Page 37 of Guardian

Jackson jerked back and answered, “That’s a dumb question. Of course, you can come in. Tell him how stupid that question is, Mom. We’ve been waiting for him for a whole week, haven’t we?”

“Is he right? Have you been waiting for me?” Sweet asked.

“You left us without news, Sweet. It’s not like we can get information on how everyone is off the news channels. The only thing they show is that all those trafficked women were found in bad shape, and all of them refused to name their captors and their rescuers. I understand the last part, but why not name Aguilar?”

“Fear of retaliation,” Sweet answered. “They want to go home or at least somewhere safe. Nobody wants to have Aguilar hunting them down. Is news the only reason you were waiting for me?”

I stared down at my feet, shuffling them due to my nervousness. Without looking up I admitted, “No, it’s not. Come in. Have a drink. We have some talking to do. That’s why you finally showed up, right?

I heard his heavy footsteps along with Jackson’s softer ones come closer. I gasped when I felt his roughened hand cup my icycheek and lift my head so that I was forced to look him in the eyes, those beautiful blue eyes with the long lashes.

“Yes, we need to talk. I’m sorry you had to wait so long. It was unavoidable. I’ll take that drink if you don’t mind,” he replied while he seemed to be searching my soul for an answer to all life’s questions.

I went to the kitchen to open us some beers while Jackson spent a few minutes chatting with Sweet. I hated that I’d have to make him go to his room so that Sweet and I could settle things. This might be the last time they’d see one another. I closed my eyes for a moment and prayed that wasn’t the case. The three of us needed each other.

I returned to see Jackson leaving the room. He turned back as he reached the hallway to the bedrooms and said, “After you and Mom talk maybe we can play a video game. I’ve got a new console. It’s awesome!”

“We’ll see what your mom says. It’s up to her,” Sweet told him.

“You sent him away. I was planning to do that,” I said, handing Sweet his beer.

“I figured if he was going to be mad it was better that he be mad at me instead of you. He’s not mad, though. I think he understands more than we realize,” Sweet stated.

“He’s not a child anymore, especially after what he just went through. It makes me sad that he’s had to grow up faster than most kids. He’s handling it well, though.”

“He’s got a great mom. You’ve been there for him no matter what you were dealing with, and it shows by the way he behaves. He’s gonna grow up just fine. There are other things we need to discuss besides Jackson. I just don’t know where to begin now that I’m here,” Sweet said.

I sighed and replied, “Where have you been for a week? We can start with that.”

“Prime thought it best that we lay low for a while. The cops were asking too many questions about the explosion and the trafficked women. Even though none of it happened here they were still looking at us closely. They always do when something of that nature happens. I didn’t call because if they looked into our phone records, with or without a warrant, it would lead them to you and Jackson. We also had to attend the private funeral for Kirill. He died helping us, so it was a matter of respect as well as diplomacy.”

“I assume Petrov wants the Sinners to pay in some manner,” I answered.

Sweet nodded. “Rage has to find a way for us to make double runs to Mexico for three months to pay for his help. Each run has to bring back double cargo and half the money earned from that cargo must go to Kirill’s widow to help her pay off her house and feed her kids. After three months the mafia will take over her care.”

“He’s going to need your help, isn’t he?” I asked.

“Probably, but that’s my worry not yours.”

“Every time you go on a run like that there’s the possibility of getting caught, either in Mexico or here. I can’t help but worry,” I replied.

His face tensed up and the nerve in his cheek began to twitch. I was afraid he was about to tell me his wellbeing was no longer my concern, and I didn’t want to hear it just yet. So, I cut him off before he could say anything. I even changed the subject.

“Tell me how everyone’s doing. Rage was burned. Stretch was shot, and you got cut. Vikki delivered a baby and she’s just a child herself. I’d like to have the ending to the saga.”

“Stretch is out of the hospital. He’s doing much better. There’s no permanent damage to his lungs, but healing will take months. Rage is great. The skin on his leg is barely scarring. He’s lucky, and he’s bragging about delivering a baby, although he didn’treally do much except catch it. I’ve go another scar to go with all the rest. Remember, I’m a tough guy. Vikki is confused and scared. She and her friend Liz have been given sanctuary at the clubhouse for now. I get the impression that she may not keep the baby.”

“It sounds like the Sinners have everything under control. Would you like another beer?” I asked, turning to walk away before he saw the tears in my eyes. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stall for time any longer, and my heart was already breaking.

Sweet’s hand wrapped around my upper arm and stopped me from leaving. “Stop running from me and changing the subject. I want to know what’s going on in your head and what you’re feeling.”

“I’m feeling too much, that’s what I’m doing. My head and my heart can’t agree on anything. I’m lost inside my own body. I don’t know what to say until you let me know what you came to say.”

He made a sound of deep frustration, then he spoke. “It seems we’re having the same trouble. I tried to gather my thoughts and make up a pretty speech on my way here, but I couldn’t.”

“I don’t need a pretty speech. I need the truth. If you’re here to dump us, then just say so. I’d rather you got it over with. Rip off the damn bandage!” I yelled in his face.

“Dump you?! Why the hell would you think that? I’m here to beg your damn forgiveness. I want the chance to plead my case and ask that you give me and the Sinners another chance, flaws and all. I know you hate what we do, and I can’t change that. But damn it to hell, I love you! I won’t give you up without a fight.”

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