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I adjustmy cufflinks as I close the door to my limo. I glance out of the window at the now-empty street corner where those gang members used to hang out.
That was a big distraction.
A time-wasting one. Something I logically should not have indulged in.
But I couldn’t keep these thoughts that are raging through my head bottled up any longer, especially not today. That stunning girl from my hometown stirred something within me this morning, and I was determined to find a way to free myself from her constant presence in my mind.
But it hasn’t worked. Nothing has worked.
If only Ava Matson could see me just then. Then she would see that I’m not the cold-hearted killer she thinks I am...
She would see that I am a man who keeps to his word. A man who, despite my business, is respectful and loyal and keeps to a code of honor.
I am a man who doesn’t operate out of fear.
I exhale softly and shift my gaze away from the empty street corner and toward my man in the front seat of my limo.
And I say one word.
“Drive.”
7
AVA
Anytime I wantto recall the best moment of my life, I think of that day in the meadow.
One of the most magical days of my life.
The meadow itself is not far from my family house, just a block back from our backyard.
That day I was seven years old. Old enough to think I was mature and ready to be an adult already – enough so I could walk through an empty meadow on my own - but young enough to really want my Daddy beside me.
Well, I wasn’t exactly walking, more liketwirlingthrough the meadow. It was a sunny summer’s day - one of those long, carefree ones you can only ever experience in the golden haze of an innocent childhood.
Daddy watched me as I danced in the meadow. I was happy. Feeling safe in his presence.
After a time, he wandered over to me, crouching down to be at my height.
“Let’s make a wish,” he told me, his voice soft. “I’ll show you how to make one in the way my mom showed me.”
“How?” I asked, so curious. There were a lot of things I could wish for. A pony, a big house, a talking unicorn, a castle, magical powers, a puppy. The list in my little head was endless and Very Important.
“Close your eyes and hold my hand,” Daddy said, reaching out. “This is how we make a wish. This is exactly how your grandmother told me. But you’ve got to be super sure your eyes are closed, okay?”
I let him take my fingers in his.
And, following his example, I closed my eyes. Ireallyclosed them, just as he told me to.
“Now we wait,” Daddy instructed. “And keep those eyes closed.”
Yep. I squeezed my eyes as closed as I could possibly make them. I didn’t want to disappoint Daddy, and I really wanted to make sure my wish would come true.
“What are we waiting for?” I asked, starting to feel the strain as I forced my eyelids shut.
A slight breeze wafted past us. There was gentle birdsong in the distance. No one else was around in the meadow except for us two.
Dad’s hand squeezed around mine.
