I hated that it sounded so cut and dry, but there was really no other way to say it. Her legs buckled like she was going to fall. I moved quickly and caught her. I pulled her over to a white, padded chair that was in front of a desk in the corner and helped her sit.
“How do you know Patience?” she asked with tears on her face.
“She’s my girlfriend,” I said firmly. “I’m in love with your daughter, ma’am.”
A tiny hint of a smile touched her lips.
“You’re Zeke?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded.
She reached out and patted my cheek softly. Her paper-thin skin felt cold against my cheek.
“She loves you, too.” She sighed. “Zeke, do me a favor, son.”
“Anything.”
It was the least I could do considering she thought I killed her husband.
“Hand me that gun, call 9-1-1, take Sydney with you, and promise me you’ll take care of my girls.”
My brows pulled down in confusion.
“I’m sorry, I don’t follow. Who’s to say you won’t shoot me if I give you this gun?”
It was a valid question. I didn’t know how much of my story she believed. For all she knew I’d broken in and shot and killed her husband and her daughter.
“I’ve had my suspicions that my husband was a sick man. I should’ve said something and saved my girls. This is my fault and it’s the least I can do.” Her shoulders dropped. “I’m dying, Zeke. I have days at the most, and now my husband is dead. If you go to jail for life simply for doing something I failed to do, then who’ll care for my girls?”
She smiled sadly at me as she reached down and used what little strength she had to pull the gun from my hand. I knew I should’ve stopped her, but she was right. Patience needed me. Especially considering her mother was going to die soon.
She used the thick cotton of her robe to wipe the handle of the gun and laid it in her lap.
“Now, be a good boy and do as I said,” she rasped.
I nodded and backed away.
I pulled out my phone and called the police. I told them someone had been shot, gave them the address, and then hung up. She smiled up at me and shook her head as if she agreed that what we were doing was right.
I turned away, picked up Sydney’s limp body, and then turned to walk out of the room.
“Zeke.” She stopped me. “I’m so glad Patience has someone in her life like you. Tell my daughter I’m sorry I didn’t protect her and tell her I love her.” Tears flowed down her sallow cheeks.
“Yes, ma’am.” I adjusted Sydney’s body in my grasp and walked away.
I hated leaving her there so sick and frail, but it was what she wanted, and while I would’ve been more than willing to take the blame for killing that sick son of a bitch, Patience needed me. I’d always be there for her no matter what.
Thankfully, Sydney was out the entire ride back to my apartment. I’d never been formally introduced to her and I didn’t want her waking up and showing her ass thinking I was kidnapping her. Not to mention, she’d gone through something pretty traumatic already.
I wasn’t sure what story Patience wanted to tell her, but either way, when she woke up she’d find out her father was dead. Had it been me, I’d be happy the bastard was gone, but she might not take it so well. The girls’ lives were going to change from this point on, and I planned on being there to help them through every step of the way.
When I walked through the door holding Sydney’s body, Patience stood from the couch and pushed Finn and Tiny out of her way. They’d been doing a good job guarding her apparently, and she looked pretty pissed about it. She ran to me and pushed Sydney’s hair from her face, and then she looked up at me with a look of confusion.
“What happened?” she asked with wide, accusing eyes.
“Here, give her to me. I’ll put her in your bed,” Tiny said.
I handed Sydney over to him and he turned to take her to my room. Finn nodded his good-bye as he turned and left the apartment.
I reached out to Patience and attempted to pull her into my arms. All I wanted was to be close to her. We’d almost been pulled apart tonight and I wanted to feel her