Page 93 of Bleeding Hearts
“You don’t need to,” his father responds, “nor do I expect you to forgive me. I just want . . . I just want to help.”
Skylar stands, taking Bones’s hand, but he lets him speak. “Fine,” Bones finally responds. “Help us stop this bastard and keep my family safe.”
In the end, we are allowed to leave. Bones’s father stays to help with the investigation, and we are escorted by police officers just in case, so we all decide to stay at Alek’s. It’s weird being home. I hesitate in the living room, and Alek crosses his arms.
“It’s been a long day, go get some rest. I will wait to yell at you until tomorrow.” He drops his arms and drags me into a bear hug. It’s then I sense the slight shake in his body. “Don’t ever take off on me like that again, please.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell him as he pulls back and grabs Lally to hug her too, the surprise on her face comical.
“Or you. We don’t do heroic shit around here alone, okay?” He shoves her away. “Go, both of you, to bed,” he orders.
“Yes, Dad.” She salutes before winking at Evan. “I would call him Daddy, but I have a feeling you already do.”
I gag as she grins at me before taking my hand, and then we head upstairs. My room is still as I left it, and I collapse onto thebed. Lally flops down next to me, turning her head to meet my gaze.
“No more heroics or doing things alone,” I tell her. “Don’t do that to me.”
“I wanted to keep you safe,” she whispers.
“I know, and I love you for that, but if you aren’t safe . . .” Shaking my head, I shiver in horror, and she pulls me closer. “I was so scared that I wasn’t going to be fast enough. Please don’t ever do that to me again.”
“I won’t. I promise. It’s over. Get some sleep. I’ll be right here, baby,” she says as she kisses my forehead and drags me into her arms. I soak in her warmth, still shivering in fear, but she holds me through it until I finally let go and drift off.
When I wake up, Lally is gone, and I panic. Throwing on a cardigan, I hurry out of my room and run downstairs, but when I hear their voices, I relax.
I can’t help but stop and smile as I look around the kitchen. Alek is bustling around the stove, cooking. Evan is helping him. They share smiles and move with comfortable familiarity. Bones is reading a newspaper while Skylar stares at him adoringly. Lally sits at the table, and she turns as if sensing me, holding her hand out.
As I head her way and take it, letting her pull me into my seat, I feel like crying.
Our house is so full, fuller than it has ever been, and I want us to be together like this every day.
Lally picks up my hand and kisses the back of it as she laces her fingers with mine. I was so scared yesterday. There was a moment when I thought I was going to be too late and I would lose her. That will haunt me until the day I die.
Losing her is the only thing in this world that scares me.
Alek sits as he passes out plates, and Evan perches on his lap. I look around at this family I found, one brought togetherthrough hardships and spilled blood. We have suffered to get here, but I know we can get through anything.
I always grieved for the family I would never have, but I’ve finally found it. Moreover, so has the love of my life. Lally finally has a family who cares for her, who will always come for her, and that makes me happier than anything else.
“We’re talking after breakfast,” Alek warns us, and Lally and I groan, but when I catch her smiling, I can’t help but mirror it. She will take being told off by him anytime, as long as he doesn’t stop. He isn’t just my father figure—he’s hers too.
“Oh, you’re in trouble,” Skylar teases. “Best of luck.”
“Mommy,” Lally whines as she looks at Evan. “Daddy is being mean. I suffered recently, so I should be pampered.”
Evan scoffs as he sips the coffee Alek holds out for him. When he’s done, Alek wipes his lips and drinks from the same mug. “Don’t look at me. I’m mad as hell too.”
“All this stress isn’t good for the baby.” Lally sighs, and every head swings in her direction, including mine.
“What baby?” Alek roars. “Did you cheat on my sister?”
“Me. I’m the baby.” Lally points at herself then sobers up. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what was happening.”
“It’s not all on you,” I interject before they can go off on her. I know it comes from love, but I don’t want her to be upset. “I didn’t tell them either.”
“Neither did I,” Bones adds.
I grin. “I guess we all fucked up.”
