Tethered Trust Read online

  Tethered Trust

  By

  Jade Royal

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Tethered Trust

  Prologue Chapter 1: Isabella

  Prologue Chapter 2: Isabella

  Chapter 1: Vanessa

  Chapter 2: Mistress X

  Chapter 3: Jamar

  Chapter 4: Vanessa

  Chapter 5: Jamar

  Chapter 6: Vanessa

  Chapter 7: Danielle

  Chapter 8: Vanessa

  Chapter 9: Jamar

  Chapter 10: Vanessa

  Chapter 11: Jamar

  Chapter 12: Vanessa

  Chapter 13: Jamar

  Trigger Warning

  Chapter 14: Danielle

  Chapter 15: Vanessa

  Chapter 16: Vanessa

  Chapter 17: Jamar

  Chapter 18: Vanessa

  Chapter 19: Jamar

  Chapter 20: Vanessa

  Chapter 21: Jamar

  Chapter 22: Vanessa

  Chapter 23: Jamar

  Chapter 24: Vanessa

  Chapter 25: Vanessa

  Chapter 26: Vanessa

  Chapter 27: Jamar

  Chapter 28: Vanessa

  Chapter 29: Vanessa

  Chapter 30: Danielle

  Chapter 31: Jamar

  Chapter 32: Vanessa

  Chapter 33: Vanessa

  Chapter 34: Jamar

  Chapter 35: Vanessa

  Chapter 36: Vanessa

  Chapter 37: Vanessa

  About the Author

  Also by Jade Royal

  Acknowledgments

  Tethered Trust

  Copyright © 2019 by Jade Royal.

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organiza- tions, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All trademarks and trade names are used in a fictitious manner and are in no way endorsed by or an endorsement by or an endorsement of their respective owners.

  Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive and offensive language and mature topics.

  Recommended for age 18 years and up.

  For information contact :

  Jade Royal

  http://www.authorjaderoyal.com

  Credits

  Editing: M.R. Wallace, Wing Family Editing, Personal Touch Editing

  Cover Design: T.E. Black Designs

  Photographer: CJC Photography

  Prologue Chapter 1: Isabella

  The nagging feeling that somebody was following us wouldn’t ease. We’d been relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona by the Witness Protection Program, but the demons seemed to be following us. The rental car that we were in was small and easy to dismiss, but I felt like everybody was watching. There were eyes staring at us in every direction. The teenager driving with a car full of her friends. The old woman that was so close to the steering wheel that it seemed to be sprouting from her body. The couple arguing in the car about god knows what. The man that seemed to be enjoying his drive alone. The biker that glanced over at me and winked. They were all working for him, and exposing our location for capture. He was coming, I could feel it.

  Detective Brown thought that a police escort was too risky, so he’d booked us a rental car under my alias. All three of us had new identities that we’d need to get used to. The names were so far from our real names that I knew we’d have to work at keeping them straight. Exhausting.

  I felt old and worn when, in reality, I was only eighteen. Violence, death, and despair did that to a person. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw my strength staring back at me. The little girl sleeping in the car seat behind me was every bit of motivation I needed to keep pushing forward to our destination. Her reflection was what I saw, what I needed.

  “Mija, are you okay?”

  I looked at my beautiful mother and hoped that she didn’t blame me for dragging her into this mess.

  I didn’t have proof, but I was sure that the bastard responsible for all of this had also murdered my father. I just couldn’t prove it. My father was the love of my mother’s life, and she hadn’t had time to properly grieve him. We’d been moved from one place to another to keep the goons off our trail. They were persistent, and I had to make the difficult decision to uproot us from California, leaving our lives behind us.

  “As fine as I can be, Mamá.” I glanced over at her and she feigned a smile that didn’t touch her eyes.

  In the sideview mirror, I saw a black car move behind us. Casually, I switched lanes, but he followed. Every time I changed it up, he was hot on my trail. I leaned closer to the steering wheel, gripping it tighter. Either I was making this up, or someone really was following me. Trepidation accelerated my heartrate, making it pound in my ears, and my hands became clammy. Why wouldn’t this nightmare end already? The exit sign indicating a rest stop for gas also promised a solution if I could execute it properly.

  I judged the speed of the cars around me and adjusted mine. When the exit came into sight, I sprang into action. I sped up and crossed over four lanes of traffic in an easy but swift glide. Gunning it as fast as I could. Without a warning, the other car couldn’t follow behind me with the cars blocking his moves.

  Mama gasped beside me, but I didn’t waver as I coasted off the exit and into a gas station parking lot. I pulled behind the building and waited, facing the exit. My heart pounded wildly as I waited in anticipation for someone to follow us. I waited thirty minutes before I turned the ignition off. The car remained silent, but the air was thick with fear until I opened the door and got out.

  I opened the back door and pulled out the duffle bag. We could only risk taking one bag with us, and it needed to have all the baby necessities in it. I dumped the contents on the seat and repacked it with what was inside the diaper bag. In the space that was left, I packed clothes that could be layered on top of what we currently wore. The only luxury items that I took were soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. What I left weren’t necessities, but our lives were.

  “Mija, what are you doing?” Mama asked. “We have to get to the safehouse.”

  “We’re not going,” I confessed.

  “What?” Mama’s eyes widened, and I wished that she hadn’t insisted that she come. She should be living life freely and without fear.

  “It’s not safe, and I don’t trust it. I need to get us to a place where we won’t have to look over our shoulders every minute of the day.”

  “What about our identities?” Mama seemed skeptical of the change in plans.

  “I’ll get us new ones.” I slipped our documents into the inside of my duffle bag. They could be useful in the future.

  When Mama turned away, I reached under the seat and took the stash of money from my other bag. I’d drained every bank account to make sure that we’d had an out in case anything transpired. I took a chance that could have jeopardized everything to make sure that we’d have a brighter future by going to the bank just before we left. But I’d had to. My gut told me that something like this was going to happen, and no chances could be taken.

  “Are you sure about this?” Mama asked.

  “No, but at this point I have to do something. At least things will be on our terms this way. I can’t just sit around waiting for just anything to happen. It doesn’t feel safe here, like someone has been watching our every move.”

  Honestly,
I was scared to no end, but I’d endured so much lately that I was willing to create my own light at the end of the tunnel. I couldn’t be a sitting duck in a safehouse for who knew how long.

  “I’m going to check out the front and see what I can find. Maybe I can find a nearby bus station.” I hoped.

  I zipped up the bag, checked to make sure that I hadn’t forgotten anything, then closed the door. I walked around to Mama’s side and opened her door just as she was wiping a tear away.

  “Mamá, I’m so sorry.” I leaned into the car and kissed her cheek before hugging her tight. I didn’t want this for her.

  Mama remained stiff in my arms. She’d been this way since we’d heard the news. My dad was stubborn and refused to go into hiding. He’d said that he’d wait for the relocation to go through, and then he’d go with us. He wasn’t about to “let some crazy fool” scare him into leaving his home. Now, it was just the three of us. Why hadn’t he listened? Mama begged him for days to stay with us. Now he was gone.

  “I’ll be right back.” I said as I stood. Hopefully, a plan would strike while I was getting Mama a Hershey bar. It was her favorite, and maybe it would make her feel better for a minute.

  HIS TRUCK HAD A LONG, covered bed in the back, and there were horses attached in a horse van. Watching the older man gave me a new purpose. My idea was crazy, but it just might work.

  “Are you just passing through?” the clerk asked.

  “Yes, ma’am. My horse did a fiiiiiiine job at the show this year. I’ll have to bring ‘er back next autumn. She’s a beautiful girl. Did right by me.” The man stuck his chest out proudly.

  The woman leaned toward the window to get a better look. I don’t know how she thought she’d see the horse when the truck was parked off to the side. You could see the end of the van, though.

  “Looks like you have more than one horse in there,” the clerk said.

  “Yelp, picked up a pretty little filly while I was there. She’s going to be mighty fiiiiiine, too. High spirited. Love them like that. With a lil’ tuning, she’ll be quite the contestant in some local shows next year.”

  “Seems like you enjoy your horses.” The clerk finished ringing up the man’s snacks and ice.

  “Not just horses. I have a farm back in Ohio. All kinds of animals. I take care of them all.” The man handed the clerk some cash, and she began tapping on the cash register.

  “And how does your wife feel about all those animals?”

  “She used to love ’em just as much as I do. Now, all she can do is watch from above.” He smiled as he said it. Was he happy that she was gone? “Can’t wait to join her. It’s not my time, though. One day, we’ll be together again.”

  “That’s so sweet,” the clerk said.

  “I loved my Betty. Still do.” He took his change and receipt from her outstretched hand.

  “You got enough snacks?” the clerk asked. “Ohio is a long drive from here.”

  “I reckon I do. I’m going to head right next door and get some of that roast they’re advertising ‘bout,” he said.

  I looked out to see the diner sitting next door. I was so focused on it that I missed the rest of the conversation. I jumped in line and paid for the candy bar and a burner phone. The truck was gone when I walked outside, but I saw him pulling into the back of the diner because none of the spots could accommodate his truck and trailer. I smiled for the first time in a while. This would work.

  I WALKED INTO THE DINER and ordered a meatloaf sandwich and the roast with mash potatoes to go. I pulled my hat down low to hide as much of my face as possible while I waited. My hair was stuffed up top and underneath to make me less noticeable. I’d cut it to chin length months ago, since it was a signature trademark of mine. Long curly hair. I watched the truck driver out of the corner of my eye the entire time. He was nursing a cup of coffee while he waited for his food.

  “Darlene, can you add a slice of pecan pie to my order. I think it’ll taste miiiiighty fiiiiiine with this good coffee,” he said.

  “Sure thing, sweetie. I’ll bring it whenever you’re ready,” the waitress said. She patted his shoulder and he smiled. He reminded me of Sean Connery. He had that natural sweetness to him that made you love him without ever trying to, but also intense. Though he was country, you could tell that he was worldly. He fit in too nicely with the locals instead of standing out like the tourist. Traveling just seemed like his thing.

  “Here ya go, girlie.” I turned to see the waitress giving me a paper bag.

  “Can I have a large coffee and a large hot cocoa?” I asked, hoping that she wouldn’t get irritated with the late request.

  “Whip cream on that, suga?” Her smile was infectious.

  “No, ma’am.” I smiled.

  “Tell you what, you look like you would enjoy some cherry pie. I’ll give you a slice to go with that hot cocoa.” She disappeared before I could object.

  I did love cherry pie, so she’d get no push back from me. She brought the items back and I held out a ten-dollar bill that she waved off.

  “The men come in and drink pots of coffee all the time. Enjoy this on me.” She winked and walked away, leaving me no choice but to take it all without paying. That sure was nice of her.

  I hurried around to the back and climbed into the bed of the truck where Mama and the baby were already nestled in. I’d put them close to the tail gate so that the man wouldn’t hear so easily if the baby began to cry. Maybe it was wrong to catch a ride from him this way, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

  “We need to eat now before he comes out. I don’t want to make any noise if we can help it once he’s back into the cab.”

  “Are you sure this is going to work, Isabella?” Mama asked.

  I shook my head slowly. I knew she couldn’t see me, but the pain still stung the back of my eyes. I protested silently, and hoped that she couldn’t detect it in my words.

  “Isabella is dead.” I bit into my sandwich, and then sipped my hot cocoa. As the heat burned its way down into my body, I buried Isabella deep down in the dirt. Six feet under.

  Prologue Chapter 2: Isabella

  We’d been traveling for three long days. Ohio had to be on the other side of the world for as long as it was taking. He drove for eight-hour shifts, and then he stayed at a motel for the night. At five AM, he’d come out to the horses and tend to them before he started his day. He always stayed at motels that had diners nearby. I was curious about his route. Wondered how he knew where to stop. Maybe he had a map. Either way, it worked in my favor.

  During the day when he drove, he’d stop by places to feed the horses. You could hear the love that he had by the way he talked to them. He seemed gentle, and I enjoyed listening to his conversations with the horses. At first, it felt intrusive, but it gave me something to look forward to. It gave me insight into his personality. If I was right, he was gentle and kind. Good spirited.

  At night, we ate when he was locked away in his room. It allowed us to stretch and get fresh air. We’d sneak over to the different diners before they closed and fill our bellies. I’d become a pro at getting us into and out of the back of the truck in record time. It was essential so that nobody because suspicious and called the cops on us. Then we slept during the day.

  “I think she’s becoming restless.” Mama said.

  The truck driver was listening to his evening dose of country, so I scooted slowly toward the back of the cab to take Princess from Mama. I used the light from the cell phone I’d purchased to look down at her. She smiled up at me and touched my face. I kissed her hands and began rocking her.

  “You’re an angel, you know that?” I whispered. She whined a bit, and I hushed her as I rocked her. “So beautiful. I think we should name you Angelica. What do you think, little one?” I wiped the tear that rolled down my cheek. “I think it’s almost as beautiful as you, precious girl.”

  “And what about you, mi hija?” Mama asked.

  “I’ve been thinking a
bout that. I’ve always loved the name Vanessa.”

  “Then it shall be.”

  Angelica began crying and I rocked her, but she didn’t quiet. “Mamá, let me see her binky.” I heard Mama searching around for it. I continued rocking Angelica, but she only continued to fuss. “Mamá...” I whispered loudly.

  “I know. I don’t...” She shuffled around, and I groaned. This wasn’t looking good.

  “Where’s her bottle? Anything, something.” I was beginning to panic.

  “The bottle should have been next to you,” she said.

  I searched, but came up short as well. Crap!

  The country music quieted from up front and I knew we were busted. I covered Angelica’s mouth and rocked her some more, but she only cried louder. I knew we were in deep crap when I felt the truck slow and pull over.

  “Mamá, pack up the bag. We’re going to have to make a run for it.”

  I heard shuffling as she put everything back into the bag. I handed her the baby and waited for the moment of truth. I was ready to sacrifice myself for their safety. Mama was trying to argue it, but I shushed her as his foot falls grew closer. I pushed her backward and out of sight unless he chose to take off the tonneau.

  “Whoever you are, come on out.” The tailgate opened, and he stepped back. “Show yourself.”

  I sighed and slid out of the bed slowly. He was standing locked and ready to shoot. Shakily, I lifted my hands in surrender. Maybe this wasn’t such a clever idea.

  “What were you doing in the back of my truck?” he asked.

  “I—I was trying to get a lift,” I said honestly.

  “How long have you been back there?”

  “A couple of days.”

  “Where...” He was interrupted by the cries of Angelica. “Shit, you’ve got a baby back there, too?”

  I sighed. This was only growing worse. “I didn’t mean any harm. I just needed to get...”

  “Who’s that moving about?” He shouted.

  Mama scooted out of the truck and held on tightly to Angelica. “We’ll just be heading on our way,” she said.