Page 80 of Sweet Sin

“You changed your mind that quickly?” Leif says.

I place Sammy on the ground and he scurries toward his mother. “I’m not leaving. This is my home. I need to be here for my family. For Raven. For Eagle.”

“I know. You’ve always been a family man, Fal. But the resources are available if you need them.”

“What’s the cost? Just in case, I mean.”

“It’s a bundle, but you can afford it.”

“Yeah, I can.”

“It’s a last resort, though, man. If you do it, you can’t ever come back.”

“I’m not going back into the slammer for killing that asshole. I’d do it to protect Savannah in a minute, but not for any other reason. The only way I’d take you up on that offer is if they come after me and I know she’s protected.”

“She is already. Her guy lived. The most she could get is battery, and it was in self-defense.”

“I know. But if they find out…”

“Don’t forget that her family has resources as well. Resources you probably have no clue about. Mafia organizations have been getting around the law for centuries. They’ve got police officers, DA’s, and judges on their payroll. Savannah will be fine.”

“I hope you’re right. I hate that she’s a part of this.”

“I understand.”

Leif’s statement is simple, but the truth lies in his countenance. He does understand. It’s in the contentment in his eyes, the lack of rigidity in his jawline. He’s been through hell, but he came out the other side and found the love of his life.

I nod. “I think, in your way, you do understand.”

“I do. Kelly’s situation is completely different, but I hate what she’s been through, what she was forced to be a part of. And I agree. I’d mow down anything in my way to protect her from any of that coming back to haunt her. Her so-called father and brother are dead now, thank God, and her mother is a non-issue.”

“And Derek Wolfe’s island…”

“Some stragglers exist. Those who had enough money to buy their way out of prosecution or pay to have their names removed from the FAA manifests. Or who were traveling under aliases and escaped the radar. But they know better than to go after any of those women. Besides, Kelly’s main aggressor turned out to be her own brother.”

“That’s fucked up, man.”

“You’re telling me.” Leif shakes his head. “I saw some nasty-ass shit on my tours, but I swear to God, some of the nastiest stuff in the world took place on that island from hell.”

Kelly joins us on the front porch. “Hey,” she says. “I think we should go, Leif. Savannah’s hitting a wall.”

Leif rises. “I get it. This has been a lot for her to handle.”

I shake his hand. “I’ll be in touch. I’m sure I’ll be hauled in for questioning tomorrow.”

Leif nods. “No doubt. You got an attorney?”

“Yeah. My father’s got many on payroll. I’ll be covered.”

“They couldn’t cover you the last time, though…”

I sigh. “Don’t think I haven’t forgotten that. But they won’t make an example of me twice. Not in this lifetime.”

I wave as Leif and Kelly drive away, and then I take the dogs and go inside to see to Savannah.

24

SAVANNAH

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