Page 72 of Levi
“Are you still giving Halo her vitamins and taking yours as well?”Brody asks out of the blue as we walk back to the SUV, where Ryan is waiting to load us up.
“Yeah, why?”I ask.What a strange question, but maybe he’s just making sure we’re taking care of ourselves.
He looks down at his shoes and tugs on his shirt collar like he’s nervous.
“It’s just—” Brody starts to say.
“Saylor, you ready to go?We can’t miss our flight time,” Ryan interrupts as we approach the car, and Halo is tugging on his pant leg to make her fly.And of course, he scoops her up and throws her in the air.
“Yeah, we’re ready,” I say and turn to tell Brody bye.The conversation forgotten, I find myself in the biggest hug engulfed in Brody’s arms.His touch now feels foreign, but I try my best to let him have this one last thing.
“I truly am sorry Saylor.I love you more than you’ll ever know, and don’t want you to hate me.”
“I don’t hate you Brody.”I finally give in, squeezing him back.
A throat clears and I know Ryan is ready to get out of here.I’m sure he’s uncomfortable with Brody touching me and wants to step in, so I step out of his embrace.
“If you ever find yourself in LA or in Janesville, hit me up and we’ll have a coffee or something,” I offer but I hope it never comes.I don’t plan on ever seeing this man again.
He nods and I walk to the car, where Halo is already buckled, and hop in the front with Ryan behind the wheel.We pull out and I wonder if I’ll ever see Brody Jackson again.
My thoughts from earlier are interrupted, as Halo stands from the floor tossing her ball down the hallway then goes to chase it, as Ginger stays close by.I’m thankful that Glammy and Granddad are allowing us to stay here with them at their LA home and allowed us to bring the dogs with us.Following behind her to make sure she stays away from the kitchen, Halo bypasses that room and dashes out the front door, where someone left it cracked open.Rushing after her, I’m two steps out the door when Ryan sweeps her up.
“Thank you, Ryan!”I exclaim.“She’s getting faster every day.”
“No worries, Saylor.We’re staying closer for now,” he says, then tosses her up in the air to keep her from wiggling out of his arms.They are the best of buddies now and Ginger is slightly jealous of the attention Halo gives to Ryan.
I look out over the driveway, and find Mitch and Levi in a heated argument.I’ve never seen him be so aggressive with Mitch, and my legs move on their own accord towards them.The closer I get, the louder their voices carry towards me.
“You said he was dead!”Levi snaps and shoves a package into Mitch’s chest.“And that this was all over.”
“He is.I don’t—”
“What’s going on here guys?”I ask, wanting to break up this tense moment.
“Saylor—” Levi trails off, then wraps me in a bear hug, squeezing all the air out of my body.
“What’s going on, Levi?What could be so upsetting that you’d speak and yell at Mitch like that?”
“Oh, baby.I thought it was over but it’s not.”
“Levi, you’re not making any sense.What’s not over?”
“Where’s Halo?”he asks looking around, and I point over to the front door that is now closed and no sight of Ryan, Ginger or Halo.
“Please, listen to me.Nothing is going to happen to you or our daughter, I’d never let anything happen.”Levi gives me the most pleading look.
“Levi you’re scaring me,” I plead, and take a step back to give us both some breathing room.
“Don’t leave me, please,” he sounds like a child all of a sudden, and I know whatever it is it’s bad.
“Tell me.I can handle it, just tell me.”
Levi never takes his eyes from me and reaches out his hand to the package that Mitch is holding.He holds it to his chest like a spoiled child who doesn’t want to share his toys.Slowly, he lowers it and I look inside.
The first thing I notice is the perfect picture of the three of us walking hand in hand as a family.I actually think we should frame it.But then, the further down my eyes go, I see in big bold red letters a message at the bottom.
I told you what would happen if you didn’t leave them.Did you think I’d make empty threats?I’m coming for them; you and your security won’t see it in time.
