AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your dad.”
“What can you do for him?”
I shake my head slowly. “I don’t know yet, but will you trust me if I say I’m working on it? You may not like the way things play out.”
“I trust you,” she says and kisses me gently. “Just please, help him if you can.”
“For you, I’ll do absolutely anything.”
I hold her like that for a while longer. She stays in my arms, content, breathing deep and slow, but eventually I release her. She kisses me then goes to spend more time with her father, since the days are short, and he doesn’t have many left. I don’t know how I’ll keep him a secret from Frost and Gallo, but I meant what I said—
I’ll do anything for that girl.
No matter how distasteful. I can stomach sparing her father if it’ll make her happy—and it helps knowing that he won’t live long anyway.
I pat the back of the truck before heading inside.
Chapter42
Hellie
Dad and I have a strangely normal afternoon considering he’s dying and I was just freed. The idea of having my own truck feels bizarre, but the weight of the keys in my pocket keeps reminding me that it’s real.
Everything is real.
We have dinner with Erick. He’s on his best behavior, although I can tell he’d rather kick my dad in the face than have polite conversation. We listen to Dad tell stories about his conning days, and Erick even laughs a few times, before Dad finally excuses himself for bed. “I’m old and sick and can’t hang like I used to. Love you, kiddo. And thank you for not putting a bullet in my head, Erick.”
“Goodnight, Dad.” I hug him and see him off.
Erick grunts at me and puts an arm over my shoulders. “He’s charming.”
“He’d better be, considering his occupation.” I smack Erick’s chest. “Come on, I want to do a little work.”
“Work? On what? You finished the painting.”
“On another painting I’ve had rattling around my head for a while.” I lead him upstairs and into the studio. He stands awkwardly as I arrange the space, getting the lighting just right, and place a chair next to the window, black with night-time dark. “Sit down and don’t move.”
“You’re going to paint me?” He seems surprised by that.
“Who else would I paint? Sit down.”
“I don’t know.” He hesitates, not moving. “You’re not going to ask me to strip, are you?”
“Not yet, but if you don’t do what I say then we just might turn this into a nude.”
He smirks at me but he perches in the chair. “If only you could be so lucky. My cock wouldn’t fit on the canvas, it’s much too big.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a disgusting man, Erick Costa.”
“And you love it. What am I supposed to be doing here?” He puts a fist under his chin. “Should I look pensive and deep?”
“No, please don’t.”
“How about strong?” He sits up straight, arms over his chest, puffing himself up.
“Even worse. Just sit.”
“I don’t know how to just sit now that I’m thinking about it.”
