“Then you should have cared about us.”
The truth was jarring, but Maya didn’t want to be accountable; she wanted to be healed.
“I’m sorry. How many times do I have to say it? It was a dumb mistake. Do I have to die for making a dumb mistake?”
Nile hesitated.
Dylan didn’t. “That was your choice.”
Maya looked at Jake who looked away.
She looked at Sonny, but he was studying the ground.
She lashed out. “Screw you, Dylan! Screw all of you! I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re going to die...all of you!” She walked away and came back. “You can say anything, do anything without consequence. I’ve never had that. I’m not going to be judged for wanting something you get for free.”
She walked away for good. Jake stood aside and let her go.
They were silent for a long minute. It was just about dark. The wind picked up cold and steady. Nile leaned into Dylan, absorbing his warmth.
He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
Jake’s heart was broken, but he found his voice. “So what do we do now?”
“I don’t know.” Dylan was honest.
“This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go,” Jake admitted.
“No, it wasn’t. It wasn’t what anybody intended.”
The brothers stared at one another, recognizing they were different people, with a different relationship now.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Nile gave Dylan a reassuring squeeze and stepped out of his embrace. She moved to the center facing Jake and Sonny. “Neither of you can be trusted. But, if you gentlemen are going home now...right now...my family will help you...for Dylan’s sake. We’ll give you something to keep you healthy as long as you’re not breathing the air in Rain. It’s not a forever thing; we’ll have to monitor you. By monitor, I mean, we’ll keep tabs on you. If you develop a need to discuss us or what we do with anybody...well...you know.” She touched Jake’s arm. “If there comes a time when you earn our trust, we’ll heal you.”
He held her hand. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
“Don’t let Dylan down. He risked his life for you.”
Jacob nodded, he didn’t have any words.
Nile moved over to Sonny. “Do you have any idea how many people drive through Rain? We bleed every day so hundreds of arrogant jerks like you don’t get sick and die because they wanted a vacation. If I’m not here to do my part, because I’m tied up in some hotel room, innocent people suffer. My family is small, just a handful of us, with a limited supply. This is our blood. Our lives. We don’t owe it to you or anybody.”
Sonny nodded, conceding.
“Do you understand? We can’t afford to give our blood to fools who won’t leave, or selfish people with control-issues, or organizations who want power. We have to protect babies and elderly people who can barely breathe. And, sick people who are vulnerable. It’s a rough life and we don’t have time for shit like yours.”
Having no excuse and nothing more substantial to contribute, Sonny hung his head. “I’m sorry.” He was. “I know it doesn’t change anything, but I am sorry.” He directed his next comment to Dylan. “Fucking up never occurred to me.”
A ray of warmth touched Dylan. His mouth twitched. “I only told you every day.”
Sonny shrugged good-naturedly. “I’m usually proud of my hardheadedness.”
“You usually are.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure. Guilt by association makes me unwelcome in Rain, but...” He looked at Nile and his eyes went soft. “I haven’t even taken her to dinner, yet.”
That was the laugh they needed.
Flowing with the momentum, Sonny aimed his thumb at Jake. “I’ll take him home. We’ll tell your dad the truth...in parts. Maya and Jake broke up—obviously. And, you’re still blowing off work because a girl won’t go to dinner with you.”
It was simple and easy to remember. Dylan liked it. He turned to his brother. “Are you going to be okay to ride?”
“Yeah,” Jake couldn’t think of any more to say. Sonny’s summation of their week—him losing love and Dylan finding it—was a lot to process.
Nile gave them instructions. “We’ll overnight you a package. Don’t wait to take it. In the meantime, eat heavy foods that will slow your metabolism down. And, sleep as much as you can. If either of you start to spiral before you get home, stop moving and call us. Activity is not your friend.”
“Like playing football,” Sonny remembered.
“Or kidnapping.” Dylan thought of Prince.
Nile nodded. “I’m going inside. Have a safe trip.” She waved and went away, giving them privacy for their goodbye.
“She has class.” Jake tried to think of something other than himself.
“I have to admit it, she does,” Sonny agreed. “Except for her taste in men.”
“That’s not her fault,” Dylan said. “I didn’t give her a choice.”
“Probably the best thing you ever did.” Jake hugged Dylan for a long time.
Then it was Sonny’s turn. “That and his home theater. We’ll be freeloading.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less of you.”
The men embraced, silently making amends.
Dylan stepped back while they mounted. Jacob revved his Harley and then they were gone, leaving him with a sense of loss and fulfillment. Although he was the younger brother, Dylan had always taken care of Jake. But, he couldn’t anymore. He didn’t want to. Sonny was there; it was the job he always wanted. He was an ass, but he was a loyal ass. Besides, with Dylan and Maya out of the way, Sonny would have first influence with Jake. That was bound to sweeten his disposition.
Something caught Dylan’s eye. Sonny dropped his grandfather’s flag. Dylan picked it up and pondered. Sonny identified through that flag. It wasn’t there by accident.
“He dropped it when I told him how many people he put at risk,” Nile said from the porch. “I don’t know him well enough to tell, but I think whoever he was, may not be who he is now.”
Dylan joined her there. “He’s still an ass, but he impacted people’s lives—not for the better. That’s a sobering thought. He has to figure out how to live with it.” He twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “Apparently, you change people for the better.”
“Not me. Rain changes people...literally. Speaking of change...” She folded her arms. “Why didn’t you bring me a cup of coffee at the hotel?”
He furrowed his brows. “I thought it was obvious. I wasn’t risking you.”
“But you risked yourself...and you did something...not good.”
He unfolded her arms and pulled her against him. “I don’t have any regrets, Nile. I’d do it again.”
Her eyes glossed over. Her throat clogged.
He prepared himself for her wrath.
“I wouldn’t have done it. I couldn’t. That’s the problem with me. When it comes to protecting my family, I can’t make the hard choice. But you did. Why?”