Page 102 of Witness Protection

He took Sophia’s hand and cautiously made his way to his car in a nearby alleyway. “You okay?”

She reminded him of the way she acted on the day of her father’s murder, zoning out completely. When she didn’t respond, he picked up the pace. He strapped her into the passenger seat and got in the driver’s side. Cayden was already behind him, revving his engine. It felt good to have backup.

They got back to the hotel, the one they should have been at all morning. Cayden had really fucked things up, but Hawk’s record wasn’t the greatest, so he kept his mouth shut.

“Now what?” asked Cayden. “How the hell are we going to get an audience with the boss man?”

“I’ll think of something,” said Hawk. “We don’t need to do anything tonight. Sophia’s been through enough.”

Cayden turned to look at her curled up on the corner of the sofa, staring out the windows.

“The house sold for just under asking price. The Morenov Empire is gone, and everything is in the process of getting liquidated,” said Hawk. “Once we deal with Antonio Jr., we’re free. All of us.”

“And then what?” asked Cayden, keeping his voice low so Sophia couldn’t overhear.

“No one read fairy tales to me. All I know is Sophia wants a different life than this, a cute little house, security, and apparently both of us fucking her.”

Cayden’s jaw clenched. “She wants the happily ever after, and she needs to paint again.”

“You’re right,” said Hawk. “We’ll finish this and give her what she deserves.”

It was unnerving how they thought so alike. Hawk began to realize he wanted Cayden to be part of their lives. He wanted their triad to work.

They both kept turning to check on her.

“And us? Her whole fantasy with the three of us. You think that’s realistic?”

“I can’t say no to her.”

Cayden nodded. “I’m not fucking you, if that’s what you’re hoping for.” He smirked.

Hawk shoved him. “Keep your dick to yourself.”

“So, we’re doing this. Okay,” said Cayden. There was a new air of acceptance around him. The usual resistance was nowhere to be found. “We’ll have to get eyes on the mansion. Tail the family. Let’s give it a couple days. Sophia’s been through too much.”

“I’ll get in touch with my contacts. And we have some girls working for the Barettis.”

“This morning has been a bit of heaven and a bit of hell. I’m taking a shower. Can you order pizza?”

****

Cayden wouldn’t say anything to Hawk, but he was getting used to the high life. Living in the posh hotel for the past couple days was growing on him. He couldn’t complain about being holed up with Sophia, and the constant stream of room service was his kind of living. It was better than his empty fridge and fending for himself every day.

They needed a couple days to get things together, to devise their plan to deal with Antonio Jr. once and for all. Now the waiting was almost up. They’d had two nights in the suite. Everything was coming together.

He didn’t want to go out in a blaze of glory any more. Cayden had something to live for. Purpose. Love. People who understood and accepted him. Maybe Sophia and Hawk could be his unorthodox family.

“Tomorrow’s the day,” said Hawk, clapping him on the shoulder as he passed.

“In broad daylight again?”

Hawk shrugged, leaning against the kitchen counter. “We know his routine. He’ll be at the gym at ten in the morning. It’ll make it easier to get to his father.” He wiped at apple on his shirt and took a bite.

“When did we get fruit?”

“I ordered it. Money talks,” said Hawk. “We’re not in the ghetto anymore.”

He would tell him to fuck off, but he had no more desire to deprive himself. After opening up to Sophia, he realized a lot of his actions were fueled by self-hatred and the inability to grow and move on. He had to put his nightmares to rest if he wanted to enjoy the rest of his life.

---