Her hands raise in surrender. “I’m just saying, there is all this pressure in your twenties to figure out what you should be.”
“You were married at eighteen,” I point out.
“Yes, well I’m not blind. I see how this world is coming down on people your age for not having things figured out, and how could you? There is so much more to try and learn. I mean you got powers mere weeks ago, which is still blowing my noodle, but think how long it takes for an infant to walk, to talk. Give yourself grace, baby and remember you have a good heart. The rest is details.”
Now I’m crying. “Did I ever tell you that you’re the best mom in the whole world?”
We embrace and I forget about Lysander, about my problems with Cinder, and the possibility that gangsters might come down on me.
Chapter41
Second Chance Cake
TED
Goldie’s mom got in yesterday, Eli assured me. So I sit in my house and wait. Either for Goldie or for the cops to come and get me.
Sitting on my porch, the sky is violent streaks of bright orange from the setting sun. I sip my beer trying to soak in the feeling of a hard day’s work at the sites today. But truthfully, I’m about to claw out of my own skin to keep from going to her. To keep from knocking down her door and demanding she take me back.
But Goldie's spending time with her mother. I know she’s scared of her powers, and she needs a break, so I’ll give her one, even if it’s killing me inside.
Eventually, I’ll go to her and explain that she’s not in danger anymore. Not from Eli’s enemies anyway.
I tried to do it the honorable way, walking right into Grimes' own office with his goons, and standing there in good faith. I offered a truce and a payment plan for Eli’s debts. When he laughed in my face, and said I had twenty-four hours to turn my brother in before he killed me and everyone I loved, he dug his own grave.
With JJ’s technological assistance, I was able to corner Grimes. I shifted and struck him down so fast no one saw it coming. I took out his goons too. When the massacre hit the media, the cops claimed not to know who took out the notorious crime boss. They suspected it was a power play from another family.
That didn’t mean they couldn’t figure it out. Didn’t mean the cops wouldn’t show up and put me in cuffs, but it had been two days, and it was seeming less and less likely they would figure it out.
Maybe something hardened in me the day I killed Eddie. But I knew the truth. Goldie is pack. She’s my mate and I’ll do anything to keep her safe without regret or remorse. Even if she stays in the house, resolute to keep me out of her life, she’s close enough that I can work my way into her life over time.
When I walk inside the house, dropping my beer bottle in the recycling bin, Eli passes by. “Hey, there was a package on the porch, I put it on the table.”
I confirm with a glance, a white box with no label on it.
“You going somewhere?” I ask, noting Eli is wearing one of my button up shirts. It’s a little large on him, but he looks respectable.
He looks down at his shirt and smiles as red tinges his cheeks. “Uh yeah, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind. I am taking Mrs. Locke, er, Sabrina to dinner to thank her in advance for setting up some opportunities in Iowa for me. She also had a desire to see a bit of Boston and since Goldie is still under voluntary house arrest, I thought I’d take Sabrina out for a couple hours.”
I study my younger brother for a moment. “You look good.”
“Thanks,” he says. “And uh. . . thank you.”
The second one is for everything I’ve ever done for him. I nod, accepting his gratitude and he’s out the door.
Walking over to the box, I lift the lid and find a pink, heart-shaped cake. My heart skips a beat before somersaulting over itself.
This time I won’t make the same mistake. Any heart Goldie gives me, I’ll gladly take.
Chapter42
The Cat In The Hen House
GOLDIE
When I regain my senses, I find myself bound, a captive in my own kitchen.
What the hell happened? Last I remember, Mom was heading out for dinner with Eli, while I prepared to pull some wallpaper off one of the many bedrooms.
