garrett's bags, but I couldn't take it anymore and instead sat on the bed and threw my head in my hands.

Dylan came to the house with Garrett and we discussed a plan. Dylan decided that with the dead rat in the box along with a threatening note proved to him that the situation was getting serious.
The best situation was to get Garrett out of town with Derek's mom and Dean.

"It's for the best you know." I looked up with tears in my eyes to see Derek staring at me sadly.

"I know, but this is all my fault."

He sighed and walked over to the bed and wrapped his arms around me. "It's not."

"I left home, I got pregnant, and I ran away from that bastard."

"And you did it to protect yourself and your family. That doesn't make the situation your fault."

I rubbed my fingers on my sons clothes and closed my eyes.

"I don't want to lose him."

"You won't. I promise you he will be alright. And so will you." I looked up at him and saw worry in his eyes. "I want you to go with him."

"What?" I asked confused.

"If you stay here you're going to get hurt."

"Yeah, but if I go he won't get caught."

"We can get you a double." I rolled my eyes and stood up.

"Derek, this is Pennsylvania unless you are going to put a wig on you're not going to get a double."

I packed the last piece of clothing into the bag and zipped it up, and sighed.

"So, are we just going to sit here and wait for him?" I asked Derek who shrugged.

"We don't know where he is, but Dylan has his men on him."

"Like that's suppose to be helpful. Max pays off cops or kills them."

I felt a pair of hands on my shoulder, rubbing them soothingly.

"I will do everything to protect you."

"What if you can't, or what if you get hurt in the process."

He sighed before spinning me around.
"How many times are we going to have this conversation? Nothing is going to happen to us."

"Why are you so sure?" I faught the urge to yell.

"Because I just know." He buried his head in the crook of my neck and breathed in.

I sighed and wrapped my arms around him.

"How do we end this quickly?" I asked him.

He pulled back and touched my cheek.
"I don't know."

That's when an idea came to my mind, the idea that Derek would say no to, but it was worth a shot.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked.

I took myself out of his arms and marched my way to Dylan where he was sitting at the kitchen table playing a card game with Garrett.

"What's up?" He asked.

"I want to be bait."

Dylan blinked at me a couple of times before straightening up in his chair.
"Garrett, why don't you go grab your bags?"
Garrett let out a breath, slammed down his cards, and marched his legs out of the kitchen.

"You want to be bait?" He asked slowly.

"No way, no fucking way." Derek argued, but we ignored him.

"Yes, it's the fastest way to get this over with and I'm willing to do it so my son can come back home."

"I agree, but how do we draw the guy out?" He asked.

"Hello are you not listening to me?!" Derek yelled.

"He's watching us. He's watching me right this second, and every move I make, he sees. So, I want you guys to go away."

"Go away?" Dylan asked.

"Yes, the farther away you are the more likely he's willing to strike."

"Are you people listening to yourselves?!" I turned to Derek who was fuming.

"Derek," I paused and smiled sadly at him, "Shut up."

His mouth dropped as I turned to Dylan.
"So, what do you say?"

I watched as he tapped his foot.
"Deal."

"NO! Absolutely not! Dylan, what if this was Riley?"

Dylan froze at Riley's name, and I knew Derek hit a nerve.

"It's not Riley, Dylan, it's me. You're always right sister-like friend." I tried to push his thought of Riley beside, but I couldn't tell if it was working or not.

"Derek, I know you're worried about Karen, and so am I." I sighed and wanted to slap the both of them, "But she's right. If we don't bait him in he's not going to strike."

I felt like doing the happy dance, until the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Derek mumbled.

"He's pissed." Dylan said after he left.

"I know, but this is something we have to do."

"I agree, but if you get hurt. I'm not covering for you." I nodded.

"That's fine, but we got to do it."

"Do what?"

I turned and stared at the young looking Mrs. Barkley along with Derek and Dean.
"Karen, is just putting her life in danger." Derek spat.

Mrs. Barkley rolled her eyes.

"You boys can never have normal relationships, can you?' She turned to me, "No offense dear."

"None taken."

Garrett came into the room looking sad, and I knealt down to his eye level.

"Mom, do I have to go?" He whined.

"Yes, it's going to be a little vacation, you're even going to go to an amusement park." I tried to excite him but his excitement was as high as mine.

"What's going on?" He asked.

I haven't told him the truth because he didn't need the stress.

"Nothing, you deserve a vacation." I said with a smile.

"Are you and Derek going to get married while I'm gone?" He asked making me laugh.

I wish.

"No baby, we're not getting married. I promise."

He nodded before wrapping his arms around me tight.

"I love you mom." I felt the tightness in my chest and closed my eyes tight.

"I love you too baby. I'll be waiting for you when you get back." I promised with a smile.

"You ready to go?" Dean asked as we pulled apart.

"Yes."

I stood up and with teary eyes I let my son go.

"Take care of him, Dean."

He gave me a small smile and nodded.

"Goodbye mom."

"Bye Garrett."