Page 138 of Clean Slade
I knew what that meant very well. But I was done with the life. I didn’t want to be its king.
“Here.” I shoved the gun in my brother’s hand and squeezed it shut. “Take it.”
Nino hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Are you going to leave me alone? Are you going to let me live my life in peace?”
“Of course.” Nino swallowed. “I’m not our father.”
“Then you did this. The throne is yours.”
“Only on one condition,” he answered, glancing at Parker and Maddox, and my feet went cold.
What had I just done?
“What is it?”
Nino pulled the gun close and stared right at me.
“That you don’t disappear again. I’d like my brother back. I’d like to have you back in my life. And I’m sure Grams would appreciate it too.”
“I can live with that. As long as you leave the business where it belongs.”
He put his hands up and acted all innocent.
“Mayberry is off limits,” he said, and unlike with my father’s promises, I actually believed him.
Handing him the gun was like handing him whatever courage I had and my adrenaline dropped as I collapsed on the floor.
It was over. It had all happened so fast, so unexpectedly, but it was over. It was all over. I didn’t even notice Nino leave the room or Parker and Maddox put a throw over my dad’s dead body, but my ears perked at the sound of car doors closing.
I dragged myself to the window and saw him, saw her. I could just about explode at the sight of them clinging onto each other.
I made a mad dash for the door and tripped on my porch, but I couldn’t care any less. I needed her. I needed her in my arms now. As I did Slade. My Slade. My guardian angel.
“Daddy—” Mac started before I pulled her in my arms with a painful crush.
The tears threatened to come back ten-fold but it only took a look at him, at the man that had risked everything times ten, to hold back and hold on.
I couldn’t believe it was over. Even as I held onto her, I couldn’t believe it was over. That we were done with that life. For good.
“Daddy, what’s wrong? What is everyone doing here?” Mac asked, but I didn’t let her go.
“I…erm…a pipe broke, sweetie. They’re here to fix it,” I told her.
“Yeah, Mac. They’ll be here a while. We might as well go for ice cream. Would you like some ice cream?” Slade asked, squeezing Mac’s shoulder and his fingers brushed my cheek for a few moments.
They may not be a hug, but they were enough. They were what I needed to believe the truth. That we didn’t have to hide anymore. We didn’t have to run anymore. We didn’t have to give up our home.
“Thank you,” I mouthed at him.
It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough. Nothing ever would, considering what he’d done for me. But I was happy to spend the rest of my life showing him just how grateful I was for saving my heart and soul.
“I love you,” I said out loud, staring at him. Even that wasn’t enough.
“I love you too, Daddy,” Mac answered and I squeezed her harder as Slade mouthed the words back to me.
From darkness into light with a gorgeous man and a simple I love you.
