AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wait.” She grabbed my arm and then released it with a jolt. “I just… I wanted you to know that Bristol told me everything you did for her and that you still feel guilty because Shane found her.”
I was sick of being reminded of this shit. “Your point?”
“Just that… when someone is hell-bent on hurting another person, there’s nothing anyone can do to stop them. Unless he was dead, your brother would have found her eventually. I just want you to know that it wasn’t your fault.”
“Not sure I see it the same way.”
“It’s the only way to see it, Scotty. You did everything you could. You tried, and that’s a hell of a lot more than most would, trust me.”
Curiosity piqued, my suspicion that her supposed reputation was nothing but a defense mechanism seemed more likely. “Did someone hurt you, Paris?”
The brief glimpse of vulnerability died in a flash, and I knew I was on to something. “Bristol is one of the first people in a really long time who I feel actually gives a shit. If it wasn’t for you, she never would have been here, so I just wanted to thank you for your part in that and maybe ease your mind.”
Nothing would ease my mind about the role I played in my brother hurting her. She didn’t answer my question, but I wasn’t going to push. I dipped my chin, then backtracked to my concrete slab, grabbed my coffee cup, and went inside to dump it down the drain.
A notification popped up on my phone, and I leaned against the counter as I answered the video call. “Mother.”
“Hey, Nugget.” My mom waved at the camera and leaned into it so all I could see was her green eyes. “Are you all settled into your new place?
“I am.”
“Give me a tour!” she exclaimed like I was living in a damn castle or something.
I flipped the camera around and walked around the apartment. “It’s not much, but I don’t need anything else.”
“Oh, I love it. Wait, show Sal!”
The man who saved my mother’s life and mine came onto the screen. “Hey, Scotty.”
I did another quick sweep of the space, then put the camera on me again. “How’s everything there?”
“Great.” Sal leaned back and stretched his arm across the back of the couch and rested his hand on Mom’s shoulder. “You’re welcome to visit anytime. I’ve got a room with your name on it.”
“I know, and I will as soon as I can.”
I was fifteen when Craig broke my arm and a rib. Mom had finally had enough. She reported it to the police, filed for divorce, and then we went to a hotel where she made sure we were close to the lobby.
Needless to say, Craig wasn’t happy about it. What he failed to realize was that she and I had been scheming for years, so we anticipated his wrath.
One night, Craig came to the door of our hotel room and tried to break it down. We knew his behavior needed to be on record, so we could do nothing but wait for the police to arrive.
Before they arrived, the man in the room next to us wasn’t pleased with a man treating his wife and child that way, so he and my father had words. That man was Salvator Damato.
Sal was a former Navy SEAL who had a gnarly scar going down the side of his face and a glass eye, the injury that forced him to retire. He was still in better shape at fifty-five than most men my age. He was also a highly sought-after security specialist for government agencies and security companies for consultation and training.
Not only was Craig physically afraid of him, but Sal had more connections and influence than Craig could ever dream, so when Sal decided that my mom wasn’t to be bothered, he ran away with his tail between his legs like the bitch he was.
I have Sal to thank for saving my mom and teaching me everything I know. He took me under his wing, and when it was apparent very early on that my intelligence was my strong suit, he connected me with the best of the best and encouraged me to start my own business. “Nothing wrong with working for the man unless the man needs something only you can give.” He told me I was special until I believed it myself because it turned out I was the best. Nobody can do what I can.
Inspired by Sal’s nickname, my company, Savage Security, was born. But more importantly, he loved my mom and gave her the life she deserved.
We chatted for a little longer, but then I had to get off to go into Royal because Q was meeting me there today. I grabbed a quick shower, then headed over.
The day flew by, and before everyone went home for the night, a bunch of us went to the local bar for a drink. Most of the guys were happily married with kids, so they left before their second pitcher was gone.
I had just gotten an email, so I replied to that and was about to take off myself when two women came in and sat at the other end of the bar.
“Hi, Jeanie, the usual, please,” the one with shorter hair said with a perky voice. I recognized her from Bristol’s wedding. She was the woman who made the cake that was so immaculate it was almost too intricate to cut into.
