I blinked. “What?” I asked.
“Get over here,” he repeated.
I stared at him.
Then I skirted the bed and walked to him.
The minute I got within arm’s reach, he snatched me to his body and his arms went around me so tight, for the first time in days, my ribs hurt.
“Whisky, my ribs,” I breathed.
His arms didn’t loosen.
“He isn’t gonna touch you,” Hank said to the top of my head.
“Okay… um, Hank… my ribs.”
“He isn’t gonna get near you.”
I realized what was happening.
He had been making every effort to stay in control. So much so, he’d been physical y unable to move.
At my realization, I melted into him, my arms went around him and I held tight too.
I leaned back in his arms and looked up at him. “Whisky, we’re going to be al right.”
He didn’t say anything but he let me go just a fraction, the tension started to ebb from his body and we stayed there, just hanging on.
“Welp! See you got this under control, son. We’l see you in the morning,” Dad announced behind my back.
“Nightie night,” Mom said.
The door closed.
Hank and I just held on.
Shamus sat down and leaned into our legs.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” I said quietly.
“Lee plays by different rules than me,” Hank replied and I became confused at the sudden change of subject.
I leaned back and looked at him again. “Yes?”
“He recruits men who play by those rules.” I nodded, having no clue whatsoever what he was on about but deciding things were sensitive enough, I should just go with it.
“They work for money, their lines are blurred. Mostly, they do right, but other times, they do what they’re paid to do and don’t ask questions.”
I put my hand to the side of his face and let it drift down to his jaw.
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Sometimes, they dispense justice, their form, which isn’t the same as mine. Sometimes, Eddie and I play their game. Sometimes, we use them to get what we need.” I thought it was good that he was so handsome, because, when he got philosophical, he made no sense at al .
“Awhile back, a man hit Indy. Lee beat the shit out of him.
He did it purposeful y, methodical y, leavin’ a message. A man’l think twice before he touches Indy.” Oh shit.