Tonight is the night we die

Chapter Fourty-Two

One month later

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Jake's POV

"You think your family is in danger?"

"Yes!"

"And you want to protect them?"

"Yes!"

"So, you want to show up at their door after... What? 11 Years?"

"Yes!"

"Jake, are you sure this is your best option?"

"No!"

Past caught up with me. Again. The danger was never far, but I thought that with so many years separating me from my family, they would be safe from that danger. I was wrong. I hated being wrong. The origin of my run pierced that magnificent surface I've been busy building these last couple of years. In my mind, it was impenetrable; it was indestructible. It was, in fact, immensely fragile. Ignoring that fragility convinced me it was under control.

I played with my silver engagement ring as Gloria paced back and forth in our living room. I proposed to her one month ago. A whole month where life was normal. We talked about normal stuff, lived, and acted like normal people. Did I manage to fool myself into thinking I was normal? I did, yes. We pictured our perfect day like our love story couldn't take a dark turn at any minute. Just plain ordinary things. When the most obvious thing was right before our eyes, a normal wedding was impossible. Of course, I could not have my name on any official paper. I didn't want to use a fake name. So we would be married, but not officially. However, it was enough for Gloria. And so it was sufficient for me.

She sat on the couch next to me.

"You do realize this is what they want? They want you to come out of wherever you're hiding so they can finally get you. They know your family is where to hit. You showing up at their house is your pursuers' plan. Not yours. Are you aware of that? Because I'm starting to think you hit your head so hard that you forgot your entire life and what even brought us together in the first place,"

"I am very much aware of that,"

"Ok, good. So tell me, why exactly you want to follow their plan? I mean, might as well call them and invite them for dinner," she shrugged "they might enjoy a slice or two of my delicious apple pie before putting a bullet in your head. I always dreamed of being a widow before even being married. A little girl's dream!" Gloria scoffed, stood, and left the room.

I heard her quick footsteps coming back seconds later.

"Actually, I won't be a widow because I'll be dead too! Whatever stupid plans you're preparing, you better include me!"

"No!"

"Oh, excuse me, I missed the part where I asked. It wasn't a question!"

"I am not pulling you into that mess, Gloria!"

"You should have thought about that before putting that ring around my fucking finger, Jake! Play the game on your own, and I swear I'll make you swallow that ring and choke on it!" she yelled at me before storming out of the room again, not coming back this time.

I rolled my eyes. My head fell against the couch pillow, and I hid my face behind my palms. My plan was stupid. In fact, I did not have any plans. That was the hard truth. A pill I couldn't swallow. I wanted to protect my family, but how? I already grieved my family once. Should I risk this new family I had just started to build? And they mourned their son. I was scared of how they would react. How would amother respond to seeing her dead son alive and well on her doorstep? My link to the Donfort was a well-kept secret. So at least, I knew Hannah and Lilly were safe. But my mother, my brother, and their safety were at risk. I learned that my dad had passed away a year ago. It hurt-more than I expected. I barely remembered him, how his voice sounded like, what nasally aggressive perfume he used to wear, or any habits he could have had. I wanted things to be different for my mother and brother. I wanted to see them again and have more than my shitty blurry memories, which escaped me a bit more every day.