Page 41 of Brake's Intent

“Somethings are better left unknown, Faye,” Rory states gently. “In the world we live in, a man does everything in his power to make sure the woman in his life never feels the burden of what we do.”

“I understand, but what I don’t get is, why not call?”

“Because phones are not always safe,” Finn answers, his eyes softening. “If it were anyone else, Faye, I wouldn’t give two shits. But you are more like a sister to me than a cousin. There are only so many people I actually care about. My wife, our kids, Rory, and you.”

“What about the men who work for you?” I ask, trying to make him smile.

“I care for them too but not in the same way as I do for those closest to me.” He smiles at me. “Now, let’s sit and wait for them to do what they need to.”

I nod and show them into the kitchen because I’m in serious need of coffee. I introduce them to Angelina, Nora, and Faith. The others were busy elsewhere, but I’m sure they’ll find their way in here.

“So, you are Tomas’s niece,” Finn says, shaking Angelina’s hand.

“Um, yeah,” she says, giving him a weary smile.

“Don’t worry, I already know the story,” Finn assures her, drops her hand, and glances over at Faith. “Is that chicory coffee I’m smelling?”

“Yeah, Axel’s dad went and got it for us this morning,” Faith answers. “Would you like some?”

“If you don’t mind. Nothing beats chicory coffee, even better when you add beignets.” Finn chuckles.

“I completely agree with you. Rico found out how much I love this coffee place in New Orleans, and instead of me going there, he brings it here. I think he’s scared that I’ll be shot again,” Faith explains, and I can’t help my eyes from widening because none of the ol’ ladies had mentioned any of them being shot. Well, I mean, I knew Lyrica’s story because she and I had gotten to know each other while I was taking care of Shawna.

“You were shot?” I blurt out.

“Yeah.” Faith nods. “It was scary, and I thought I’d lose the baby, but thankfully, that didn’t happen.” She goes on to tell me the rest of what happened, and I swear, if it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it. I’d have broken down, but Faith took control of her emotions and believed in her man, knowing he would never do anything to hurt her.

“Um . . .” I whisper.

“Oh, that’s nothing, I promise you,” Nora rattles off and tells us what happened with a guy named Miles and then, later on, some woman who kidnapped her. She ended up giving birth in the backseat of a truck.

“Uhh . . .” I mumble and look at Angelina. “Did anything horrible happen to you?”

Grinning, Angelina nods and explains what happened to her.

“I think I’m a little scared now.”

“Don’t be,” Angelina says softly. “Things happen in life. We all have to learn from what we go through, and everyone has been through a trauma of their own. But it’s because of the men we’re with that we can get through it and be happy.”

“Totally agree with you,” Nora remarks. “Without Breaker, I wouldn’t be able to have gotten past the pit of snakes.” She shudders at the mention of this part.

“Snakes?” I breathe, remembering the one at that house, and I feel myself paling. “I think I need to sit down.”

“Faye, you are,” Rory mutters and rubs my back. “You okay? What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, unable to get the sight out of my head. Walking up to the house, seeing those scary eyes. Finding Brake the way we did. That woman. Killing her with my hands. Glancing down, I hold my hands in front of me, and tears well in my eyes. I don’t regret what I did, I don’t.

“Oh shit, someone go get Brake and Lawson.”

I hear someone yell as I continue to stare at my hands.

“What’s going on?” Rory demands.

“I triggered something,” Nora says angrily, but I don’t know why. She didn’t do anything. “I shouldn’t have mentioned the snakes. Damnit, Breaker told me about Pocket last night.”

Pocket. That’s what they’d called the snake.

“Baby,” Lawson calls out, turning me on the stool by the counter to look at him. “Come on, Faye,” he says soothingly. “Calm down and remember it doesn’t matter anymore.”

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