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Taking it, I put my hair up and check the mirror. Now that the dirt is gone from my face, I see my lip is starting to swell. My hair looks a little bit cleaner, but I still need to wash it properly.
My stomach hurts, but that can wait.
What I need is my son.
THIRTY
JOEY
I fell in love with her strength before I fell in love with anything else about her.
You may ask how that is possible. I’m not sure, but that’s how it happened. It was her resilience and her no-bullshit attitude that turned me on the most.
Most women in my world are either willing or run for the hill, and she was neither. However, I think sometimes, with that attitude, she wanted to run for the hills.
I go to touch her as we sit in the car, but she turns her body away from me and looks out the window, indicating she wants no physical contact. Did he do something else to her that I’m unaware of? I wish I could have been the one to kill him, but I’m glad Adora was able to do it. She needed to with all the shit he has put her through. I don’t know how she has put up with it for so long.
Lucas looks back a few times, and I can tell words are itching to come out of his mouth, but I simply shake my head at him in the rearview mirror.
When the car stops out front of my place, she doesn’t automatically go to get out. Her leg starts bouncing, and her hand grips the door handle as she looks toward the front door.
“Take your time,” I tell her gently.
She looks over her shoulder at me. “What if Jerome asks?” she says in a weak voice. “I don’t want to tell him.”
“So don’t. He’s a child, and you are his parent. You decide what he needs to know.”
“You’re right. But…” She looks back to the front door, taking a breath. “There was a girl.” Her voice is stronger now.
“She is at Lucas’ bar until we decide what to do with her.”
“I think he controlled her as well. Actually, I know he did.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” I say.
She turns, giving me a soft smile. “You are a good man, Joey Rossi.”
Lucas laughs, making Adora crack an even bigger smile. And I don’t even want to hit him for his lack of respect because that smile made my heart skip a beat.
“So are you, Lucas,” she says, finally opening the door.
“The women I have buried probably disagree with you,” Lucas throws out.
Adora doesn’t say anything in return as she locks eyes with the front door again as if it’s going to bite her. I get out, walk around, and offer her my hand. She glances down and shakes her head before she takes the few remaining steps to the front door. She knocks, even though it’s my house and I have a key. It isn’t long until Merci pulls the door open, her worried eyes quickly taking in Adora before she reaches forward and embraces her in a big hug. Adora makes a grunting noise, and Merci lets go, pulling back.
“Shit, are you hurt?” she asks, worried.
“A little. Is he awake?”
“He is. Been asking for you all morning but is currently playing with that needy dog.”
“He’s okay, though?” Adora inquires.
“Of course. We cooked pancakes, watched some shows. We’ve had a ball. That’s a good kid you’ve got there.” Adora smiles before she steps in and heads straight for the living room where Jerome is watching television. As soon as he hears us, he turns, smiles brightly, and runs for his mother. His little arms wrap her in a hug, and she tries not to make a noise as he does it.
She bends down and kisses his cheek. “Are you ready to go home?” she asks, holding him tight.
“Is Daddy going to be there?”
