Page 42 of From the Flames
KEVIN HADsidestepped Willy’s question because he hadn’t seen it coming and because he wondered if Willy was getting tired of him, but he couldn’t keep his questions to himself forever.
“What is it you want?” Kevin asked Willy that night after the kids were asleep.
“Me? What about you?” Willy asked.
“Are you getting tired of me? Do you want me to go? I can. I mean, I’m doing fine, and I’ll be back to work soon.”
It was Willy’s turn to cough. “No, I’m not tired of you. And for whatever reason, you fit with this little family. The kids think the world of you, and I….” He left another of those Willy pauses that made Kevin wonder what he was really thinking. “Are we going too fast? A few days ago we were talking about taking things slow, and now we’ve spent the majority of the time we’ve known each other living together and even sleeping together. I don’t think this is the way things are supposed to work.” Sometimes Willy was so conventionally cute.
“I get that. I really do. But it’s how things seemed to work out. You stepped in to help me when I needed you.”
“And you did the same for me when you barely knew me and the kids. But I guess I need to know where things go from here. You’re feeling better, and I guess I figured you would be ready to go back to your own life—or something that resembled what you had before we came crashing through it.”
Kevin rolled his eyes. “Do you know what I had before I met you? Work—and more work. I didn’t have a life, not really. You saw my house. It was largely empty because I was never there. I worked a lot and was always the guy willing to take an extra shiftbecause someone needed it. Now I have you and the kids and a chance at a life I thought was only for other people. I figured I’d go home tomorrow because I have to get used to being on my own again.”
Willy snickered. “That’s why I was asking—so I could get used to being on my own again.”
Kevin shook his head. “Then we can play it by ear. There aren’t any rules about how things are supposed to work. It’s just you and me and how we want to go forward.” He paused as the front door jangled. He continued listening and then went to the old mail slot next to the door. A piece of paper had been pushed through, and Kevin picked it up by a corner.
Back Off or Else! Anyone Can Get Burned!was written in black block letters like the other note.
“What is it?” Willy asked as he came in. Then he saw the note. “What the heck is going on? Do you think Frankie did this?”
“No. This is different, and I think it’s directed at me.” Kevin set down the page before picking up the phone to call Carter. “Maybe the first one was too.”
Carter answered with, “What’s up?”
“We received another threatening note. I thought the first one was sent by Frankie, but I don’t think he would be dumb enough to leave a note after our conversation today.”
“Do you have both of them?” Carter asked.
“I have the one we just received. Unfortunately Benjamin got hold of the first one and decided it was a chew toy. I only touched the corner of this one. Do you or Red want to stop by and get it?” Kevin was getting really angry. Just when one thing seemed settled, another popped up.
“How is Willy taking it?”
“That’s the thing. I think this one is aimed at me, which means that I’ve been followed.” He wasn’t sure what he thoughtabout that. “And it means that because I’ve been staying with Willy since my accident, I’ve brought this mess to his door. We have to get to the bottom of it fast.”
“I’ll come by first thing in the morning to get the note. You keep all the doors and windows locked. I’m going to put out a note for the night patrols to make their presence known in your area. If someone is watching, that will give them pause.”
“I hope so.”
Carter told Kevin to stay alert, and they ended the call. There was nothing more he could do. Kevin thought about going home right now, but that would only leave Willy and the kids alone in the house. It was safer with all of them together.
He checked all the windows and doors, making sure everything was locked, including the gate to the yard. Then he explained what Carter had said to Willy.
“It’s okay. We have this.”
“Yeah, we do. I’ll stay out here tonight, and you go on to bed.”
“No.” Willy took his hand. “Come on. It’s late and we’re both tired. And I want a night with you.” He led Kevin to his room and closed the door.
“Do you think this is a good idea?” Kevin asked softly.
Willy let go of his hand and turned to him. “Nothing is going to happen to any of us as long as you’re here.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because you will move heaven and earth to make sure we’re all safe. Well, I think it’s time that someone looked after you the same way you watch over all of us. So tonight, after I rock your world, we’ll keep the door open and listen.” Willy drew closer. “I think it’s time we figure this shit out, and then we can get our heads around what’s happening between us.”
