“I keep wondering if she’s safe. Is she going through all that shit still? I hate not knowing. What if she’s…”
“Hey, we don’t know that. We have to stay positive. We’ll keep looking and John is looking as well.”
Torque pulls away and frowns. “You like that guy, don’t you? Are you sure we can trust him?”
“I trust him.”
He pouts. “You didn’t answer the other part.”
“Why are you asking the other part?”
His frown turns into a pout. “I may be the younger one, but you’re still my sister. I have to look out for you.”
I don’t have the heart to tell the kid we’re not really related. He says the words with such conviction. Instead, I run a hand through the front of his hair.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone care about me as much as you two. He’s not out to hurt me. Our relationship is… it’s complicated.”
He nods as the wheels turn in his head. “Well, you should be careful. You know, you guys should use condoms and stuff like that.”
I nearly choke as my eyes bulge. Slapping him in the shoulder, I laugh. “I’m not sleeping with him. Like I said, complicated.”
“All right, but just in case. Remember what I said. We have to look out of each other.”
“Lie down. You need more sleep,” I tease.
He gives me that smile that will break a few hearts someday. If I can help it, this kid will have a normal healthy life. As a matter of fact, I need to start thinking more about that. He’s happy here, but is this the place for him?
He turns onto his side with his back to me. Tossing an arm over him, I spoon his back. Torque snuggles into my embrace.
“Roni.”
“Yeah,” I murmur, sleepily.
“I love you. I never want to lose you.”
My heart squeezes. Those words hit their mark and tears come to my eyes. I nod as I try to clear the lump in my throat.
“I love you too, kid.”
“I’m not a kid.”
I snort. “Yeah, sure. You’ll be eighteen soon. I know just what we’re going to get you.”
He chuckles. “Sounds like a breakout situation. I’m game.”
“Go to sleep before Nate bursts in and blames me for trying to break you out.”
“He thinks I have potential. He says I need to stop rushing.”
I sigh. “He’s right. You need to think things through and slow down. Go to sleep, Torque. We can talk in the morning.”
I don’t know why, but I do something totally out of character. I lean forward and kiss the back of his head, tightening my hold on him. His body relaxes with the gesture and he reaches to lace his fingers with mine. Soon his soft snores fill the room.
You need to start making your own money, then you can get him out of here.
John
I’m exhausted. Nellie hasn’t woken up, but she and the baby are stable. The family stuck around for Wyatt as long as we could. I plan to shower, pass out for a few hours and head back in to make sure he eats and has a change of clothes. I know he’s not leaving his wife’s side and I can’t blame him.
I pull out my phone to see if I have any messages from Roni. It’s so late, I’m not going to call her. Although I know she’s probably pissed that I never caught my plane.
I’ll explain in the morning. Sometimes I truly hate this distance and time difference. Hearing her voice would be perfect at the moment.
“Hey.”
I look up in confusion. Missy is sitting on my front step. I turn to look behind me. I could have sworn I locked the gate since I was headed out of town.
“Um, hey,” I reply, my brain too tired to catch up with what the hell is going on.
“So… um, I have a friend that was at the hospital tonight and saw you there. I was worried, so I came over.”
I knit my brows. “Seriously? I mean, thanks, but you had to be here all night.”
“I couldn’t sleep until I knew you were okay,” she says and bites her lip.
In the past, I thought that was sexy. It’s this little thing she does that makes her mouth look hot. Tonight, even in my exhaustion it does nothing for me.
“Listen, it’s been a long as fuck day. I’m so tired I can’t see straight.” On cue my stomach starts to growl.
“Sounds like you’re hungry. How about I come in and make you something