AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They’re risking a lot by allowing me to bring you here. I’d like to think it’s because they trust my character, but I know it’s more about you.”
A small warmth pooled in my gut at that. I wanted to call them again and talk to them, but I knew I just had to wait.
As if my thoughts sparked it, his phone sounded off, and my stomach knotted with anticipation.
“Hello?” Thomas answered carefully, but then he relaxed. “Hey mom, glad to hear it.”
I sunk a little in my seat, but I listened as he checked in on his mom and sister, reminding them to lay low. He was safe, and he’d have a plan by nightfall when he’d call them back. He filled them in on everything that happened, and I stared at the pulled blinds, feeling like I shouldn’t be privy to his conversations. It sounded like his mother was proud of him though for the choice he made. She just prayed it didn’t blow up in their faces.
By the time he’d hung up, I’d finished off my serving of food, and he just gave me a relieved look.
“I’m glad they’re okay,” I said, and he nodded.
“Everything’s going to change for us. Mom’s worried, so is Yolanda. Life as we’ve known it is never going to be the same,” he said, a weary look settling over his features, an expression no one needed to have at his age.
All because he’d saved me.
“Thank you, I know the risk you’ve taken for both you and your family by helping me.”
“It was the right call, they both think so, too,” he stated as he started eating once more.
“The Slades will help you,” I said with certainty. I’d make sure of it, if they cared for me, they’d take care of him. His kindness deserved to be thanked.
“Hopefully,” he mumbled through a mouthful of food.
I let my gaze move to the alarm clock by the bed, quickly calculating how long it had been since our call with the brothers.
They’d said a few hours, that meant they’d be here any moment now hopefully.
“Dessert? It always made my mom and sister feel better when things were… rough,” Thomas said slowly as he pulled out a container. “It’s mango pudding, all they had.”
“Sure.” I wasn’t about to turn down something sweet. I’d never been good at fighting the urge to eat my emotions away. I might not have wanted proper food, but sweets always helped.
Thomas was far too kind, and I couldn’t help but smile at him as he dished it up.
He deserved to be free from all of this.
19
LORENZO
The manager had called to inform us when she’d arrived, also updating us once the car had been handled and commenting that the young man who’d assisted her had requested clothing.
Kieran and I had wanted to call back and speak with her, but Zane had warned us against it. Sure, the boy was smart enough to toss his own phone, but one could never be too careful.
We planned to move her from the motel as soon as we got there, and I was bouncing my leg as Zane drove. Our guards were in their own vehicle behind us, and we had police set up along the roads around the motel for extra peace of mind.
We could’ve just gotten them to pick her up, but you never knew who you could fully trust. And Vee was far too important to put at any further risk.
Hell, leaving her with this Thomas was more than we were comfortable with, but the motel manager was not one to get more involved than he had to. He worked with us on a strict basis where he wasn’t to be directly involved where possible.
“Those fuckers are dead. They hurt her, I just know it,” Kieran hissed for the millionth time. He sat in the backseat, and it was like we were driving with explosives rigged to go off. He’d be more dangerous than one measly explosion though.
“We don’t know anything yet. The manager said she looked fine, scared and worn, but fine, and the man looked afraid if anything,” Zane said, his tone emotionless.
Good. Having him checked out for now was a positive, we didn’t all need our emotions running the show.
“Afraid is bad. He could flip,” Kieran spat.
