Page 71 of Morally Gray Daddies

Erik looked at me with sadness in his eyes. Not breaking his stare, he said, “Meet me outside, Pasco. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“I knew you were a smart man,” Pasco said as he rose and went to the door. “I’ll get your bike ready.”

When the door shut, I grabbed a hold of Erik’s arm. “Please don’t go. Please!”

Erik stood and lifted me to standing as well. “One more job. That’s it.”

“You already said that. Please, it’s not worth it. What happens if you get caught? Or killed by the Godwins?”

Erik took hold of my shoulders and stared at me directly in the eyes. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I’ll be back by tomorrow night.”

“And what if you aren’t?” Panic built inside of me. I didn’t want to lose him. “What will happen if you don’t return?”

“I will. Trust in that.”

“How can I trust? You said crime was behind you. Those were your words. Now you’re willing to risk everything for?—”

“For us!” Erik snapped. “My brother is right. We won’t survive the winter unless something is done.” He headed over to a chest and began to pull out weapons. “I’m going. This conversation is over.”

“If you do this, then you’re not the man I’ve grown to love. You’re a good man, Erik. You’re a better man than your brother. You’re not a criminal.”

He paused, frozen by my words.

“Erik—”

Without another word, Erik resumed gathering his weapons then went out the door. I couldn’t stand there and not see him leave, so I positioned myself at the doorway and watched as he and Pasco hopped on their bikes.

He never once looked back at me.

Chapter Eleven

I looked around in the night, barely able to see the trees in the distance. I could leave. This was my chance. I could gather enough supplies and walk away. I could leave… but I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay and wait for Erik. Pray for Erik. Beg the fates for the man I loved to return to me safely. Please. Please. Please.

I would have stood on that porch until he returned, had it not been for the chill air forcing me back inside. Inside to an empty house. As I stood in defeat, I heard the roar of the engine driving toward me. I looked over my shoulder, wondering if I had been imagining what I so desperately wanted to hear, and was surprised to see Erik riding back to the house.

Pasco was not behind him.

An intense level of joy replaced my tears. “Erik,” I said in relief as I turned fully and waited.

Taking the steps of the porch two at a time, he wrapped me in his arms and crushed my body to his. He held me so firmly I struggled to breathe, but I didn’t care. I would have allowed him to break every bone in my body if it meant him staying with me and not only returning to give me a proper goodbye.

I pulled back my head just enough so I could look up into his face. “Where’s Pasco?”

“Heading to rob the boat, is my guess.”

“And you?” I held my breath, scared of what his answer would be.

“I’m here. With you.” He cupped the back of my head and pressed my face to his shoulder, hugging me tightly. “You were right. I am a better man. I guess I needed to be reminded of that fact.”

“You’re staying?”

“I’m staying.”

Erik scooped me in his arms, cradling me securely against him. He carried me across the threshold into the house as a groom would carry his bride. I looped my arms around his neck and never wanted to let go.

“I’m sorry, Maya,” he said softly.

I didn’t know what to say. A man had never apologized to me before. So many firsts when it came to Erik.

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