I narrow my eyes. “John, one of these days you’re going to learn to release shit before it builds and explodes.”
“And one of these days you’re going to learn that we all have to make our mistakes and do things our own way, not Wyatt’s way,” he returns.
“Fair enough, but I watch you fix everyone and everyone else’s shit without thinking about yourself. I’m making sure you’re not doing it again.”
He releases a long breath and runs a hand through his hair, as he glances toward the office where Nellie is. When he locks eyes with me this time the storm is raging deeper and darker. It’s as if he ages right before my eyes.
“If you knew Nellie couldn’t remember anything before you and that she had no one to make sure she was safe in every sense of the word, could you stay away?”
I don’t have to think twice. “No.”
“Exactly. I don’t know how to explain it. She needs me whether she’ll admit it or not. Until she remembers something, or I figure it out, I’m going to guard her.”
“Are you two a thing?”
“Wyatt,” he warns.
Nellie comes out of the office and John shuts down, turning to grab the menu and focus on it. I straighten and take Nellie into my arms as soon as she reaches me. I kiss her forehead before looking at John again.
“If you need me you know I’m here,” I say, pulling his attention.
“I know. You know the same, in this life and the one after.”
I grin and nod. And the one after that. My family is my world. All I want is to see John happy. Right now, he’s somewhere in between and I wish I could do more to help him get there.
“I’m fine, Wyatt,” he says without looking up.
I pat him on back and nod. “I love you.”
He turns his gaze on me. “I’m not taking that case. You and Noah were handpicked.”
I roar with laughter. “Fuck you. This has nothing to do with that.”
His pretty ass winks at me. “I know. I love you too, bro. Now you two let me know what you want before I starve.”
Chapter 25
Forgive Me
Roni
I walk into the cafeteria beside Torque as he talks excitedly about his driving lessons. Looking up, I give him a smile. He’s so tall now. Almost a year and a half can change a lot.
Each day I watch as the boyish look falls from his face and a young man appears in his place. He’ll be seventeen this year. I can’t help wondering if Natasha looks as healthy and well taken care of as Torque.
“We pair off in teams tomorrow. Someone said something about them mixing driving and target practice,” Torque breaks into my thoughts with his deep voice.
I can’t remember when that happened. It’s like one day he started to speak and my eyes nearly popped out of my head from how deep his vibration registered. He’s still a kid in so many ways, but he’s not a baby anymore.
“That sounds cool. I’ll be taking the chopper up again tomorrow,” I say and give him a smug grin.
He frowns and his shoulders sag. “Man, you get to do all the cool shit.”
I lift on my toes to pop him upside the head. “Aw, come on. You say tons of worse things.”
“I’m also older than you.”
“Sure, sorry,” he mumbles. His frown deepens as he looks over my head.
I turn to see what has caught his eyes. When I find John with his arms crossed over his chest as he leans against one of the pillars in the cafeteria, my heart leaps. It takes everything in me not to show any of the emotions I feel.
I want to run to him and jump into his arms as I inhale his cologne, but I keep all that to my fantasies. Public affection seems so off putting to me. Or as if it’s something to rejected or shunned. Instead, I stroll over to him and look up into his handsome face.
“Look who flew in on a breeze. Thought you weren’t coming around for a few weeks,” I say as I stop in front of him.
“Go change. We’re heading out.” I knit my brows at his tone.
“What’s going on?”
“I need to clear my head. You’re coming with me.”
I nod and turn to head back to my room. However, I bump into Torque’s chest. He’s scowling as he looks between me and John.