Page 9 of Unbroken Embrace

Rose shuffled the deck of cards, glancing up at Nathaniel, whose gaze was lost to the ceiling.

"I'm bored," he muttered, putting a card down with a flick of his wrist. "I want to go back to our last house. I had friends there.”

“We knew that would be temporary. Remember? We talked about needing to move around a bit.”

“But I don’t want to.” The whine in his voice grated and Rose hated herself for not being able to do this better. She should be able to explain this better to Nathaniel. Comfort him. Distract him. But she had no answers. No perfect or helpful instincts.

Her heart clenched. "I know, sweetheart," Rose whispered, her hand reaching out to brush his. "We have to keep moving to stay safe. We'll make new friends, I promise."

Nathaniel scowled, tossing another card to the pile. "It's not fair."

"No, it's not," Rose agreed, feeling the sting of tears. "But it's going to be okay."

“I hate this. I want to go back.”

“We can’t. You remember how hard it was back at the big apartment, right? The kids all squished in. The way we had tohide and be afraid. We’re trying to get away from all of that. But first I had to tell our story. To try to stop the bad people.”

“But you did that. Why do we still have to go?”

“Things are still being worked out. I may have to still do some things.”

“Then you go. Let me stay with my friends.”

Needing a moment, Rose stood and slipped out of the room. As soon as she was alone, tears slipped down her cheeks. Mick's voice startled her as he appeared at her side. "Hey, what's wrong?"

She wiped her face, trying to regain composure. "He's just a kid, Mick. He shouldn't have to live like this."

Mick put a hand on her shoulder. "Kids are tougher than we give them credit for. He'll be fine once you two have a place to call your own."

"But where, Mick?" Rose's voice cracked. "We have no family. It doesn’t feel like anywhere we go will be safe. So what? We’ll just have to keep moving? He needs to have classmates and friends. He needs a normal life.”

Before Mick could respond, a cacophony from outside interrupted them. A horn blared, tires screeched, and then a crashing sound. Mick immediately reached for his gun.

"Get Nathaniel. Get down,” he ordered, moving toward the sound.

Rose didn't hesitate. She rushed back to Nathaniel, yanking him away from the window. "Down!" she commanded, covering his body with hers on the floor.

"What's happening, Mom?" Nathaniel's voice was muffled against her chest. This was the problem. This was the edge they’d be living on. She felt her son’s body quiver and hated herself all over again.

"Shh. It's going to be okay," she soothed, her eyes on the door, waiting for Mick's signal.

Finally, Mick's voice came, steady and clear. "All clear," he said, stepping back into view, gun now holstered. "False alarm."

Rose helped Nathaniel to his feet, her gaze meeting Mick's. "We can’t keep going like this. Nathaniel needs something more. Something better. Even if it’s not with m?—”

Mick cut her off before she could finish that thought. His eyes were hard as stone. "We'll figure it out," he said with determined calm. "For both of you."

Rose held Nathaniel close, her mind racing. "We can't keep running forever."

"I’m going to make a call. I think it’s time to make a change. A more permanent one.”

Forcing the tears away, she drew in a centering breath. “Hear that Nathaniel, we’re going to find somewhere we can stay for good.”

CHAPTER 9

With a book tucked under his arm and a large coffee steaming in his hand, Harry strolled down the street. He was trying to look unbothered by life but he was actually keeping watch. And his instincts were right. It didn’t take long before he had some company. Unwelcome company.

The man's anger was palpable, his eyes narrowed into slits as he spotted Harry walking down the street, the air around him charged with hostility.