Page 84 of His Other Half

"You don't know what they're capable of doing to Paco. It already might be too late."

Arguing back and forth, she grew stronger in her conviction to go to Paco. There was no other way to save him. Tarkio might believe they could rush in with guns, shooting anyone who stepped in their way, and that might work at the Casino until the tribal police were called, but not if Askook captured Paco on Blackfoot land.

Finally, she'd made a decision on what to do. She walked over to the front door and flashed the porch light twice. Not wanting to wait until Whip came to the door, she walked out of her apartment.

Whip jogged across the short span of lawn. "Did you hear from him?"

"No." She faced him squarely. "I'm letting you know that I'm going to the Rez."

"You can't."

"I can." She stood straighter. "I'm a registered Blackfoot with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The council can't stop me from entering the reservation."

"You're not listening to what I'm saying." Whip exhaled heavily. "Paco would kill me if I allowed you to go."

"Yesterday, I would've agreed with you. But if he's there, I'm the only one who can help him leave. Askook—Robert Shaw isn't going to let him walk away alive after Paco one of his men and released Cami and the other woman. Even the tribal police will agree with him. Trust me, you wouldn't want Paco to disappear within the Blackfoot justice system."

"Fuck," muttered Whip.

"Please, I need to go." She grabbed his arm. "If you care about Paco, don't try and stop me."

Whip shook his head. Impatient, she bit her bottom lip. The longer it took for her to leave Missoula, the worst things could get for Paco.

"Give me five minutes to call Priest." Whip motioned with his chin. "Can I use your phone?"

"Yes, but I'm going to go, and Priest can't stop me."

"Oh, honey, he can stop you." Whip led the way back into the apartment.

While he went to the phone, she grabbed Cami and pulled her into the bedroom. Now that she was going, she said, "I have money I've been saving in the black boots in my closet. If I don't come back, I want you to take it and use it for the baby."

"Don't talk like that." Cami hovered near the door. "Can't Whip go with you?"

"No."

She looked around her room. There was nothing she needed. She was either coming back with Paco or not coming back at all.

Spotting her journal on the floor, she turned to Cami. "Can you give me a few minutes?"

Cami nodded, holding her stomach, and she left the bedroom.

Grabbing the journal, she glared at the root of her problem. If Paco hadn't found her journal, he would be safe.

She knew what she had to do.

It was easy to rip up what hurts her and leave the pieces on the ground, but in her desperation to rid herself of her problems, she'd spread more litter in her life. Her troubles only multiplied.

She found a book of matches in her dresser and carried the journal to the bathroom.

She lit the pages on fire and watched the flame grow. Then, she threw her past into the bathtub.

Cami and Paco ran into the bathroom. She ignored them as she watched the cover curl and smoke fill the small room. The proof of her shame burned to ashes, gone from the world.

"Josie?" Cami touched her back.

She held up her hand. "I'll be ready in a moment."

Aware of the others watching her, she stayed until every page was gone, and only the soot remained. Cleansed of her past, she turned to Whip.