“They weren’t after me, and I’m good,” Dev explained, instantly reassuring both of them. “Not hurt at all except that big oaf over there tackled me, because he was worried about my safety too. He ran across the parkin’ lot. I was standin’ there, mindin’ my own business and that wall of a man came out of nowhere and landed right on top of me. It hurt me real bad.” The humor might have been lost on the girls, but all three sets of eyes landed on Cash who gave a small smile and nodded.
“That’s true. I did,” Cash agreed, coming to stand in front of them. He reached out and ran a hand over Abi’s shoulder then patted Mae’s back. “I like your dad. I wanna keep him around.”
Abi smiled and went to Cash’s side, giving him the same side hug she had given Dev. He hoped it was out of appreciation for saving his life, not the abuse from the tackle.
“You need football pads if Cash plans to tackle you,” Abi said, a grin growing. Man, he loved that smile.
She also gave the levity he needed to pull a chuckle free. “And maybe some clue he’s coming at me so I can brace myself. I was standing there one moment then laying on my back the next. He could have hurt me bad.”
In another place and time, he’d think how badly he’d wanted a tender moment like this as a family. All four of them together in a better situation.
“Can you ask Abi about the teacher who called you?” Cash asked Dev in that same gentle tone he used with his girls as Abi’s hand slid into Cash’s, pressing her fingers around his, wanting to be held.
Then her brows set, her gaze dropped to the floor. Another fierce trait she got from his side of the family. “She told you about me and you.” Clearly a secret she hadn’t wanted out.
The quiet thing she did so well made it hard to guess what she was thinking. Didn’t matter. The call was real, and the girls were good, at least for the time being. Dev looked up at Cash as he drew Abi to his side again, wrapping an arm around her. “It’s legit.”
The door pushed open, this time his mother burst inside. She came straight for him. “You’re all right. Thank God.”
He amended his previous thought. Now he had everything he loved inside this room.
She circled him in her arms, squeezing both the girls into the tight hug.
“Momo, I can’t breathe,” Mae complained when she didn’t let go quickly enough. Dev got all his mother’s hair, hairspray, and perfume in his face. She reared back, grasping Dev’s cheeks between her palms, staring intently at him. Tears swam in her eyes before taking him in her arms again.
“Where’s Shanna?” Cash asked.
Shit, he forgot about his sister. She should be in the room too to make the moment perfect.
“She was stopped in the hall,” his mom said and took a deep calming breath. She ran her hands down her thighs, swallowing another long breath.
“Can I have a private word with Devin?” she said to Cash.
“Sure. Have y’all had any snacks?” Cash asked the girls in probably the friendliest voice Dev had ever heard. “Why don’t we go find some? I bet there’s some vending machines around here. We can give your dad and Momo time to talk then be right back.”
Mae’s head popped up in excitement. “I like Skittles. They’re my favorite food.” She lifted her arms and leaned toward Cash.
“I don’t know how you make it all day without someone carrying you,” Abi complained and leaned in to kiss Dev’s shoulder. He’d had a breakthrough today with Abi. She was tough and hard on the outside, just like him, but she cared on the inside, just like him. He lifted a finger, tapping his cheek, guiding her there with the kiss. When she leaned in without leaving him hanging, his world steadied underneath his feet.
“Walk for me,” he said to Mae and put her on her feet. When Cash bent to pick her up, his heart broke open with love. This moment, with these people, gave him the strength he needed to get through the rest of the bullshit to come.
“Let’s go find some Skittles. What do you like, Abi?” Cash asked, nodding toward the door.
“I don’t care. Probably chocolate, but I’m thirsty.”
His gaze stayed riveted on the three as Abi put her hand in Cash’s again as they left the room. He stood, offering his mother the chair. She didn’t accept.
“They’re all dead. My old man, Mack, Ace, and Tank. No one survived,” Dev explained to his mom, just in case she didn’t know. She lifted her hand, stopping him from saying anything more. She seemed shaky, something urgent on her mind. Her shoulders squared as she turned on her heel. The quiet in the room lasted to the point of being awkward as she placed her oversized purse on the gurney, fishing around inside. The bag held clothes, shoes, and the kitchen sink, he guessed. She pulled out a set of keys and a jump drive.
“I know what’s happened, and I know why.” She didn’t make eye contact as she came forward, offering him the keys. Instinct made him resist. She reached for his wrist, forcing the keys into his palm.
Okay. This felt intense as he looked down at his hand. There were two keys. Both looked like standard door keys.
“These keys go to a storage facility. Red Bird Storage, unit 1117. It’s next to the lumberyard.” She reached out again, this time to grip his bicep. “This is important, Devin.”
“What’s in there?” Dev asked.
She didn’t answer that question but let go of a whole lot more. “I’ve known about all of this the whole time. Shanna works for the FBI and has for years. I know Cash is here in some capacity with the DEA. They believe he’s posing as your boyfriend. I suspect that’s not the complete truth. I know you love him. I see it in you so that means you know the truth of why he’s here.”
