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After my talk with Ny, my memories are chasing me. I keep seeing the day I lost my parents over and over again. I was too weak, too small to do anything. Papa told me not to move, to stay hidden.
I hid in the closet, waiting. The silence spoke so loudly once the men were gone. Mom’s bloody blonde hair flashes in my head.
That day had been so much fun before my stomach had started to hurt. I was so sad when I had to leave. Ny had braided one side of my hair so we could play Vikings.
Images of that day begin to rush me all at once. They move so fast that it takes my breath away. I sit up and throw my legs over the side of the bed.
Ny moans behind me and reaches out in her sleep. Quickly looking over my shoulder, I find her hand where I once had lain. I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head clear.
I stand, not wanting to disturb either of them but needing to catch my breath. Moving to the foot of the bed, I lift my arms to hold on to the iron post of the bed frame. Ny has refurnished the room.
It has a more masculine feel now. She said it comforted her when we weren’t around. I can understand that.
We leave her alone so much. I can’t wait for the day when we don’t have to live like this. I watch them both as they sleep.
Gio looks peaceful. Something I can’t always say about him. Especially when Ny isn’t around.
Turning my attention to Nyla, I take in her naked body. I’m going to need to talk to Gio soon. My conversation with Ny earlier rings in my ears.
She’s getting restless. At twenty-seven, she wants more or at least to know the time line for when more will come. We can’t lose her.
She promised. Whether she knows it or not, I remember her words.
We’re your family now. We always will be. Don’t cry. I promise, Jace, we’re your family.
I close my eyes as it all comes back to me. The fear, the pain, the loneliness. I open my eyes and look at my two best friends. They’re my anchors. They have been since that day.
Ny rolls over to face Gio and moves closer to him. Gio wakes and takes in a sharp inhale. Placing a hand on Ny’s back, he kisses her forehead and wraps an arm around her to pull her closer. He looks around, his gaze landing on me.
“She’s cold. Pass me that blanket,” he says and nods to the chair in the center of the room where the bedspread was thrown.
I move to grab it and toss it over them. Gio looks at me and narrows his eyes. His brows knit.
“Why do you have your naked ass up standing over me?” I scoff and give him the finger. Real concern fills his eyes. “You all right?”
“Yeah, bad night.”
“You want to talk? We can go out on the deck,” he says low.
“She’ll miss us. Maybe tomorrow.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
He shrugs, leans to kiss Ny’s head, and passes back out again. I climb back into bed and place a hand on Ny’s hips. She covers my hand in her sleep and I calm as my lids finally grow heavy.
CHAPTER46
Say the Word
Gio
I haveto say I was intrigued when Judge Rick Thompson told me Kington wants one of those favors I bestow at the Dollhouse. The man has his own means of making a problem disappear.
Now I stand here on this dock in Atlantic Beach on a property few know belongs to me. Jace and Ny are at my sides. The boat Kington is arriving on heads toward us.
I have my hands in my pockets, with my shades on as the salty sea air whips at my hair, shirt, and slacks. I look over at Ny, she’s chopped her hair off again. It falls right at her chin, but even it’s blowing across her face as the pretty white sundress she has on whips around her legs.
