Page 13 of Wanted

Yeah, I would much ratherbe on this side of the fence.

~9~

Alek

Sara was recovering quite nicely, although her impatienceincreased with each passing day. I had to remind her the process was going totake time, but there were days when she didn’t want to hear any of it. So Ibacked off and gave her my unwavering support.

Frustration was certainly a new emotion for my woman. Well, whenI wasn’t the cause for it, at least. When she couldn’t lift something or extendher arm to grab an object from a shelf, she would grunt, grimacing inaggravation. I tried my best to remind her pushing herself too fast wasn’t asmart choice. Some days, she would listen to me and others, well, she ignoredme as if I hadn’t said anything at all.

She couldn’t stand relying on others for help, especially at work,a place where she was really hindered. I never thought I would be so thankfulshe had Matt there to help her. He’d really stepped up as her friend, and as anemployee. He constantly went above and beyond for her, opening up the shop inthe early morning hours as well as closing up late whenever she deemed she’dhad enough for the day.

After witnessing more interactions between the two of them, Irealized the way he looked at Sara was exactly how I’d looked at my sister Mia.A brother to a sister, full of love and adoration, and my favorite emotion ofall…protectiveness.

While Sara was struggling with her physical limitations, I wasdoing my best to go back to the way things were before she was taken from me,but I found it difficult. Samuel’s death was not the issue. While there was aninnate feeling deep inside me at the memory of taking another man’s life, itwasn’t guilt or remorse. I thanked God every day I woke up and that bastardwasn’t alive. Never having to worry about her safety where he was concerned wasa huge relief. I think the emotion which crept up now and again was…surprise. I’dobviously never been the cause for someone else taking their last breath.But whenever the odd sensation arose, Iremembered the crazed look in his eyes as he mumbled, ‘They’ll seeI’m better one day. They’ll let me out and I’ll come back for her.’Once the memory rushed forward, I pushedeverything aside and focused on Sara and her recovery.

The real issue which plagued me was ever since I stepped foot intoher shop on that beautiful, fateful day, I’d inadvertently put her in danger.

Before she met me, she was safe. I’d made sure she was protectedall those years. But since the day I’d made the selfish decision to force myway into her life, she’d had one encounter after another, thankfully none ofthem fatal.

I knew I had a decision to make, and the thought it was going toultimately crush us both, ending life as we knew it, made my soul weep at theinevitable.

~~~~

“Hey, hey. What’s the goodword, my man?” Kael sang out as soon as I uttered my greeting into the phone.

“Not too much,” I replied, forever thankful my good friend hadmoved back to Seattle. I’d known Kael since we were young boys. We wereinseparable most of our lives, but his job took him to California years before,the only communication between us being a phone call every so often. Luckily, ourtime apart had been short-lived.

I didn’t normally talk about my feelings, except with Sara, but Iknew I needed to bounce some things off Kael. He was the perfect sounding boardbecause I knew he wouldn’t judge me. He might give me advice I didn’t want tohear, or tell me when I was being an ass, but he would listen and hear me out.

“What time did you want tomeet up tonight?” I asked, counting down the hours until I could gain someoneelse’s perspective on my issue. I’d already informed Sara I was going out for acouple of drinks after work. At first, she was only too happy to hear I’d madeplans. Admittedly, I was slightly offended she wanted to get rid of me so quickly,but after she explained her reasoning, I wasn’t so pissy. She hated I’d beenfawning all over her for the past few weeks, never taking a night for myself. Sowhen she’d heard I was going to be spending some much needed time with Kael,she was thrilled.

“Whatever time you can pry yourself away from work is good forme,” he answered.

“Okay, how about I meet you at seven? At Billson’s?”

“I can pick you up if you want and we can go together,” heoffered, a slight twinge of humor to his voice.

“This isn’t a fucking date.” He laughed at my outburst. “I’llmeet you there.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Plus, you’re not my type,” he jokedbefore hanging up the phone.

Still smiling, I dialed Sara’s number. I’d bought her a new phonedue to her other one being destroyed. Soon after she’d become lucid in thehospital, she asked me how I’d ever found her and I had to tell the truth. Itwas because of the tracker I’d put in her phone after I learned of Samuel’srelease. She never argued with me, a small smile appearing on her lovely facebefore she drifted off to sleep. This time around, I made sure to ask her if itwas all right if a device was installed on her new phone. Without hesitationshe agreed; the added comfort of me being able to find her if she ever neededme was what made her comply.

“Hi, honey,” she answered on the second ring. I could tell fromthe rushed tone of her voice she was busy but wanted to at least talk for a fewminutes. It drove me nuts when she didn’t answer her phone and instead of usarguing over it, she did a great job of placating me. I would have thoughtafter eliminating the one real threat in her life I would have calmed down, butif anything I became even more protective. I couldn’t understand it myself, sotrying to explain it to Sara was near impossible.

“Hey, babe. How’s your day going?”

“Good. Busy, but good. I really need to hire someone to help outaround here. Matt and I are struggling these days. We have a couple of part-timersto help with deliveries, but it’s not enough.” Blowing out a frustrated breath,she continued with, “Thankfully, business is booming, but we’re a littlestressed. Plus, not having the full use of my arm yet is hampering me evenmore.” I heard her call out to Matt about an order before she came back on thephone. “Sorry, Alek, but I can’t talk now. Can I give you a call later on?”

“Sure thing. But remember I’m meeting up with Kael for a coupleof drinks, so how about I swing by your place afterwards?”

“Sounds great to me. And Alek?”

“Yeah.”

“Please have fun. You worry too much.”

“I’ll try. For you, I’ll try.”

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