My brows shot up into my hairline. My father doesn’t involve me in his business and he hardly ever encourages relationships between me and the opposite sex. However, I don’t point this out.
It’s a chance for me to please him. Maybe dating this guy will get my father to open up to me. I look down at the magazine now resting on the table.
“Do I meet him when we return home?”
“No, he and I have business here. You will meet him tonight.”
“What’s his name?”
“Da—”
“No, no.”
I jump out of my sleep as the masculine whimpers startle me. I’m confused and lost for a moment, until there’s movement in the bed beside me. Shock, I slide back, ready to jump from the bed until I realize the thick blonde hair belongs to none other than Torque.
“Don’t touch me,” he cries out again.
Rage fills me. He’s having a nightmare of his own. Scooting closer, I touch his arm gently and give a shake.
“Torque, Torque. It’s me, Roni,” I whisper. “Wake up. You’re safe. Wake up.”
He pops out of his sleep, looking around wildly. When his blue eyes settle on me, I give him an awkward smile. He flings himself at me and I stiffen at first, surprised and unsure of what to do.
The kid needs to feel safe, so I swallow and wrap my arms around him. The hug is as awkward as my smile. He rests his head on my shoulder.
“I’ve been having nightmares more often,” he says. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to be alone and you went to bed early tonight.”
“It’s okay.”
After Nate wouldn’t allow me to go help, I came to my room and thought I’d take nap or something. Apparently, my nap turned into hours. I glance over at the clock and it flashes 4:45 a.m.
“I keep wondering if she’s safe. Is she going through all that shit still? I hate not knowing. What if she’s…”
“Hey, we don’t know that. We have to stay positive. We’ll keep looking and John is looking as well.”
Torque pulls away and frowns. “You like that guy, don’t you? Are you sure we can trust him?”
“I trust him.”
He pouts. “You didn’t answer the other part.”
“Why are you asking the other part?”
His frown turns into a pout. “I may be the younger one, but you’re still my sister. I have to look out for you.”
I don’t have the heart to tell the kid we’re not really related. He says the words with such conviction. Instead, I run a hand through the front of his hair.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone care about me as much as you two. He’s not out to hurt me. Our relationship is… it’s complicated.”
He nods as the wheels turn in his head. “Well, you should be careful. You know, you guys should use condoms and stuff like that.”
I nearly choke as my eyes bulge. Slapping him in the shoulder, I laugh. “I’m not sleeping with him. Like I said, complicated.”
“All right, but just in case. Remember what I said. We have to look out of each other.”
“Lie down. You need more sleep,” I tease.
He gives me that smile that will break a few hearts someday. If I can help it, this kid will have a normal healthy life. As a matter of fact, I need to start thinking more about that. He’s happy here, but is this the place for him?
He turns onto his side with his back to me. Tossing an arm over him, I spoon his back. Torque snuggles into my embrace.
“Roni.”
“Yeah,” I murmur, sleepily.
“I love you. I never want to lose you.”
My heart squeezes. Those words hit their mark and tears come to my eyes. I nod as I try to clear the lump in my throat.
“I love you too, kid.”
“I’m not a kid.”
I snort. “Yeah, sure. You’ll be eighteen soon. I know just what we’re going to get you.”
He chuckles. “Sounds like a breakout situation. I’m game.”
“Go to sleep before Nate bursts in and blames me for trying to break you out.”
“He thinks I have potential. He says I need to stop rushing.”
I sigh. “He’s right. You need to think things through and slow down. Go to sleep, Torque. We can talk in the morning.”
I don’t know why, but I do something totally out of character. I lean forward and kiss the back of his head, tightening my hold on him. His body relaxes with the gesture and he reaches to lace his fingers with mine. Soon his soft snores fill the room.
You need to start making your own money, then you can get him out of here.
John
I’m exhausted. Nellie hasn’t woken up, but she and the baby are stable. The family stuck around for Wyatt as long as we could. I plan to shower, pass out for a few hours and head back in to make sure he eats and has a change of clothes. I know he’s not leaving his wife’s side and I can’t blame him.
I pull out my phone to see if I have any messages from Roni. It’s so late, I’m not going to call her. Although I know she’s probably pissed that I never caught my plane.
I’ll explain in the morning. Sometimes I truly hate this distance and time difference. Hearing her voice would be perfect at the moment.
“Hey.”
I look up in confusion. Missy is sitting on my front step. I turn to look behind me. I could have sworn I locked the gate since I was headed out of town.
“Um, hey,” I reply, my brain too tired to catch up with what the hell is going on.
“So… um, I have a friend that was at the hospital tonight and saw you there. I was worried, so I came over.”
I knit my brows. “Seriously? I mean, thanks, but you had to be here all night.”
“I couldn’t sleep until I knew you were okay,” she says and bites her lip.
In the past, I thought that was sexy. It’s this little thing she does that makes her mouth look hot. Tonight, even in my exhaustion it does nothing for me.
“Listen, it’s been a long as fuck day. I’m so tired I can’t see straight.” On cue my stomach starts to growl.
“Sounds like you’re hungry. How about I come in and make you something to eat while you shower? Kill two birds with one stone,” she says.
Something rings off about the words despite her saying them sweetly. However, my head is starting to hurt, I’m starving, and I want to get in my bed as soon as possible. Instead of sending her on her way, I move around her and unlock the door.
Pushing inside, I turn on the lights and start for my bedroom. “I have some soup you can heat up. I’m in the mood for grilled cheese,” I call over my shoulder.
It’s a comfort food my mother used to make me when I wasn’t feeling well or in a bad mood. I need some type of comfort tonight. My brothers almost lost the women and children they hold dear.
My mind goes back to Roni. If anything happened to her… I’m grateful to Nate for not placing her on assignment. I know she’s been wanting to go out in the field, I can’t say that I’m upset that she’s not.
As I strip out of my clothes, I think about my own future. I have options. Dad has been talking me through the pros and cons.