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“No. Even three way split between a widow, a mother who lost her only son, and a sick kid who’s graduating high school this year. They’re the ones who suffer a hundred times worse than anything we’ll ever understand. They’re the real victims. You’ll pay big to make the rest of their lives comfortable. That’s a drop in the fucking bucket for what you owe.”
His gaze drops. Growling, I let him go, stand up, and extend a hand.
It’s hell offering to help my worst enemy stand on his own two feet again. Takes a strength like nothing I’ve ever had. But it’s all I’ve got if I ever want Adam, Zane, and Erik to sleep without spinning in their graves.
It’s my last best hope for a normal life with Red, Mia, and her many unborn siblings. A key to a life that doesn’t make me want to turn myself inside-out every miserable damn day.
I’m still waiting for the asshole to take my hand.
“You understand me, Jackson? Last and only chance.” The death look returns to my eyes, so hot it makes them throb. I’m not playing games.
He stares me down long and hard before opening his cracked lips. “Yeah, asshole. I do.”
One more raw look and it’s over.
Finally.
He staggers to his feet. I help him walk. We shuffle past the beat up machinery, across the snowy expanse, straight by the truck where Red watches us with her sweet mouth hanging open.
I stuff him in his driver’s seat. Then I stand, arms folded, a frozen sentinel with my feet iced to the ground. Never move a muscle until he drives away.
I’m secretly hoping I didn’t just make the biggest mistake of my life. If this asshole double-crosses me…
But I don’t have time to think about that. I just feel two sets of hands embracing my beat up body. Red’s long fingers graze my chest and take the pain away. So do Mia’s tiny fingers, hugging at my leg.
It’s nothing compared to their eyes. There’s more questions than I can fathom in my soon-to-be wife and my daughter.
“Marshal?” Red’s hold tightens, her soft voice flooding my ears.
“Daddy?” Mia whispers up at me, eyes big, wondering why I look like I’ve just gotten mauled by a mountain lion.
I put my scratched hand over Sadie’s and look Mia in the eye. “Later. I’ll tell you everything. We’re okay, ladies. Let’s go home.”
“You’re sure you won’t let me take you to the clinic? I can drive, you know. You should get checked out.” Sadie pushes a sponge soaked in hellfire across my naked back, sanitizing cuts I didn’t know I had. The little ones are the worst, and they’re everywhere.
I grit my teeth, trying to start a fire inside the wall with my gaze. “I’ve had worse. It’s nothing.”
“If there’s any signs of infection, I’m taking you in. No buts.” She moves the sponge over the sink and wrings it out. Then she circles around, kneeling next to me, her soft green eyes a quiet storm. “Never again. You could’ve died out there, Marshal, and Jackson, too.”
Her lips peck mine. A fresh torture because my kiss is always greedy.
“Not my time,” I growl, throwing my arms around her. “Not his, either. Long as he lives up to his word.”
“He will,” she says, bowing her head. “If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll listen. Our parents won’t like them moving away, but I think dad will realize it’s for the best. He knows better than anyone how screwed up Jackson has been for a long time.”
There’s pain in her voice. I wish I could take it all away, but there’s been so fucking much today.
I just palm her soft cheek, press her face to mine, and kiss her until we taste the end of time.
“Lay with me. I’ve missed your bed,” she whispers, tugging gently at my fingers.
Nodding, I rise. Something soft and furry brushes past us, squeaking.
Whiskey. I kneel down, grateful to see the old furball for once in my life. He licks his chops, turning his face to my fingers, plumper than ever.
I’d left instructions with a farmer one town over to feed the cat until I could find a way to get him shipped to us. Glad to see he followed through. Even better we won’t be having to contemplate the Alaskan cold or the Arizona sun anytime soon.
The cat follows, curling up by my feet, a pleasure I’ll allow him just for today.
Screw it, maybe most days.
I don’t realize how badly I’ve missed my bed, too, until I’m flat on my back. Or maybe it’s just because I’ve missed the beauty pressed up next to me so much more.
“There’s something I need to tell you…” Red says, a shy heat glowing on her cheeks, even in the darkness.
I look at her, narrowing my eyes. My fingers hook in hers, begging the question.
