Redeem Me (Kin #6)(31)
Author: Jennifer Foor

Since most of my clothes were at the dorm, I knew I could get away without having a bag strapped to my back. While still listening to them having a discussion, I crept out my door, making sure it was locked, as if I wanted to be alone. I was getting out of my house, and calling Parker. My parents were not ruining my life.

I froze in place when Miss Mary spotted me sneaking down the stairs. She held her finger up to her lips, motioning me with her other hand to follow her. This particular woman had pretty much always taken care of me. As far as love, she’d always given it. I trusted her, and knew she’d keep me safe. Once we were in the confines of her quarters, and the door was shut, she pulled me into a hug. “Oh, my dear. What have you gotten yourself into?”

I began to cry again. “I’m pregnant and they want me to have an abortion. They’re holding me here like a prisoner. Please help me. I need to get to Parker. He loves me, Mary. He’ll take care of me. I swear he will.”

She nodded. “Parker seems like a nice boy. Here’s my phone. Call him and arrange to have him pick you up next door at the Savage’s house. I’ll call Metra (who is the maid) and have her let you in. Mr. and Mrs. Savage are away for the week, so you won’t be discovered. The house is far enough away that they won’t see you once you’re there. I’m about to go make breakfast. I’ll keep your parents occupied long enough for you to leave out the side door, and make your way over there.”

I hugged her tightly. “Thank you so much, Mary. I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Cameron. I just want you to be happy. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”

I waited for her to walk out before calling Parker. My hands were shaking as I dialed his number, even though I knew he’d come to see me, and been turned away.

“Hello?”

“Parker, it’s me. How far away are you?” I began crying just from hearing his voice. I knew he’d come to save me, and it gave me a sense of warmth and security.

“I’m not far. Did your parents leave?”

“No. I heard my dad saying he’s staying here all day. They’re talking about taking me to have an abortion.” My sobbing intensified. “Parker, I don’t want to give up our baby. I can understand if you don’t want this, but I can’t do it. This baby is alive inside of me, and I already love it. I know that doesn’t make sense, but -.”

“I know, Cam. I know what you mean, because I feel it too. I’m turnin’ the car around now.”

“Wait. I need you to go to my neighbor’s house; the one with the big white pillars. Pull up to their gate and the housekeeper will let you in. She’ll be expecting you. I’ll come outside once I see you pulling up.”

“Are you there now?”

“No.” I’d already started heading toward the side entrance. I checked my surroundings before beginning to walk towards the neighbor’s house, which was a good ways in the distance. “I’m on my way.”

“Are you sneaking out?” I could hear the concern in his voice.

“Yes. I’ve got to get away from them. You need to get me to the dorm so I can pack my things. Then I don’t know where we’ll go. I’ve got my ATM card with me, so we can stop and get as much money out as possible before they realize I’m gone. I’m sure they’ll cancel all of my cards when they discover what I’ve done.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll keep you safe, no matter what we have to do. I’m on my way, babe. You hang tight, and I’ll be there.”

“I love you, Parker. I love you so much.”

“Cam, I love you too. Stop cryin’. It’s all goin’ to be okay. I promise.”

I trusted his word, especially because I knew he did truly love me. Parker may have been confused, but he was supporting me. For the time being it was all I could ask for.

Chapter 21

Parker

I was almost back at the college when I received the call from Cameron. She sounded so upset, and my heart ached for what she was having to go through. What parent in their right mind would treat her like a piece of property. She wasn’t some toy they could throw around.

I drove as fast as I could to get to her, afraid that they’d find out she was gone before I arrived. Every minute that passed left me more concerned. I wasn’t afraid of facing her father, but I was scared about what I’d do to the man if we came face to face.

He was clearly delusional if he assumed I’d walked away from his daughter without a fight.

I knew the house that Cameron had told me to pick her up at, it was even larger than the one her parents owned. After getting through the gates I spotted her standing outside. Her hair was disheveled, and it appeared that she was still in her pajamas. That made it apparent that she’d left the house in a hurry.

I jumped out of the car as soon as I put it into park. Cameron very well could have climbed inside the passenger seat and greeted me, but I needed my arms around her.

As soon as I had her there in my hold I felt that petite body trembling. She was a complete mess. “It’s goin’ to be okay, Cam. I won’t let them touch you.”

She pulled away, her nose dripping snot, while her cheeks were covered in fresh tears. “Where are we supposed to go, Parker? They’ll look everywhere until they find me. My dad has resources.”

I knew exactly where we could go to hide out, I just needed to make sure it was going to be okay. “Don’t worry about that, right now. Let’s just get out of here and get your things from the school. Once we’re on the road we can talk about what’s next.”

Even I was shaking as I climbed back into the driver’s side. We took off down the paved driveway, headed for the first ATM machine we came to. Cameron hopped out and withdrew four hundred dollars, the full amount allowed from a machine in a single day. Then she did the same on both credit cards. With more than a grand in her possession, we then went to the dorm, where she packed up her clothes in trash bags and loaded them into my car. We knew they’d be looking for hers first.

Cameron left her keys locked in the glove compartment of her vehicle. She didn’t even speak as we pulled away, leaving both of our futures in limbo. For a while she cried, feeling overwhelmed with fear of what she’d done. I couldn’t blame her for feeling so confused. She been raised a certain way, and was now coming to terms with the fact that maybe it wasn’t practical.