“Ocean?”
Blinking, I must look like a loon, but my head’s swimming in luminous lights, and the beauty of it is compelling.
“Ocean? Are you okay?” Gripping tightly on my skin, her warmth permeates my hand.
Clarity slams into me.
This girl is someone I want to get to know a hell of a lot more.
“Earth to Ocean.” Her head lowers down and she strains across to look at my face. “Hello?”
“You’re stunning.”
She moves back in her chair but doesn’t move her hand from mine. “And you’re c-crazy.”
“True on both accounts, I’d say and I’m never wrong.”
“Really?” She raises her eyebrows in question.
“Just ask me.”
Her laugh makes me laugh and I use my free hand to raise my beer bottle. “To finding and keeping new friends. Cheers.”
Her hand passes multiple times over all of the glasses and lands on the champagne flute. “And to the unknown. Cheers.”
Swallowing a mouthful, we both look at our joined hands. I’m not ready to let it go yet, so I use my free hand to pick up my fork and use it to cut into the meal.
“I love these w-wildflowers, where did you f-find these?”
“Outside, in the back garden. I thought you’d like them.” I’d tried to think of every small detail, from drinks, a warm meal, something special that would make her smile and feel comfortable. Being a florist, flowers must give her comfort.
“I love paper d-daisies.”
Filling my mouth with food, I nod and squeeze her hand.
“My favorite flowers though are b-bluebells. They’re delicate and small, but rich in color and striking when you s-see groups of them.” Taking a large mouthful of her wine, she resumes eating, looking down at her plate.
“I’d go as far as to say compelling, eye-catching, and remarkable.” This girl has no self-confidence, she needs to know how alluring she is.
Her face tilts up. Realization hits that I am talking about her.
“Another toast.” I lift up my beer. “To believing there is a soul mate just around the corner for everyone. You only need to keep your eyes wide and heart open.” Hell, where are these words coming from? One thing I know is that when I picked Bluebell off the road, I knew I’d have to help her no matter what, but in a day, it’s gone beyond that. I want to find out what makes her smile, how to eliminate her stutter, and who else has to be punished for making her so timid.
Instead of being alone and sorting out my life, I want to pursue why Bluebell makes my chest thump, my head swirl with old and new thoughts instead of how I’m going to torture my next victim and why I can’t see me leaving here without her attached to my side for the foreseeable future.
Gulping down my beer, I’m struck by my revelation.
This is imperative.
And certain.
“Cheers.” Keeping locked on my face, studying me thoroughly, she empties her wine glass as well.
On impulse, I start to lean toward her slowly.
My cell rings.
“Fuck.” Bad timing. “I have to get that.” Sliding out of the chair, disappointment flashes on her face before she resumes looking at her plate, taking a mouthful.
“It’s Slate, I’ve been waiting. I asked him to find out information about your situation.”
Pain and worry extend over her facial features. Her body tenses.
“Hey, man. You found something?” I stand next to Bluebell and hit the phone to speaker. I can’t keep anything from her. This is about her life.
“It’s not good news, O. We can’t find much on the gunman. But the info we have on the dead guy in the hospital is enough to send a message. He was the uncle to the head of the Thirteen Triad Kings gang which won’t be taken lightly. They’ll be out for blood.”
Bluebell takes the bottle of champagne and pours herself some more. Her skin has dropped to a pale shade of whiter than white.
“Yeah, you’re right, they will. What do we know about them?” My hand rests on her shoulder.
“Tanner and Caden are sorting through the info now. But if I recall, they’re small-time but want to be big-time like everyone else in this darkened place. They don’t come near our car distributions and haven’t been flagged in our casinos and strip joints so the gang’s not on our radar.”
“It shouldn’t blow back on us anyway which is good news. I need to find this dick before he finds his sister.”
“Have you found out his name yet?”
I look at Bluebell and she’s still holding the glass which is now half full.
“It’s Colton. Colton Kearney.” There’s no hint of hesitation in her quiet voice but her body slumps onto her elbows releasing guilt, no doubt. My hand rubs her back.
“Got it, S?”
“Yeah. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks, man, and give Wildcat a huge kiss on the lips from me.” Chuckling, I hear Slate huff. Hanging up I shake my head. Slate’s a sucker for Emerald.
“Come here.” Taking her arm, she stands, and I walk her to the back veranda. I’d put a warm blanket out there while she was sleeping in case I could coax her outside to watch the daisies blow in the wind sweeping across the paddock at the back. “Look at this.”
Switching on the spotlight, thousands of small daisy heads wave in the breeze, glistening under the light. “Sit here.” Doing as I say, her eyes are transfixed. I snuggle her next to my lap, wrapping the blanket around us.
“Ouch.”
I quickly pull back from her heat. “Fuck, I forgot about your shoulder. Is it feeling any better?”
She rubs it to alleviate some pain. “Yeah it is, I just leaned on it now the w-wrong way, that’s all.”
I suspect it’s still banged up and hurting more than she is letting on.
“It’s hard I know, but the guys and I will find your brother.” I light a joint.
“But what then, what h-happens to him?”
“That will be up to you. If I had my way, I’d torture him for putting you through any of this. But ultimately, it’s about you and keeping you safe. Do you think you will be able to walk the streets knowing you saw him kill a guy? Will you be afraid every time you step outside your home?”
Her shakes rattle through me. “But he’s my brother.” Reaching for the blunt, she inhales and coughs, handing it back to me. “I c-could leave again.”
“Leave your business, the one thing that was your dream?”
Sighing, she moves her hands under the blanket. “I’ve done it once, I c-could do it again, I g-guess.” Smoke wafts around us, my arm behind her, keeping Bluebell close.
“It’s something you need to think about. ‘Cause I will find him.” There will be no apologies from me and my brutal ways. If someone is a threat, I eliminate them. This will be no different from the past seven years of doing what has been essential. I hope she comes to the same conclusion.
Silence falls upon us, our warmth spreading into each other.
It’s nice. Like we’re meant to be. Sincere and real.
Fuck… being next to Bluebell feels right.
Inhaling, I hold my breath before releasing the smoke.
A hushed voice drifts to my ears.