Page 87 of All for her Forgiveness

She's so shaken that she doesn't even protest.

Her head is resting on my chest, and she squeezes my hand. I feel hers is cold, but gradually, her breathing calms.

I pick up my phone again and call Ernest.

"Hades, we're safe," he says as soon as he answers, and I'm surprised at how quickly Beau got them out of there. "I'm heading to your friend's house."

"And King?"

"He wasn't too happy about being woken up from his afternoon nap, but he's watching cartoons while the driver takes us."

"You can trust him."

"I know. The man said he was sent by Beau Carmouche-LeBlanc. I wasn't born in New Orleans, but I've lived here for almost a decade and I know that not a leaf falls to the ground in this state without his authorization."

I'm sure he has no idea that we were attacked, or he wouldn't sound so calm.

"I want to talk to him," Kennedy requests.

"One moment, Ernest. Kennedy wants to talk to you."

Without any ceremony, I put the phone on speaker because I want to hear the conversation.

"Ernest, promise me King is okay."

"What's wrong, love? Has something happened that I don't know about yet?"

I shake my head, and she understands.

"No, we're fine. I just wanted to make sure you're safe, too."

"We are, but don't think I believe what you're telling me. I can tell by your tone when you're nervous."

"I'll feel better when I can hug both of you," she says with a trembling voice. "Can you pass the phone to King?"

We hear Ernest say, "Here, my boy, your mommy wants to talk to you."

"Mommmyyyyyyy . . ."

"Yes, it's me, my baby!" Contrary to what I expected, that he wouldn't understand anything when Ernest handed him the phone, he starts making excited noises and "talks" to Kennedy.

Out of every ten words, we understand two, and about five minutes later, she hangs up and looks at me, tears in her eyes. "Promise me that if something happens to me, you'll take care of him and won't let him forget me."

"I promise, but nothing's going to happen to you. I won't let it. You're mine."

"I'm not. I hate you."

I hold her tightly, locking her in a hug. "Keep hating me, Kennedy. I don't care, as long as you never leave me."

Half an hour later, we arrive at Beau's property, a veritable fortress on the outskirts of New Orleans.

I see Amber, his wife, walking towards us with King in her arms and Ernest beside her. Kennedy lets go of me and runs to them while Beau approaches.

"I'm sorry for what happened," he says.

"It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was. This is my city. It's a pity the bodyguards killed the attackers. I would have enjoyed interrogating them."

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