not hard to notice being followed. Elle has a few, too, and I guess it’s part of being in their world.
Scar and Liam are still bickering as Mist weaves down the neighbourhood’s road. She doesn’t even spare them a glance.
I can’t help wondering what her meeting with Hawk was all about. Silent people like Hawk are usually the most dangerous, so I hope he’s not giving Mist any trouble.
During all this time, I grew to like her no-nonsense character and the lengths she goes to in order to help the girls. When Natalie’s betrayal came to light, Flame and Scar wanted her executed. While her betrayal hurt, I didn’t want an execution. Mist proved to them that Johnny was providing Natalie with money to treat her sick grandmother, and therefore she fired her without any other penalties.
If only Johnny could be punished, too. He disappeared off the face of the earth without a trace. No one spotted him since that bloody, horrible day.
President Joe assured me that he’ll find him. He’s been showing up a lot at my doorstep, already buying gifts for my baby. I accept them all and even invite him for tea. He’s Shadow’s family and he seems genuinely happy to have a great-grandson.
Mist asks me about the day at school and my next appointment with the doctor, but it’s more serious instead of a friend to a friend talk. She wants to make sure I have everything I need.
The French twist appears too tight at the back of her head, it must be painful. She would look younger and tenfold more beautiful if she’d let those fiery strands down. From what I learnt about Mist, she’s doing this look on purpose to be respected as Le Salon’s madam.
“When are Elle and Ghost leaving?” I ask.
They planned a trip for a while now. Elle refused to, because of me, so I pulled Ghost to a corner and told him to take her as a surprise.
She needs some lightening up, and I sure as hell won’t allow her to forsake her happiness for me.
“Ghost didn’t say.” Mist keeps her eyes on the road, a slight frown on her forehead. “He only mentioned that I need to take care of business.”
“I’m sure you can do it. You’re the strongest woman I know.”
She doesn’t smile back. Instead, her face falls further.
Maybe she’s not so confident about doing it alone. “I’m sure Scar and that guy… the sleepy one, Flame? Will help.”
“Yeah, right.” She rolls her eyes. “Those two are the least dependable.”
“How about the other one? Hawk?” I can’t help indulging in my curiosity.
“Absolutely not.” She grits out, gripping the wheel tighter. “It’s not even up for discussion.”
There’s definitely something going on.
I want to ask more, but we already arrive at Mrs Adler’s lake house.
My lake house.
Apparently, the slimy bastard Shadow bought this house and had a lawyer register it under my name before he left. Ghost wasn’t amused because he wanted to buy it for Elle. It took her a long time to convince him that she can do with any house, so he bought her the one right next to this. It doesn’t have a lake house, but it has a huge pool that Elle and I spend hours inside it.
“Do you need anything?” Mist asks as I step out.
I shake my head and thank her. It’d be cool if she took the guards ‘discreetly’ watching from across the street, but it’s pointless to ask.
Once she disappears down the street, I get into the house. The lake’s water is clearer now after maintenance. Ghost and Elle have been helping me in renovating the lake house and the building. Even Liam comes sometimes.
It’s hard to renovate while keeping the memories that glued us to this place. Beside painting and some reparations, I don’t think I want to touch much of it.
I have dinner plans with Ghost and Elle in a few hours, so until then, I can rest. However, I don’t head to the main house. I hop into the boat and sail to the lake house. It smells of fresh paint and coffee. I sit on the cushion and stare at the ceiling.
Tears form into my eyes. I should be thinking of my childhood memories with Elle and Liam here, but all that comes to mind is that night when Shadow and I wrestled and devoured each other.
Please let him be alive, I send a silent prayer to the deity listening.