“This conversation is getting us nowhere. I am telling you that I am leaving,” she says, exasperated.
“We aren’t leaving here, Alana,” I correct her, staring her down just as hard as she’s glaring at me.
She shuts her eyes tight and pinches the bridge of her nose. “You don’t seem to be understanding-” when she reopens her eyes, her gray irises burn into me. “-I don’t give the first fuck about whatyoudo. You can rot in this place for all I care. ButI’mnot staying here. You’regoingto get me a one-way ticket out of this shithole, and this is the only time I’m going to ask nicely.”
She considers that being nice? I let out an exasperated sigh, knowing what I say next may start a battle I don’t have the energy for at this moment.
“I’m not letting you go anywhere,” I tell her calmly, and I can almost see steam rising off of her. “As long as I keep you here, Megan andmybaby are safe. I refuse to let you put them in danger.”
“Your baby?” she snickers and then sneers at me in disgust. “You have no clue if this is your baby or not, but one thing for sure is I’m the one pregnant, and I don’t, I won’t stay here!”
By the end of her sentence, she’s yelling, and Megan’s voice at this level is soul-rattling. It looks like she may throw a punch at any moment, and if she gets aggressive, I’m going to have to resort to my backup plan. I didn’t think I’d have to use this method, but I will if I absolutely have to.
“You’re not going anywhere, Alana,” I tell her, deepening my voice. “I’m not giving you the power to vanish, never to be heard from again. You’re reckless and wild, and I’m not letting you put Megan in danger.”
I see her jaws clenching as she processes my words before she bites out, “Fine. But whatever happens after this is because of you!”
With that, she spins on her heels and stomps off to somewhere in the house. A door slams so hard it rattles the hanging wine glasses above the sink. I’m surprised I don’t hear the door crack or the frame splinter.
When she’s gone, I let out a breath and stagger backward, catching myself on the table behind me. I didn’t know I was even holding a breath. Alana’s going to be a much bigger problem than I thought. But I know Megan’s in there somewhere, and I will get her back.
Whatever it takes.
Veronica got in the way last time, and she ended up in Tennessee. Alana, from the crap I’ve found out about her, she could go anywhere or, like she said, end up at Ian’s, and I’d probably never see my baby or Megan again. I can’t let that happen.
I have to withstand this storm to get Megan back, and I will...as long as it takes.