Runaways by Nicole Dykes
Loraine’s house is beautiful, large, and appears to be newly custom-built. Rae, Hayden and I took a bus to a nearby bus stop and walked the rest of the way, not wanting to waste money on a taxi. We’re also carrying bags full of our stuff. We couldn’t trust they’d be there when we get back if we left them behind.
So, that’s not awkward at all. But oh, well.
“Let’s go.” Rae takes my hand, clearly excited. I, however, am nervous as we walk up to the house. I don’t get how she can trust anyone at this point. We haven’t had the best luck, but she says she has a good feeling.
“Might want to drop the hand-holding,” Hayden says with a smirk, and I roll my eyes, having forgot that these people think Rae is my sister.
Our hands drop away from each other. “Yeah, thanks for that. Did you really have to tell her I’m her brother?”
Hayden snickers. “I’m sorry, it just came out. And you guys have to get used to that if you’re going to get jobs out in the real world. According to your birth certificates, you’re related.”
“Yeah, thanks for that too, buddy.”
He laughs, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I told you, that was not my doing. I just paid the guy and told him what you needed.”
Rae smiles at him because, I swear, Hayden can do no wrong. She rings the doorbell, bouncing on her feet from anticipation and probably the chill in the air.
The woman we met earlier answers the door, dressed in a fancy blouse and black pants with tons of jewelry. We get it, you’re rich. “You’re all here!” She sounds so happy, but I don’t trust her.
“Yeah, someone wouldn’t let it go,” I say in Rae’s direction.
“Well, I’m glad. Come on in.” She moves out of the doorway, and noticing our bags, she smiles. “You can sit those by the door if you’d like.” We all do so cautiously, and then she waves us along. “This way.”
She closes the door behind us and then leads us into a dining room with a table bigger than the living room at my old house. We all look around, I’m sure, with our eyes bulging as she directs us to sit.
I take a seat between Hayden and Rae and Loraine moves to one end of the table, also taking a seat. “My husband will be here soon. He works so hard.”
“What does he do?” Rae asks, genuine curiosity in her pretty eyes.
“He runs a private security firm.” My eyes widen, as do Rae’s.
“That’s nice,” Rae barely squeaks. What if this guy was hired to hunt us down? Motherfucker, I knew we shouldn’t have come here.
A woman comes into the room, placing full plates in front of us as Loraine unfolds a napkin and places it in her lap. “He should retire. His business has been successful, and I miss him,” she pouts. “But he cares.”
“Does he guard celebrities?” Rae is fishing for more information.
“Some, yeah. And people who just plain need extra protection. Like women who have stalkers and need help. That’s how we met.”
“You had a stalker?” Hayden asks, his eyes shining with wonder that’s nearly comical.
Her mouth tightens into a thin line, and she nods, clearly uncomfortable. “Yeah. I did. But that’s in the past.”
“Wow. That’s fascinating.” I think Hayden is being serious. But honestly, I can’t concentrate with the smell of the chicken and pasta wafting toward my nose, making my stomach growl.
“Dig in, he’ll be here soon enough. I don’t want your food to get cold.”
She seems so earnest, but I don’t trust her. I don’t want to let my guard down and mess everything up again. Still, we aren’t stupid. If there’s a home-cooked meal in front of us, we’re going to eat it. We dig in, and soon we’re joined by a massive man who has to be ex-military. His stance alone is intimidating.
“You’re home!” Loraine hops up and wraps her arms around the man who hugs her back and kisses her firmly on the mouth before turning to look at us.
“So, these are the kids you adopted?”
Loraine rolls her eyes and slaps his chest. “I told you about them. This is the artist, Jack.” She points at me, and I still can’t get used to that name, and then she goes on, “His sister, Rose.” I cringe and hope it’s not visible, but then she motions toward Hayden, who got to keep his name. “And Hayden.”
“Nice to meet you all,” his voice booms, a commanding presence. “I’m Andrew Malcom. It’s nice to meet you all.” He takes a seat. “Loraine is quite obsessed with your work, Jack.”
I nod my head and look over at Loraine as she takes a seat. “Yeah. I’m not really sure why.”
He chuckles at that, and we all go into a sort of awkward silence before we finish our meal. Rae, Hayden, and I finish long before the Malcolms do.
“So, what is it you want from us?” I have to ask.
“L—” Rae quickly corrects herself, “Jack. Don’t be rude.”
Loraine easily laughs it off. “It’s okay. I understand being curious.” She places her napkin in her lap and stands. “How about I show you instead?”
Here we go. Here comes the twist where we have to run for our lives.
I brace myself as she leads us through the large house and into the living room area. “We had our house built a few years ago, exactly how we wanted it.” I look around at the huge room, that has a fireplace and a large sectional, but not much else.
“Okay.”
She smiles at me, zoning in and walking closer. “And it’s perfect, except for one damn thing.” Andrew grins as he shakes his head at his wife as she gestures widely around. “It’s so damn boring. The walls are so white I want to scream.”
“You want me to paint your house?” I ask, confused.
She laughs and shakes her head. “Well, not the whole house.” She walks over to the largest wall in the room that’s so white, it’s nearly blinding. “I’ve been searching for an artist to design a mural for this wall. It feels like I’ve been looking forever.”
Rae stares at her in awe. “You want his art on your wall?”
Loraine nods emphatically. “Yes. Of course. And I’ll pay top dollar for it.”
“How much?” I ask, my voice still gruff and untrusting because this is too good to be true.
She looks over at her husband and then to me. “Two?”
“Two hundred?” I’m in shock. I’m pretty sure this is shock.
“Goodness, no. Two thousand.” My jaw is touching the ground, I’m sure. But if she notices, she doesn’t say. She turns toward Rae and Hayden. “And as his assistants, how about five hundred each?”
Rae’s lips part like she’s about to say something, but then her mouth closes. “Five hundred? You’re going to pay three thousand dollars for one wall?”
“Well, it’s a large wall.” Loraine offers a kind smile. “I imagine it will be at least a week’s worth of work.” She looks over at her husband again, who only encourages her to go on. She looks back at me. “And during that time, you all can stay here.”
“Here?” Rae asks, her eyes widening, and I see the hope in them. My heart aches at seeing that glimmer in her eyes. She wants this.
“Yes. We have a few guest rooms. And it seems only fair while you’re working for me. I know artists like to work when they’re in the mood to do so.”
I study her, trying to decide if she’s for real but also seeing the giddy look Hayden and Rae are exchanging right now. I know I can’t say no even if it does end up being a huge mistake. The odds of Colin knowing a Kansas City couple here are slim to none. This isn’t a setup, it’s just some odd twist of fate.
“Okay,” I agree, and Rae squeals happily, wrapping her arms around my neck in a hug.
I don’t hold her as long as I want to, and she drops her arms quickly. But I smile, a real, honest-to-goodness smile at the thought of putting money in our pockets and a roof over our heads.
Even if it’s only temporary and the weirdest circumstances possible.
