Page 81 of Scar

“Well, he does, but it’s mostly cyber security. He wants to branch out, do more, and I’ve got the business know-how he’s looking for.”

Tally’s jaw dropped as Simone placed Tally’s phone back in her hand. “Wait, you and Keys are going into business together?”

“It’s not a done deal. Nothing’s been finalized,” Tom said in an excited rush. “Simone wanted to make sure you got settled okay in Mount Grove and I need to meet Keys in person.” Tom paused for a second, and because Tally knew him so well, assumed he shrugged. “Seemed like a good time to get the kids out of Atlanta for a few days too.”

Tally absolutely hated that she couldn’t argue that her father wasn’t a threat to his children.

“Plus Keys says he can make it so Grayson can stay with us,” Simone exclaimed. Tally heard something that made her think Simone had kissed Grayson’s hair.

Joy brought tears to her eyes. “That’s amazing, Si. Tom, I’m so happy for you. I hope it works out, if this is what you want.”

“It is. I haven’t been happy at work for a while, and Simone and I have been thinking of moving out of the city since Amelia was born, but she has always been hesitant because she didn’t want to leave you.”

Tally reached her hand behind her and Simone automatically grabbed it. Squeezing, she said, “I would have been fine, but I’m also grateful you stayed.”

Simone squeezed her fingers back. “Me too. So the kids and I are going to spend a lot of time looking around Mount Grove, checking out the school, and just getting a feel for the place. If Tom decides this is what he wants, I want to be ready.”

The rest of the ride to the airport was spent talking about Mount Grove and the real estate Simone had briefly looked at the night before after getting the kids packed. Tally was beyond ecstatic at the possibility that she didn’t have to leave Simone behind in Atlanta. She didn’t know what it was Keys was going to do, or might have already done, that would allow Grayson to stay with Simone and Tom permanently, but she was so grateful he was willing and able. During the days she’d spent in their house, she’d gotten to know Grayson better and had sensed first-hand the love Simone and Tom had for the little boy.

But maybe love was just that simple. Maybe it didn’t have to be complicated with explanations and clarifications. Maybe love, true love, justwas.

Tally’s nerves over flying for the first time settled as soon as she knew her best friend and her family were coming with her. But the long walk through the crowded airport, getting through security, and then to their gate, followed by the wait to board while Tom tried to get Tally’s ticket swapped so she could sit next to them… All she could think about was Scar.

Where was he? Was he okay? What had happened to him? What would happen once he was out? Would he need medical care? What would her father do in retaliation?

And more importantly, did Scar feel the same way as she did?

Tally was packing up her entire life knowing howshefelt. She knew how shethoughthe felt, what shehopedhe felt. But there was so much that hadn’t been said between them, and she wasn’t referring to Scar’s inability to speak.

Needing to feel something of his, Tally reached into her carry-on and gripped the leather of his cut.

It wasn’t until they landed in Pittsburgh hours later and were in line with all their baggage to pick up their rental car that Tally’s phone rang.

“Call from Sissy … Call from Sissy …”

Tally scrambled to answer the phone. “Sissy? What’s happening? Where are you? Is he okay?”

Silence greeted her. Tally waited a heartbeat, but she knew.

“Scar?” Tears flowed from her eyes down her cheeks. Tally’s grip on her phone tightened, her entire body shaking. She felt a hand on her back and knew it was Simone. “Scar, I’m coming. We’re in Pittsburgh and getting a car. I’ll be to you in a few hours.”

In the crowded, noisy airport, it was difficult to hear but Tally swore her sensitive ears picked up ragged breathing on the other end.

“It’s fine,” she assured him. “Don’t try to speak. Save your strength and just know that I’m coming.” Her voice broke as she clarified, “I’m coming home to you.”

There was a bit of rustling on the other end and then she heard Sissy’s soft voice. “I don’t know what you said to him but thank you. He’s finally relaxing. Fuck, I think he might even be asleep.”

“How is he?” Tally felt Simone’s hand leave her back and a second later the softness of a tissue was pressed into her hand. Tally worked to wipe her eyes, but only more tears seemed to fall. She was so grateful to Scar’s family for getting him out, but fear also gripped her at what condition he might be in. She was under no delusions that his time inside Primis had been equivalent to a relaxing spa day.

Sissy hesitated. “I’m not going to lie. He’s in rough shape. Aunt Tessa’s got him hooked up to an IV. She and Uncle Bear are working on him. Uncle Keys has this high tech van he outfitted. Part of it is like an ambulance, which I’ve never been more grateful for.”

Tally sniffled, trying to ground herself. Scar did not need her falling apart right now. He needed her to be strong. “How far away are you?”

“About three hours. We’re having to drive carefully and take different routes, but we have the most direct one.” No doubt they had to take multiple cars. Tally didn’t know how many of the club had gone to Washington, D.C., and she assumed a caravan of vehicles might look suspicious to authorities coming in or out of the nation’s capital.

“You’ll probably beat us there.” From the sound of it, there were still a lot of people in line ahead of them to the rental car counter. “Will you call me again if he wakes up?”

“Of course. I’ll text you if there’s any changes.”

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