Page 84 of The Convict

We will—

Finn turns the television off, looking at Zeke. “How the hell did they get that quote?”

My best friend shrugs with a grin. “Shane thought it was best that you didn’t disappear at the same time as Rax, so he had your cell number routed to one of the younger guys in the Devil’s Mayhem by that IT guy he keeps bragging about. Guess it worked. Oh, your mom wants you to come pick up the rest of your shit before she tosses it out.”

I look over at Finn, seeing his face tighten. “Offer still stands for me to kill her.”

His face loosens and he smacks me in the chest before giggling. “No, she’s fine. She can toss it. I’m done with her.”

For the next hour, we sit around and talk about nothing. Mainly, it’s me and Zeke trying to act normal, like we’re not going to be separated by a body of water. I was in prison, but he was able to come see me when he wanted with a few hours’ drive. Now he has to make plans and keep his fucking passport up to date unless they charter a flight like this one. Then he’ll be able to come on his own time.

Zeke’s phone rings and he exhales and answers. “Yeah.” He pauses and looks at me with sad eyes he tries to cover quickly. “Yep. Give me twenty minutes.” He hangs up and taps his phone in the center of his palm for a moment. “Your chariot awaits. Go get your shit and let’s get you the fuck out of this country.”

Finn squeals and runs up the stairs to get our bags. I stand slowly and stare at Zeke. “Don’t be sad, you fucking softie. You’ll see me again before you know it.”

“Softie? Me? Nah. We both know better than that.”

I hug him tightly, patting his back. “Gonna miss you man.”

In a rough voice, Zeke says, “You’ll see me soon, softie.”

Barking a laugh, I let him go and squeeze his shoulder. “Finn should have shit decorated the way he wants it by the time you come. He gave me a rundown of how he would decorate the house and I’m pretty sure he’s going to start as soon as we land.”

“Speaking of, we have a briefcase for you on the plane, unmarked bills. And Shane had his people transfer Finn’s money from his account to a private one in Cuba, untraceable. You two won’t have to ever worry about money again.”

Finn comes down the stairs with our bags, smiling from ear to ear. He marches into Zeke’s arms, hugging him tightly. “Thank you for treating me so well. I owe you everything.”

“Pay me back by making sure my best friend is taken care of. Then we’re even.”

The ride to the small runway is spent in silence. I look out of the window, trying to soak in the view of the only home I’ve ever known. I’ll never set foot in this country again unless it’s a dire emergency. Cuba will be my home now.

I haul Finn to my side. “How do you feel? Ready to go?”

He looks at me and smiles widely, the moonlight bathing his face beautifully. “I feel good. So ready to go and be with you out in the open. We can go on dates and wake up together and not worry about if someone will send you back to prison. I’m ready for us to spend the rest of our lives together.”

“Me too, sweet pea.” I kiss the top of his head, wrapping him up tight.

This is it. This is the start of our brand-new lives. I never would have thought I’d be settling down, finding that someone like all those romance books and fairytales and shit tell you about. I thought I’d be alone, the club and my brothers at my side. When I least expected it, I found the one person that gets me, that wants to be with me, that loves me for me. I’ll spend the rest of my days making him happy, just as I know he’ll do the same for me.

Zeke pulls down a gravel path, rocks and shit kicking up as he drives down to where a small plane is waiting.

When he puts the car in park, Zeke looks at us through the rearview. “This is where I leave you two. I’ll see you both real soon. There’s a sat phone in the briefcase. Call me when you two arrive, yeah?”

“Of course, man.” I dap him up and give him an awkward one shoulder hug while he’s still in the driver’s seat. I have a feeling he won’t get out, so he doesn’t break down crying or some shit. Whatever floats his boat.

Finn leans over, wrapping his arms around Zeke from behind. “See you soon, enforcer.” Zeke kisses the back of his hand and nods.

Quickly, I take Finn’s hand and shoulder our overnight bags. Zeke honks the horn and drives away quickly. I watch until the taillights disappear, and I drop my head, missing him already.

“You okay?” Finn asks, wrapping his arm around my waist.

“I am, sweet pea. Let’s get out of here.”

We climb on the plane and the pilot comes back to talk to us. “Rafael sends his regards,” he says and I start, realizing I haven’t heard someone say Prez’s government name in years. “I will have you touching down in Havana in two hours. Drinks are in the fridge here and blankets are in the overhead compartment. Knock on the cockpit door if you need me. The skies are clear, so I don’t foresee any turbulence. Make sure you keep your seatbelts fastened until that light goes off.” He points to a sign over his head.

Nodding, he heads to the front and starts the plane. Finn and I take a seat and buckle our seatbelts. I hold my breath, feeling Finn’s hand tight in mine as the plane starts down the runway. I don’t blow out my breath until we’re in the air.

Finn bounces in his seat beside me. “We’re free baby. We’re free.”

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