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“I took a bullet, Eve, because I love you more than I love myself and if you’re not by my side…” Her eyes are spilling hot tears and I reach down to lick and kiss them up. “Then my life, my reason for being is gone.”
She lifts her hand and traces my lips. “Really? You love me?”
I nip at her fingers. “I don’t know what more I can do to prove that to you. I’ve loved you the moment I saw you at sixteen, with legs to die for and a mouth to kiss.”
She closes her eyes and shivers as I reach down and pull up the covers. “You won’t ever be alone. I’m not going anywhere without you.”
She grabs my hand and places it on her swollen belly. Our baby kicks. “I thought you could save him.” She shakes her head. “I know it sounds crazy, but I did.”
I pull her tightly against me, my pants a barrier I wish was gone, but her hands cling to me. “I know you did, baby, but he lived way longer than anyone ever believed he would. He’s at peace. The way he was living… wasn’t living.”
Shaking her head, she whispers, “I know, but I miss him. Who am I going to talk to? He wasn’t even that old.”
I pull away yet she reaches for me. “I’m going to turn off the light and take off my jeans,” I say. “We’re gonna be okay, Angel.” As I turn off the light, she sniffs and sighs and I slip back into bed, the cool sheets underneath me a cruel reminder that I will always be looking over my shoulder. Always worried about my children and Eve.
“Sleep, babe. You need all the rest you can get.”
She sighs into my arms and drifts off as I stare up at the dark ceiling wondering how I’m going to keep her calm. Christ, she was so sure he was going to be able to see his grandchild. I close my eyes and try to sleep, knowing the next few days are going to be hell.EVEI’m in a white room—at least I think it’s a room. It’s all white and I’m alone, which bothers me because I’ve hated being alone lately. “Jason?” I yell, but he doesn’t answer me.
“Hey, baby girl.”
I turn. “Daddy?” He stands right in front of me and he’s cured. Strong and handsome, he smiles at me and I throw myself into his arms. I guess I’m crying, which is silly because he’s not sick anymore and he’s not dead, so why am I crying?
“Oh God, I thought you died, and I didn’t know how to go on without you.” I laugh, but it comes out a sob.
“You listen to me, Evie. You take that baby boy of yours and you raise him to be strong and fierce.”
Shaking my head, I look up at his beloved face. “I don’t understand.”
“You do.” He nods and backs up, a frown on his face like he’s aggravated. “You stop mourning me, and get on with livin’. You love that man of yours. He loves you. Together you both will be unstoppable. I have to go now. Let me go in peace.” Smelling like cigarettes, he moves forward and hugs me again. “I need you to believe in your brother too. I know he’s done some bad things, but he’s your blood, baby girl.”
“He’s killed people, Daddy.” He pulls back and starts to walk away again. “Wait!” I try to move but can’t. Why can’t I move? “Wait, Daddy, please… don’t go. I need you.”
He turns and waves. “You’re my pride. I love you.”
“Eve… Baby… wake up.” My eyes bolt open as I gasp for air and sit up. Jason is next to me, his warm strong hands caressing my hair as if I’m a wild creature he doesn’t want to spook.
“You’re okay… you’re dreaming.” Taking a breath, I look at him and around the room.
“My dad just came to me, like it was him.” Suddenly hot, I throw the sheet off and sit up.
“I’m serious, he came to me, Jason.”
“Okay… that’s good, Eve.” He lifts my chin to give me a kiss. “We need to get up and get ready anyway.” He’s using that tone again—the one I’ve come to hate.
“Stop talking to me like you think I’m crazy.” I jerk away and stand. “I hate you talking to me like I’m insane or… fragile.” Hands on my hips, I stare at him. “I hate it.”
He looks confused and at a loss. Momentary guilt runs through me and I sigh.
“I don’t think you’re crazy,” he says. “You were having a dream, Eve. That’s it.”
I shake my head. “No, he came to me.” I wave my hands, his eyes following my movements as he frowns. “He asked me to let him go and to live… be happy with you. Oh my God it was so real.”
