Page 64 of Truth
As he exits, Gretchen turns her head to me, eyes bugging out of her head. “Do I want to that explained more clearly?”
“Absolutely not.”
“So, when you say dangerous, you didn’t mean like lethally hot, did you?” She crosses her arms.
“Nope.”
“Just tell me you’re happy, safe, and then I will go right back to ignorance is bliss.” I love her for being concerned, so I take her hands, uncrossing her arms, and look into her eyes seriously.
“I’m exactly where I belong. He’s my purpose and I’m his salvation. I couldn’t be happier with my choice.”
Her eyes get a little misty and then drift to Luca. “I want one too…” Her pout makes me smile as she wistfully stares.
I let go of her hands, garnering her attention again. “Wanna hear a fun story about Nick?” This is exactly the distraction we need.
We spend the next twenty minutes giggling about Nick and how badass my husband is. This entire day has felt like a month’s worth of days, but I definitely didn’t think it would end with me laughing with my best friend at my sadistic ex shaking in his boots.
George walks back in, taking his post at the seat next to the door and keeping his eyes trained on Luca. “The car will be here to take you home—you and Gretchen. Go get some rest, and I’ll stay with him.” I don’t like the demeanor; it makes me nervous.
“King is on his way?” My eyes search his face for any indication of the outcome, but he doesn’t look in my direction, so I press harder. “George, look at me. Is he okay? Tell me he’s all right.”
“He’s fine, Drew.”
I’m not reassured by his words or by my friend holding my hand. Something is off.
We gather our things, each saying goodbye to Luca, and head out of the room. George grabs my arm to stop me before I leave. “Take care of him. He’ll be strong for you, but I’ve known him a very long time, and he’s worked hard to leave his past. I fear today has drawn him back in.”
I throw my arms around his neck and give him a suffocating hug. “Thank you. You’re a good friend, George.”
I rejoin Gretchen and we head out of the hospital toward the exits. George’s words rattle around in my head, and I want to believe King can handle the demons without becoming one, but even I know better. Whatever he decided today, I’m either following him down to the pits of hell or trying to walk the balance between heaven and hell. Walking through the automatic doors, I see two black SUVs with heavily tinted windows waiting in line with each other. My husband stands at the first car, wearing a different shirt than he left in. Dante stands at the second car, also in new clothes. I can’t help but take in how incredibly alike the men seem. Both are strong, protective, and lethal. They could be brothers.
I walk to King’s offered arms, hugging him tightly. The smell of being freshly showered doesn’t go unnoticed, but I won’t ask, at least not yet. “I love you.”
“And I you, gorgeous.” He kisses the top of my head and rubs my back. “Dante will drive you to your car, Gretchen, or he can drive you and arrange for your car to be dropped to your place later today.”
Gretchen shifts back, looking over her shoulder. “If you guys wouldn’t mind, I’d like to stay with Luca for tonight. I’d just feel better being able to see him.”
There’s the shy again.
My smile is met with an eye roll from her, but King surprises me by saying, “Thank you. He said you were full of surprises; I would have to agree.”
I look at him, wondering what he knows that I don’t.
Gretchen just smiles and shrugs. I hug her, and she kisses my cheek. “I’ll call if anything happens.”
“Love you, G,” I call out to her back as she walks back in.
“Love you back, D.”
I climb into the car and wait for King to slide into the driver’s seat, but I watch in the side mirror as he walks to Dante and the two shake hands. Dante puts his arm on King’s shoulder, and they exchange what looks to be very serious words. King reaches and pats Dante’s cheek, causing the jacked look-alike to laugh. Men are confusing; one minute they want to tear each other apart, and the next they’re best friends.
King slides into the car and starts the engine. “Let’s go home, gorgeous. The house has been cleaned up, and the glass is repaired.”
“Okay, but you have a half hour to tell me everything. I know I said I wouldn’t ask, but I want all of you. I will live my forever with you with my eyes wide open. No secrets ever, King.”
He sits in silence for ten excruciating minutes, and then his mouth opens, spewing out all the horrible details, telling me how he and Dante took turns beating the three men, cracking their bones and torturing them until passed out, only to wake them and do it again. His knuckles turn white from the grip on the steering wheel as he retells the story, highlighting the cuts and bruises on them. He explains that their plan was to kill him and then threaten Sarah with the same if she didn’t give them access to all the money, but they were spooked by George’s car.
“The craziest part is she doesn’t have access to any money. I can’t think about the horrors she would have endured. It makes me regret not killing them.” His last sentence catches me off guard, and I twist in my seat to look at him, confused.
