to feel weak or vulnerable. They don’t want to be forced to justify their actions inside, especially if they had to make difficult choices to survive long enough to get released.”
He frowned. “That’s not what—"
“If you ever want to talk about that part of your life,” I interrupted, determined to get this out, “I will listen to whatever you have to tell me. Without judgment or expectation,” I added as a promise.
He gently covered my hand, trapping it over his heart. His expression softened as his other hand cupped the back of my neck. “Thank you for the offer.”
This time, when he leaned down for a kiss, I welcomed his mouth on mine. I understood that he would likely never speak to me about what he had endured. There were probably parts of his incarceration that he had sworn never to reveal as part of his oath to the crime family he had served since his adolescence. I was glad that he understood that I would listen if he ever wanted to unburden himself.
“We should go.” He checked his watch. “Her lawyer said to get there early.”
"I’m ready.” After that horrible voicemail, I had contacted Ruby’s lawyer to do a welfare check on her. He had charged an outrageous holiday fee to do it, but he had managed to get in to see her that afternoon. He reported that she looked healthy and safe and was ready to get out of there. I had been reassured by his report, but I wouldn’t relax until we had her safely in our SUV.
“Is the bag?” He gestured toward the tote bag I had packed for Ruby.
“Yep.”
He picked it up and glanced inside. With a laugh, he pulled out a box and asked, “Pop Tarts are essential?”
“Yes.” I took the box from him and dropped it back inside the bag. “She couldn’t get blueberry inside.”
“And the Dr. Pepper?”
“It’s her favorite.”
“Was that one of our hoodies?”
“She might be cold when she gets out,” I reasoned. “And, anyway, we have a box of them. It’s not like they’re collectibles or anything.”
“Did you remember to charge her new phone?”
“Yes.”
“And the old one?”
“It’s up in her room.”
“Come here.” He held out his scarred, tattooed hand and beckoned me closer. I let him draw me in, still feeling annoyed with his teasing. He embraced me tightly and kissed the top of my head. “You and that big heart of yours.” He kissed my cheek. “Ruby is lucky to have you for a sister.” He kissed the tip of my nose, making me smile. “I’m lucky to have you for a wife.”
“Damn right you are,” I grumbled before letting him kiss me senseless. When we finally separated, he slid his hand to the small of my back and walked me toward the mud room and into the garage. He held open the passenger door behind my seat so I could stow the bag there and then helped me into my seat, keeping his hand on my bottom way longer than necessary. “Hands to yourself, mister.”
“Not a fucking chance,” he said in that gruff way that made my heart race and my belly flip-flop with excitement. He swooped in for one more quick kiss before shutting my door and walking around to the driver’s side.
“Do you know where we’re going?” I asked after I buckled my seat belt. “I can Waze the directions.”
Ivan shot me an amused look. “Milaya moya, really?”
“Oh. Right.” Abashed, I put my phone away. “Obviously, you know where to go.”
“It’s on Commerce, over by Buffalo Bayou.” He backed out of the garage and waited for the door to close before pulling away from the house. “It’s an ugly red brick building. There’s a sally port where she’ll walk out when they release her.”
“What is a sally port?”
“It’s like a loading dock or a garage entrance to a jail or some other heavily defended place,” he explained. “I think it started way back with forts and castles. It was a way to control who got in and out of your fortress.”
“Does that mean I won’t be able to wait for her?”
He shook his head. “I thought you knew,” he apologized. “We’ll wait in the SUV or on the sidewalk. She’ll walk out to us.”
“Are there going to be cops there? Guards, I mean?”
He shrugged. “Maybe? I’ve never seen them there when I’ve picked up one of the guys.”
“But, they might be there today to intimidate her?”