south on the I-95 corridor.
We go from Route 1 and make a left, going further back toward the ocean. What seems like suburbia turns into the country very quick. We must’ve been on this road for miles and nothing seems different. It’s all open fields, snow covered houses, and buildings every now and again.
I glance over to Mammoth’s GPS and it says we’ll be there in a mile. We can see almost that far out, so I narrow my eyes and peer through the windshield, seeing an enormous farm off in the distance. I spot what looks like the ocean too, but that’s way off in the distance.
“That must be it.” I say, and through the corner of my eye I spot Mammoth’s smile.
“Yeah, looks nice. Doesn’t it?”
“It does. How do you think you’ll feel about the country life?” I question, and his smile immediately falters.
“How will you feel about bein’ out here?” He asks, glancing at me for a moment before his eyes drift back onto the road. We make it down the street in no time, pulling down a long gravel lane and park next to a couple of the other guys’ vehicles.
“What did you mean, by what you asked . . .” I look right at him as he parks the car. His eyes stare me down.
“I’m gonna want you to be here, Mouse. I know it seems crazy, but I don’t want you to go to Philadelphia. I want you here, with me.”
“Fredrik, I just signed a new lease. I have a job.”
“I know. I know . . . I just think things could be great if you lived here with me. Keep workin’, ‘cause I know it makes you happy . . . but if you’re gonna be workin’ I don’t want you living away from me too. We’ll barely see each other. We’re what, an hour away from Philadelphia?”
I blink at him, a little shocked at what he’s suggesting. “Am I losing my mind, or are you asking me to move in with you?”
“It’s fuckin’ crazy, isn’t it?” He laughs.
I nod, “A bit.”
“That’s alright, I’ll be crazy, ‘cause I know what I want, Riva— you.”
Taking in a deep breath, I know I’m about to match his crazy. “Okay . . . but I need to figure out what to do with the apartment. I can’t break the lease without paying something astronomical.”
“We’ll figure it out together. I promise.” Mammoth tells me, making me feel a bit better. “How many more days do you have off?”
“Three. I go back to work the day after Christmas.” I tell him.
“Alright, well, I’ll call a moving company to get your stuff out here. I have another question for you, though.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“Will you come to my parents’ with me for Christmas?”
Wow. “I . . . uh . . . aren’t we moving fast?”
“We’ve been moving fast this entire time, Mouse. Let’s keep our momentum.” His response causes me to break out into laughter.
I nod, agreeing to it because he’s right. We’re moving fast and I have the funniest feeling like it’s going to keep going that way.
Chapter Twenty-Four
A real man has nothing to hide. He will tell you the truth about whatever you want to know. Because he knows if he’s 100% honest with you, you will trust him no matter what. That’s the sign of a man that wants to grow with you.
~ Relationship Goals
Mammoth
We’re sitting in a circle of leather pleated chairs, all facing each other as Ravage begins our session. Gamble is back in Baltimore, dealing with a few things in regard to Ace being transferred out here. Ace has gone up and down health wise the past couple days, but I’m praying she’ll be stable enough to be transferred out here soon. Fuck, we’re all praying for it.
A few of the guys are back in Baltimore with Gamble, but Hart is here, just like Gamble wants him to be. “We have confirmation Konstantin boarded a plane back to the Ukraine.” I speak up, informing the others. Even though I owe Ion a hell of a lot for helping ensure I got the Marielitos off my back, he’s been giving me information. Honestly, I think I secured the Clans as an ally. He has me doing a few jobs for him like Boss is, which is essentially spying on the local mafias and seeing what I can get.
I haven’t heard of anything, but if there is anything of importance, I’m supposed to notify them.