Page 21 of Ignited Heat

"This is your only sister. I think we all dropped the ball where she's concerned."

Mama Lee tells them to sit down, and they reluctantly do so.

"When are you bringing Cassie home, Jason?"

"When she feels safe. You'll have to talk to her about that."

"She can't hide away forever." Papa Lee says.

"She's still healing physically and emotionally."

"The nightmares?" Mama Lee asks.

"Have lessened in intensity, but they're still there. She's very brave."

"Do you have a plan? Something we can do to get this threat out of the way?" Papa Lee asks.

"We need to have patience. I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm certain the surveillance of his family will turn something up." I hesitate. "Mama Lee, maybe it's time for another sleepover? She needs someone to talk to. I'm not really good in that department."

"I'll do that, Jason. Thank you."

I get up, and the brothers all rise at the same time. I wonder if I'll have to fight them. The odds are on my side anyway. I've studied them since working at Midnight Heat and can take them. Unless they fight dirty and pin me down, but besides their stubbornness, they are good men. Looking at their faces, I see some are mad, others are worried, and others are resigned to the situation. I nod at them and take off, giving my back to them so they know I'm not afraid.

Getting to Cassie is my priority right now. The road to my safe house seems longer today, but the wind in my face and the rush of riding my bike are enough to keep me from getting desperate. Talking about her situation without her present seems wrong, but the family needs to be included. I'll tell her everything we said and urge her to consider going back home.

It's not that I don't want her here, but I think her emotional healing will be faster if she has someone like her mother to talk to. Or have her attend the counseling they suggested, which she has refused so far. But I don't dare mention that to her. Not right now. I'm close to the property, and everything looks good. As I park in the driveway, Cassie comes out to greet me.

"Hey, I'm glad you're back."

"Are you okay? Do you need something?"

"Nothing like that. I just missed you."

She comes to me and gives me a hug and a kiss. Her smile is enchanting, and I know she's in one of her 'talking' moods. The closer we grow, the freer she is to express herself with me, and that's intoxicating. She trusts me with everything she is. These days, I find myself examining all the things she makes me feel. I've never had these feelings for anyone. There's a war in my head about whether I deserve her at all.

Inside the house, I take off my jacket and hang it on the coat rack by the door. I lock the gun I'm carrying in a safe that's in my room and come back to talk to Cassie.

"I met with your family just now."

"Oh, oh. What did they say?"

"They want you to be safe."

"It didn't get violent, did it?"

"You know your brothers too well. But no. Some of them were upset that I haven't found Solis, but they're handling it. Your mother is coming for a visit, though."

"Yeah, she texted me."

"I think it will do you good to spend some time with her."

"So she can convince me to go home?"

"She told you about that?"

"She doesn't have to. I know my mother."

I approach her and take her good hand in mine. It's small in comparison to my hands and so soft. You'd think she doesn't work hard, but she does. Carlos told me how she's always been there for her family, helping as soon as she was allowed to in her teens. I bring her hand to my mouth so I can place a kiss on her palm. She shivers in response.

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