Sins of Mine - Mary E. Twomey Page 0,54
it went down, Arlanna.”
My stubborn nature postures. “The world needs you, so that’s how it went down.”
“Everyone here needs you!” Paxton counters, exasperated that I’m just as bullheaded as he is.
Jen holds up her hand after she disinfects the wound, rousing Rafe as he whines with his eyes closed through the sting. “The both of you can fight over who gets to be more selfless another time. I need to concentrate. Unless the cops are going to be baring down on us in the next five minutes, that’s a conversation that can wait.”
I hold Rafe’s head as his eyes open and shut, his consciousness waxing and waning. “Baby,” I coo, kissing the top of his head. As big and growly as he is, Rafe is my puppy, so I don’t hold back my affection as I bury my cheek into the top of his head. “I’m right here, pumpkin.” I kiss his fur because I can’t not.
“I’ll speed along the water,” Paxton offers, and then trots back to the house. He’s probably going to heat it with his fire glare.
Jen keeps her voice calm, even though we’ve thrown more at her than anyone should be expected to shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asks me, her eyes on the tight stitching.
Rafe’s whimpers as Jen sews him up tug at my heart. “Easy, baby. Yes, I’m okay. Daddy was supposed to pick me up when Sloan went missing, but he took me and wouldn’t let me go.” I should choose my words carefully, but the truth spills out like marbles all over the place. “He was livid that I’d shaved my head, so he lost his temper and locked me in the closet. Said he wouldn’t let me out until my hair grew back, so he could take what he needed.” I swallow hard. “Said it was my duty to help the family however I could.”
Jen keeps her eyes on her work. I can’t imagine how tricky it would be to sew through fur. “Then I’m glad we don’t have to worry about him anymore. However it went down, I don’t care. You’re home safe. Everyone’s going to be glad to hear it.” She ties off the stitching and cuts the string. “Let’s see if we can all go a solid week without injury. If we can manage that, I’ll be thrilled.”
I force a few notes of a laugh as I glance out the window at the blackening sky. Clouds gather like they’re drawn to my misery, and I can tell it’s about to start raining.
I run my hand over Rafe’s neck. “I think we need to get him indoors before the rain hits.”
Jen nods. “Rafe, let’s get a move on. Can you stand?”
Rafe’s eyes open only slightly, and he lifts his head to whine. We’re forcing more effort upon him than he’s ready for.
I don’t blame Rafe for complaining, but I also know he needs a bed, and not the backseat of a car. He doesn’t move, letting us know he’s content to spend the night like this.
Jen jerks her chin toward the house. “Go on inside, Princess.”
I kiss Rafe’s maw, gather up Gray’s discarded clothes, and slide out from underneath him. No sooner do I lay his head down than he wakes more fully, harrumphing with a snort, as if to say he’s not going to sleep out in the car by himself. Me leaving him is the only thing that gets him on his feet.
“I knew that would work,” Jen chuckles, packing up her bag as the first few raindrops fall. She jogs past us and opens the door for Rafe while I lead the way, moving slowly up the porch steps so he follows suit.
Everly Ann greets me, and then howls to announce Rafe’s pain.
My whole body is heavy with too much weight put on my shoulders. My father is dead, and Sloan isn’t alive to help me through this. Much of the family business will fall to me, yet I don’t want anything to do with it. But if the family disbands, they won’t just stop committing crimes. There will be no checks and balances, no one to answer to. The world will suffer much if I can’t get a solid hold on the organization.
The whole thing makes me want to take a long nap.
One problem at a time. I need to pace myself.
Paxton brings a bowl of hot water to the entrance. He and Jen dip the towels in it, and begin to clean the blood