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Chapter Thirty-Five
Josephine
Gentle fingers run up my cheek and into my hair, making me smile and hum with pleasure in my sleep. “Mmm,” I purr. “That feels nice.”
I reach for Maceo’s hand and bring it to my lips for a kiss, slowly opening my eyes.
Maceo sits on the edge of the bed, looking similarly sad as he did the night he told me I needed to go into hiding.
He doesn’t need to say anything. I already know why he’s upset and what’s about to happen.
“No,” I whimper, my bottom lip trembling.
I’m not ready for this. I don’t want to say goodbye.
“You have to,” Maceo says in a rough whisper, his dark eyes full of regret. “I’ve let you sleep as long as I could, but we can’t wait any longer. The van is packed and Punk is ready.”
“But we still have a week. I have doctor appointments, therapy—there’s so much left I need to do.”
He shakes his head and says, “It’s no longer safe here. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’re safe.”
But why so suddenly? I had a departure date. Now I’m being told to hurry.
“What’s happened?” I ask, my voice cracking.
Maceo’s chest heaves as his face twists into fury. “He’s contacted me and mentioned you and the babies.”
Oh, God!My arms and hands cover my swollen stomach. Esteban knowing about our babies has changed the game.
Desperately trying to hold back my tears, I shake my head adamantly. This cannot be happening. Does he have someone watching us? Is he watching us?
Logically, I understand the need to flee is crucial. Emotionally, my heart is begging to stay with my husband.
Maceo’s eyes brim with moisture. He tries to fight them off but fails. He pulls me into his arms, encasing me in a safe cocoon. “The longer we hold off, the harder it’ll get for both of us to rip the Band-Aid off. When you’re safe and sound, I can attack this case head-on. The faster I do that, the faster I’ll get you back.”
My fingers dig into his cut, refusing to let go. This is happening too quickly. Honestly, there would never be a time when I’d be ready to separate, but I’m dying a small death now that it’s occurring.
“Maceo,” I choke out against his chest. I should be stronger than this, be able to keep my shit together, but seeing how much this is hurting him too is like a double-edge sword.
“I know. It’s killing me too—gutting me alive. But I need you safe. The threat is too close to home,” he murmurs against my head. “It’s time.”
I don’t fight him as he pulls me gently from the bed. I don’t even say a word. My mind goes on autopilot as I get ready. No time to shower or braid my hair. Robotically, I pull on my clothes, one leg and arm at a time. I brush my teeth, fighting the tears. A few sneak out, and it’s all I can do to swipe them hurriedly away. If I allow more to fall, the dam will break, and I can’t do that. Maceo is upset enough without my emotions taking away from his concentration from the upcoming war.
With the last of my toiletries and my diabetic supplies packed, I emerge from the bathroom. Maceo tenderly takes my face in his giant hands and gives me a long, unhurried kiss.
Then we’re moving.
Everything happens in a blur. The MC ladies all tell me they’ll miss me as Maceo escorts me down the stairs. The rest of the crew has lined-up, saying their goodbyes without slowing our movement. My parents and Simone shower me with kisses and hugs, crying as they say their farewells.
Simone hands me my purse, kissing my cheek as she pulls me into a hug. “Take care of yourself and my nephews.”
“Be safe,” my mom says, wrapping her arms around both of us.
“And let us know when you arrive in Florida,” my dad says, kissing the top of my head.
Unable to speak without crying, I nod.
Jared gives me a quick squeeze before I’m ushered out the side door and into an unmarked van.
