Tears blurred my vision.

“Not the whole time. I suspected. Then I knew. But I couldn’t say it. I couldn’t let him near you. I changed our names. I moved twice. I built everything around keeping you safe.”

The front door handle rattled.

My father looked up sharply.

“I came here tonight because Rachel escaped two days ago,” he said.

“She made it to a shelter in Ohio. They called me after she gave my name. I knew the police would start asking questions. I knew he’d panic.”

“He?” I asked.

He nodded toward the door.

“Daniel Harper kept records. He filmed things. Collected insurance payouts, blackmail, money. He did the dirty work, but he never trusted me. If Rachel resurfaced, he’d come for both of us.”

As if summoned, a gunshot blasted through the front window.

Glass exploded inward.

My mother screamed.

Rachel dropped to the floor.