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“He—”
The doorbell rings again, and Shaye lets out a loud yelp, jumping about ten feet into the air. “Relax,” I say. “It’s Rocco. Lemme get rid of him.”
I pull open the door. “Listen, it’s not a good time—”
“It is time, douchebag. That’s why I’m here. Did you think I was gonna let you do this alone again so you could fuck things up for us?” He pushes past me, joining my family in our decidedly dysfunctional moment. “Wow. The whole gang is here, huh?” He looks back at me. “You know I’ve only got a two-seater, right?”
“Shut up, asshole,” I mumble, pulling on my jacket and grabbing my duffel. “They’re staying. And I’m going alone.”
“Going where?” Shaye moans, clutching my arm. “You are not doing this again, Max! Didn’t you learn your lesson last time?”
“She’s gone because of me! I won’t drag someone else down with me. I can’t do it…not like with Gabe…”
Rocco grabs my arm. “Stop. We’d never let Nico do this kind of shit alone. And even though I hate your guts, I still don’t wish you dead. Don’t be a hero, Max. You can’t help Sloane by yourself.” He points to my jacket. “Look at you, all ready to run out and save the day. But do you even know where you’re going?”
I sink to the floor, holding my head in my hands. “I don’t know. I don’t fucking know, okay? I don’t know how the hell I’m gonna find her, let alone save her before Christ only knows what will happen!”
Shaye sits down next to me, her arm around my shoulder. “I know you’re still beating yourself up over what happened to Gabe, but you can’t. You want to save Sloane, but you need to act smart, okay?”
I look up at Rocco. “How did you know I’d even be here?”
“Because I called you and asked.”
“No, dick. That’s not what I meant.”
Rocco smirks. “Nico sent me over. He thought you’d be ready to run. He was right, as usual.”
“How the fuck does he even know—?”
Rocco shrugs. “Don’t ask me. He’s got eyes and ears everywhere, I guess. And they got him an address. But we’ve gotta move fast. He doesn’t know how long they’ll stay in that location.” He clasps my shoulder. “He knows about Sloane, too. We’re gonna help you get her back, bro. Now get up and grab your big boy purse. Let’s get going.”
“I’m going, too.”
“Tony, no!” My mom weeps into my father’s neck. “You can’t. Please, just stay with me and Shaye.”
“Lina, I’ve made so many mistakes. I can’t ever make up for them. But I can at least do the right thing now. I might not be able to save myself, but maybe I can save someone else.” His eyes flicker toward me. “I caused this. I should be the one to end it.”
“Dad—” I start, but he holds up a hand and grabs a coat from the closet, struggling to pull it on.
It takes him a few minutes, and he’s slightly out of breath. He nods at me, and I know he’s in bad shape. He knows it, too. This is what he’s been waiting for. A chance for redemption. Who the fuck am I to deny him that?
After so much lost time, we finally fixed what was broken.
I just wish we hadn’t missed out on so much of the past. I wish he’d have come to me sooner, told me about the gambling. I wish he’d have talked to me instead of tearing me down. I wish he’d have been more of a father to me.
I could have helped him. I could have saved him and saved myself at the same time.
But all of that is moot now. The only thing that matters is Sloane.
“Don’t say another word. I’m going. Period.” He turns to my mother and slowly wraps his arms around her, nestling her close to his chest. I can tell every movement brings him excruciating pain, but still he holds her tight against him. Her body shakes from the sobs, but calms when he whispers in her ear.
She tilts her head up toward him and manages a watery smile. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.” He places a kiss on the top of her head, and gathers Shaye for a long hug. “And I love you, pumpkin. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
She smiles through her tears and nods. “Okay,” she whispers, kissing him on the cheek.
Shaye stands next to my mother and puts an arm around her. “Be careful,” she says, her voice strong. “Take care of each other.”
