AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It seemed like I stood under the tap for hours until the water finally stopped swirling red around the drain.
Then it was pink for just as long.
Before, finally, the water seemed clear again.
I scrubbed myself then, getting every inch of my body five times over, not wanting a tiny trace of evidence to be found on me if the police were looking too closely.
Finally finished, I climbed out, dressed, then toweled my hair until it was almost dry, knowing that showing up with wet hair might be a red flag as well.
Finished, I moved to the doorway, where I waited for Luca, who led me outside.
“Mama!” Judah cheered, making me turn to find him with his arms thrown up in the air as Lucky held him.
He looked okay.
Tired.
A little puffy from crying.
But unharmed.
And not traumatized.
“I should probably apologize for how many cookies I let him eat,” Lucky said as I took Judah and crushed him to my chest, burying my face in his curls, breathing him in, reminding myself that I’d done what I’d needed to do to keep him safe.
That helped a bit.
“Ow, Mama,” Judah whined, making me release him slightly.
“Sorry, baby,” I said, sniffling again.
“You ready?” Milo asked, coming up behind me.
“Yeah,” I agreed, nodding.
“You remember the story?” he asked as we all got into the car, me in the back with Judah.
“Yes.”
“You might not even be questioned,” Lucky said. “They probably got a statement from Damon, and are starting to look into this story.”
“But… what if they don’t find anything to, uh, corroborate it?” I asked.
“They will. Spent shells. On the road where Damon said they were shot at. On a stretch of rural road with no cameras.”
“Right. Okay.”
“It’s going to be alright,” Lucky said, glancing at me in the rearview as he turned off the side road that led to the safe house.
“How are you both so calm?” I asked, the pain dripping into my voice again. Aurelio was their brother. Shouldn’t they be freaking out?
The men shared a look, then it was Lucky who spoke. “The panic and adrenaline and all that shit… it catches up to us after,” he explained.
I guess that made sense, with how often they likely experienced life-or-death scenarios.
“Is your mom okay? And Sofia? Elisa?”
“Mom is at the hospital already. Smush and Elisa should be pulling up soon too,” Lucky said.
