I looked at the woman who sat beside me, a woman that I had grown to hate, then grown to love, then grown to feel a mass amount of respect for. I sat back in my seat with a sigh. "You feeling alright? Should I pull over?" Came the voice of the young woman beside me.
"No, I'm just thinking. I'm fine. Why are you risking your life to save mine? What do you have to gain in this crazy move? Why do you wish to go back to your death when you can avoid it? Natasha, think about your choice. Yes, I admit Grace can be unreasonable, but she isn't the sort of woman who desires to see people who help her in any means do what you plan to do. You have your faults, I admit, but death. Not even you deserve that fate. Come on, you know this."
She sighed. "Leonard, listen. I've decided. I know you don't feel like I deserve the path that I have decided but, I disagree." She sighed once more. "I've failed everyone I know. That isn't the way I'm supposed to live my life. I need to bring a light. Not lead them away from it."
"Natasha, my walk with the Christian God has nothing to do with you. You, however, made me consider the outcome of prayer. The church thing I attended a few times. I have nothing against it. I just don't have the time for it."
"I lost your confidence in me. You look at me as a murderer and a thief."
"You did some shady things, I admit. But, I forgive you. Grace, she will forgive you."
She looked at me, then back at the road. "That means a lot coming from you, but you can't speak for my sister. She has her own mind and actions. She'd be ready to attack me on the spot. I know Graceona, Leonard."
"I know that if I were to ask her to forgive you, she would."
"Leonard, don't place the way you want Graceona to live in her head. Let her be her own person. I know she respects and adores you, but she may have her own feelings. If she hates me, she has the right to. Don't forget what I have done to you and her. Let me do this. Stop trying to change my mind. It's already made up."
I sighed, looking out the window. "You're being foolish, Natasha."
"So, now you think I'm being foolish? Dude!"
"You are acting very foolish. I will not sugarcoat this, but you are acting like an idiot. You act as though you have no cause, no purpose. Jared has done a number on you. Do you not realize the authority he has over you? Even as you drive many miles away, he still has a hold on you. He is the one who wants you to do this 'choice' you're making. I don't think it's so much you as it is that devil in human clothing. He acts just like a devil. You need to stop believing his lies about me being the enemy. He is the one who has been a snake. Whatever he has fooled you with, all the false promises he's been throwing your way. OPEN YOUR EYES, NATASHA! Your uncle is a dangerous man."
She sighed, the two of us quiet after my outburst as I took deep breaths to regain my composure. "Leonard, try to calm down. You aren't in any condition to be this upset. It's my life. Not yours. Why do you even care, anyway? Just earlier on, you wanted me dead? Now you're getting it, and you're trying to change my mind. I'm sorry but I'm 99% confused right now. I don't know how to take you."
"I believe in second chances. Yeah, you were shady, and I admit it. I hated your guts for siding with Jarrod, for killing Annette, but you didn't see me having the fate that you and Annette are going to share if you carry this madness on. If not for you, Jarrod would have finished me in the shed. I was aware of your pleading to him, begging him to stop. I was aware of it all, the kiss, your reasons for doing what you did. Natasha Jarrod is causing you to go to the grave, to shut you up. Why can't you see that? What is he holding over your head? Tell me? Is it money, power, what is this he's promised you? I'll double it? I can give you your freedom back. I can break the shackles he's placed on you. If you would just come to your senses, what you're doing isn't right and you know it." My voice cracked as unshed tears stung my eyes. I looked down at the seat with a sigh.
She sighed. "Please, don't cry, Leonard, please. You have points, but you can't give me what Jarrod promised. I had his promise, but I'm giving it back to what they belong to. I want someone to love me as you loved me. I can't have you, Leonard."
I looked at her. "You're playing grim reaper because you can't find love? Natasha, you are a fool. This is crazy, you know that. There is going to be someone out there who will love you, who will treat you right. Who will protect you, treat you like someone? But how are you going to find out if you don't look any further than me? This war with Jarrod is ending. You will no longer have to look over your shoulder in fear of when he will strike. You will know freedom, just wait a little longer. If you love me, you could do that for me."
She sighed. "You're blackmailing me, Leonard."
"I'm trying to talk you into making another decision than this one." A thought came to my head. "Darin, do you remember him?"
"Yeah, he's your friend from France. What does he have anything to do with this?"
"Everything. He has everything to do with this. He could be the one to talk you out of this. He's not me, but he has asked about you."
"Dude, he's old." She sighed.
"He's the same age as Grace. Can you give him a chance? At least try him. He would protect you. He'd treat you like a princess. Come on, just give him a chance."
She looked at me. "Fine. Will you stop freaking out if I do?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Call him, your phone is in the glove box. I charged it. The other phone you had on you is in there, too."
I opened the glove box, got my cell phone, and called Darin.