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“That’s what your father said.” Her heart broke for the little family. “Five is awfully young to lose your mom.”
He shrugged. “Genie’s like my mom now. She says that you can call her anytime. She’s bored.”
“I’ll do that.”
He tilted his head. “Do you have any other brothers and sisters?”
Her whole body tensed, just like it did whenever she thought of Sylvi. “Just a sister.”
“Is she nice?”
Val considered lying, but she’d promised Elijah she wouldn’t do that. “No. She’s not very nice.”
He looked down. “Oh. That’s not good.”
“No, it’s not, but sometimes people make bad choices. My sister did and... we don’t talk often anymore.” She needed to change the subject. “So, do you like dogs?”
He lit up. “Yeah! My dad says we can’t get one yet. Not until Genie has the baby and it’s old enough. Why?”
“Because your dad gave me permission to bring my dog over, but I wanted to run it by you before I make the call. Czar is big. Like, really big.”
“Bigger than me?”
She smiled. “Almost bigger than me.”
His white-blond brows crunched together. “Is he nice?”
“If I introduce you properly, he is. But if someone tries to hurt you, he is definitely not.”
He seemed to mull that over. “Can he sleep in my room?”
“If you want him to.”
“I do. Then I think I can sleep.”
Oh, honey. “Then that’s settled. I’ll call my friend and have her bring him over.” She passed him her phone. “Here’s his picture.”
Elijah expressed the typical shock at Czar’s size, then brushed his thumb over the photo. “He looks friendly.”
“He is, unless you’re being threatened, and then he is not friendly at all to whoever is threatening you. I’ve been where you are, Elijah. I remember not being able to sleep because I didn’t feel safe. Part of my job is making sure you stay healthy, not just alive. Sleep is necessary, and Czar can help with that.”
He looked up, tears in his eyes. “Thank you, Val.”
She wanted to hug him, but she only squeezed his shoulder. “You’re welcome.”
Bayou des Allemands, Louisiana
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2:00 P.M.
“Shit.” Jace yanked his hand back from the starter he’d been assembling, grimacing at the sight of blood dripping from his palm.
“Go find Corey.” Dewey fetched a paper towel and wrapped it around Jace’s palm. “He’ll fix you up.”
Jace hesitated. “Corey’s... talking to Rick.” He was scared for his brother. He couldn’t stop thinking about the look on Rick’s face as he’d left Corey’s office.
Rick had been scared shitless.
Jace was, too, and he hadn’t even been the one in trouble.
