“Jessa, what the hell?” Faith stood in the bathroom doorway with her hands over her mouth. Terrified, confused. Her expression suggested she was a few seconds away from calling for help.

That couldn’t happen. Jessa could almost hear the clock ticking as her time ran out. “I can’t be here. It’s not safe for you.”

“I’m fine.” Faith motioned for Jessa to come out of the bathroom. “Let’s sit down and talk.”

“I need a new phone.”

“Do you want mine?”

She’d already put Faith in danger. That had never hit Jessa until right now. Taking her phone would only compound the problem. “No, I can buy one.”

“Wait.” Faith disappeared for a few seconds.

Jessa used the time to grab her bag and a few things she needed. “I’ll call you as soon as I’m safe.”

“Here.” Faith held out a phone. “I have a stack of these. We give them to abused spouses. It’s a way for them to have an emergency line and to speak without their abusers watching or tracking them. But you need to stay here and—”

“No.” Standing there, talking, only made Jessa more anxious. Her knees and cheek ached, but she didn’t have time to baby the injuries. “It’s better this way. You won’t know where I am.”

Faith’s mouth dropped open. “I want to know where you are!”

“I’ll tell you everything, things you really don’t want to know about some powerful women in the area, but not yet. I need to do something first.”

“Jessa, I’m begging you. Stay here and rest. We’ll snuggle on the couch and—”

Jessa grabbed Faith and wrapped her in a tight hug. She never cried but could feel her control slipping away. “Trust me. I just need a few hours. Please don’t call the police or anyone else.”

Before Faith could hold her or argue, Jessa pulled away. She could hear Faith calling for her as she stepped into the hallway. One glance at her hand and Jessa texted Gabby.

It’s me. Jessa. Meet me where it’s safest.

They’d talked about this so briefly. She’d made a side comment about not seeing each other in the open, about going where no one should be. Now she had to hope Gabby got the hint.

Chapter Seventy-Two
Jessa

The front door was unlocked by the time Jessa arrived at Baines’s house. She stepped into the grand foyer, expecting Gabby to be right there to greet her for their clandestine meeting. She didn’t know her way around the dark house, but she saw a light in one of the rooms.

“Gabby?” Jessa whispered the name, but the marble floors caused her voice to echo.