Page 34 of Mine to Keep

“I…” Matt hung his head. “Yeah, I read the reports. It was bad.”

“If we didn’t infiltrate, save JJ, and get him out of there…if we didn’t do all we did, he’d be dead, and innocent children would continue to be carted off to God knows where,” I said.

Matt slumped in his chair. “I don’t know what to do with all of this. I don’t know who is doing this, but I believe in different things than you all do. I won’t say anything to anyone about what you told me. In an odd way I understand why you’ve done what you have.” He stood and faced JJ. “You should do some leg and arm exercises today. I think it’s best I go.”

JJ lifted himself off Shep’s lap. “Are you quitting as my physical therapist?”

Matt sighed, his expression sad. “I don’t know, JJ. What you all told me, this is way out of my wheelhouse. It’s fun to watch movies and read books about vigilante justice, but it’s never been something I’ve wanted to be part of.”

“I really don’t want you to quit on me, Matt. I need you.”

He took JJ’s hands in his. “Maybe just give me a few days. I’ll come back on Friday and give you my answer, is that fair?”

He nodded. Matt released JJ’s hands and walked to the door, hiking his bag over his shoulder. When he faced the room, he looked so forlorn. “Thank you all for wanting to step up and help me. I meant what I said. I’ll keep my mouth shut about everything revealed here today. You’re good people trying to make a difference. I get that.”

“Matt, please.” I stepped toward him and he turned his head away.

“Thank you for caring so much, Nick. I gotta go now.” He opened the door and in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

“Well, that went well,” Angel huffed.

“Are we sure it’s safe that he knows about us?”

I turned to Gabe. “He promised he wouldn’t say anything, and I believe him.”

He held up his hands. “Calm down. My first priority will always be to protect this family against any and all threats. Right now, we need to make sure Matt isn’t one.” He pointed at me. “Since you brought this to us, you’re gonna track him and make sure he keeps his mouth shut.”

“I have a feeling my brother was gonna do that anyway.” Noel chuckled.

“You don’t interfere, Nick.” Shep stood. “If he wants our help, he knows we’ll do it. Until then, it’s his call. Just watch him.”

“And if while I’m watching him, he’s attacked by this psycho?” I folded my arms over my chest.

Shep narrowed his eyes. “Call 9-1-1. That’s who he’s putting his trust in right now.”

“Are you serious?” I yelled. “I’m supposed to sit back and call the cops?”

“Nick.” JJ moved closer to me. “He said no, and we have to honor that. At least you can watch him for a while. If he’s in trouble, call the police. He mentioned an Officer Mendez, right? So we have a point of contact.”

“This is bullshit,” I shouted.

“It’s how it’s done!” Angel stood and stomped over to me. “We offered, he refused. If we force ourselves on people, we’re no better than the ones that make them vulnerable. The offer is out there, like Shep says. You watch, you see anything bad, call the police. The end!” He poked my chest. “Don’t fuck with me.”

I glared at him and whipped his hand off me. “Fuck off.”

“Okay, guys. Let’s chill.” Mason slid between us, pushing us apart. “Nick, keep watch. Report to us anything you think we need to know.” Mason looked at Angel. “Four never asked forour help either, but think about what would have happened had we not done it anyway.”

Angel’s jaw clenched. “Fine. But we respect Matt’s wishes. Tell us if it gets worse. We can talk then.” Angel left the room, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thanks, Mason.”

“Yeah, but he and Shep are right. Matt did say no, so if he gets a note, a teddy bear, flowers, these aren’t reasons to intervene.”

“I get it.”

Mason placed a hand on my arm. “It’s going to be okay.”

I really hoped he was right.

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