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MADE NO PROMISES. JUST A MEETING. I texted him.
Draven said, LET ME KNOW WHAT SHE SAYS.
That wasn’t going to happen. If I took her on as a client, then whatever we discussed would remain confidential.
I put my phone back in my pocket. There was no point in wasting time thinking about MaKayla’s issue. I wasn’t even sure she would show up. But if she did, and I didn’t feel as though she was being straight with me in regard to what she was looking for and why, I’d send her packing right back to Canada. My reputation was on the line. It wasn’t as though I hadn’t been played before, but I wasn’t about to let it happen again.
That night when all fell apart and someone almost lost their life because of me, haunted me even today. He swore he was looking for his wife who’d been abducted overseas. I found her and shared her location with him. What I hadn’t realized is that she wasn’t a prisoner. Those people weren’t her captors. They were her protection and I foolishly led him right to her.
But he’d made the mistake of letting me join him when he retrieved her. I had said it was for his safety, but all it took was one look in her eyes when she saw her husband approaching, and I knew. He was the asshole. He was the threat. Before he could reach her, I dropped him to the ground, put my foot to his throat, and made him a promise.
If anything ever happened to her, it wasn’t the law he’d need to worry about. I’d find him and he’d answer me.
It hadn’t been an idle threat. I meant it. But I also ensured she wouldn’t be found by him again and set her up financially so she wouldn’t feel trapped.
Although she’s been okay all these years, I make it a habit that I check on her at least once a month just to make sure nothing has changed.
I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. She answered right away.
“Mr. Blaze. How are you?” she asked.
“The question is how are you?” I asked.
“I’m doing great. I’ve started my own bakery. It's not only thriving, but is also a way for me to appease my sweet tooth. If you ever come for a visit, I’ll make you the chocolate lava cake. It’s my best seller,” she stated.
“I’ll be there if you ever need me.” She never has. It was good to know that I hadn’t totally fucked up. Her life has not just continued, but she genuinely seems happy. I had some news for her that I wasn’t sure how she’d receive it.
“I have learned that your husband has passed away,” I said.
She was quiet for a moment, then asked, “How?”
“He was killed in a motor vehicle accident. They suspect he’d been driving under influence,” I informed her.
“That sounds about right. He always loved his whisky more than he loved me. Thank you for telling me. I...I wish I could say I’m happy he’s gone, but I don’t think I have any feelings about it. Not happy or sad. Is that odd?” she asked.
“No. It means you’ve moved on. That he didn’t win and destroy your life. But with him gone, you are free to come back home to the states if you want to,” I said.
“Five years ago I’d have packed my bags ready to board a flight. Now I have a life here and I’m not sure I want to give it up.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Mr. Blaze, can you promise me one thing?” she asked.
“Anything. What is it?”
“Promise that you’ll still call me once a month.”
“I can definitely do that,” I replied.
“Good, because you’ve come to be family to me.”
I got it. I was the link to her past and her present, and she didn’t want to lose that. “Then I’ll talk to you again next month. Good luck with the bakery.”
“Thank you. Take care of yourself, Mr. Blaze.”
She ended the call and put the phone back on the table.
Everything came back to family. Maybe it was a sign that helping MaKayla find hers was the right thing to do.
