Page 55 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
“Ipromise.”
“Good,now take me back and fuck me.”
* * * *
Ourweek in Florida flies by. Zoe spends the days on the beach or doing things withthe boys while I sleep in and get some work done on my laptop. In the evenings,we swim in the hotel pool with the moonlight twinkling on the water, eat at adifferent restaurant every night, and spend half the night screwing our brainsout.
“Bestvacation ever,” Zoe mumbles, resting her head on my chest on the plane ridehome. The plane I chartered gets us home a few hours before sunrise. Ethan andhis friend stumble into Zoe’s apartment, still half asleep. Waking a teenagerin the middle of the night is like waking a toddler, they both have that zombiestare going on.
“They’llbe out in five minutes,” Zoe laughs, throwing her arms around my neck.
“You’dbetter get some sleep too. I know you have a lot to do.”
“Ishould. I want to get settled in my new house before I go back to schoolMonday.”
“Ican come tonight and help.”
“Thanks,but we don’t have much. I’m getting new furniture, so we’re only taking ourclothes, housewares, and stuff. Frannie’s coming over to help today. Will yoube able to move back to your house soon?”
“Hopefullythis week. I plan to go check on the repairs tonight.”
Shesmiles up at me. “Want to come and have a gourmet dinner of pizza with us?”
“I’dlove to.” She walks me to the door and gives me a kiss. It’s clear she wishes Ididn’t have to leave, but it’ll be light soon. This is the first time since Iwas a kid that my condition has bothered me. I got used to my routine anddidn’t feel like things were much different for me than most people, but now Ifeel limited. Like I’m missing out. She wants me to stay. I want to stay, butit can’t happen. I may take her up on her offer to light proof her new housewith blackout curtains.
Myhotel room seems so empty after a week of her company, and the bed feels toobig without her. I toss and turn for over an hour before sleep finally comesfor me.
Iget a call that wakes me in the late afternoon from the construction companyworking on my house. The roof has been repaired and while they still have somepainting to do, I can move back in. Thank fuck. Believe it or not, no matterhow luxurious, hotel rooms suck after a few weeks. As soon as it’s late enough,I’m headed back home.
Therenovations have gone well and Justus has been there to install all the outletsand wiring we need for ISH, plus get our high speed wifi up and running withall the protections that mask our activities. The expanded office looks great.We can now easily fit all our computers and equipment. ISH has a new home.
Ialso had them install UV blocking windows since I know the guys won’t want tosit in the dark any more than Zoe did. On the next place I purchase, I’ll havethem installed too, so she won’t feel so closed in. I’m used to the sun beingmy enemy, so I haven’t bothered with it until now, but I guess it is nice tobrighten the place up.
Dare,Justus, and Jeremy are all at my house when I pull into the drive. They’rewasting no time moving our operation from Dare’s little apartment. “Hey, theraisin is back!” Justus exclaims.
“Fuckoff stripper.”
“Hehates me because I’m beautiful,” he says to Dare, who rolls his eyes.
“Speakingof beautiful, where is that pretty little thing you brought to poker night?”Justus asks, taking a seat in his desk chair.
“I’mmeeting her for dinner in a couple of hours. As a matter of fact, I need totalk you guys about Zoe.”
Darestudies me, his eyes on mine. “How much have you told her?”
“Afterwe stepped in to help her brother’s friend, she figured out most of it on herown. She knows we work outside of the law sometimes.”
Justusruns a hand through his hair and gets right to the point. “Does she know wekilled the bastard?”
“Sheknows I did. I didn’t tell her anything that would put the rest of you at risk,but you should know I trust her. She had no problem with what I did. She thinkschild molesters should get the death penalty and has no compunction about whocarries it out, other than not wanting me to get caught.”
Darebreaks the silence after a few minutes. “You’re pretty serious about thischick, yeah?”
“She’sthe one.”
“Ifyou trust her, that’s good enough for me,” Dare announces.
Jeremynods at me, looking pleased.
