Chapter 32
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
Brew
I sit across the table from Erica and Olive as I sign that the meal is delicious.
Olive signs back, she agrees.
One side of my mouth lifts. “Very good.” I sign back. “Now show me the rest of the alphabet.”
“I’ve learned it all,” she says proudly.
I tut. “Gotta get the basics down, practice makes perfect.”
“And you sure you’re okay to help me?” Olive’s eyes dart from me to her mother, who’s sitting opposite me.
I flick my eyes to hers. “Of course. It would be a shame to put those skills to waste.”
Erica knows something’s up, and that I went out to do business, hence the late dinner. I told them they didn’t have to wait up for me, but Olive insisted since she’d helped with the casserole. It’s delicious, just like everything Erica makes.
We’ll stay here for the weekend until I can discuss with Erica my idea about the cabin. It’s a Plan B, but I still think it’s a good option. While they’re under this roof, I won’t let anything happen to them, but the fact is someone could be watching Erica’s every move.
That fucked up cult had connections, and Erica escaped. She knows their secrets. She had to testify. I shake my head at all that she’s suffered, and as her eyes soften, I know she knows I’m thinking about what’s best for her.
After dinner Olive heads off to wash up, and Erica immediately asks, “Is everything okay?”
I look up from the table. “Everything’s fine.”
“Something happened, didn’t it?”
“How do you know that?”
“I know you,” she says, simply. “I know every single look on your face.”
“That so?”
She nods. “And don’t say club business, Brew, because this runs deeper than that.”
I smirk. “You’re gonna be one heck of an ol’ lady.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“You know it is club business, and for that reason I can’t tell you.”
“So we have secrets?” She frowns.
“No. But it’s my job to keep you and Olive safe, and this is me doin’ that.”
“Did you find out information?”
We already discussed Steven’s hearing earlier, not that it went down well.
“About the Grid? Yes. And I’m dealin’ with it.”
“Brew—”
“It’s almost as if you’re worried about me, Mama.”
“I am worried about you,” she says. “I don’t like this, any of it.”
“I know you don’t, and I don’t wanna keep things from you, but it’s just the way it is. I interrogated some men, and we’re movin’ into the location.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Please be careful.” She surprises me by not arguing.
“I always am.”
“Is the entire club going?”
I get she’s fishing for information on how big this operation is, and it isn’t betraying my club letting her know some vague details. “Yes.”
“That’s all I get?”
“Told you, club business. If I’m gonna keep you safe, then I have to make sure threats are eliminated. They also have more innocent victims being shipped in.”
“Holy shit.” She rests a hand over her chest. “I’ll pray for them, and for you.”
I lean over the table. “When I get back, I want you wrapped around me.” I peck her lips, but it isn’t enough.
Erica moves fast out of her seat, coming around to the table to fold herself into my lap. She kisses me earnestly, passionately. When she pulls back, we’re both panting. “I mean it. I don’t want any scares.”
“You won’t get any. It’s routine.”
“I don’t like the sound of that, even routine things can be dangerous.”
I kiss her nose. “I’m dangerous.”
“I wish this were over.”
“It’ll be over when the henchmen are all dead.”
She’s never once asked me not to, and for that I admire her even more.
I don’t even know if I could. This is something I’ve felt compelled to do since Valencia was killed.
I won’t back down because I owe it to her.
Once this is finally over, I’ll be ready to rest and put the past behind me.
I know it’s something I have to let go of, eventually.
As if reading my thoughts, she cups my face. “You loved her.”
“I let her down.”
Her eyebrows knit together. “You weren’t even together when it happened.”
“True, but that didn’t mean I didn’t care or want what was best for her.”
“You’re a deeply caring man,” she tells me. “With a big, big heart.” As if to emphasize her words, she places one hand over my heart.
“I will put this behind me,” I tell her. “Once they’re dead. I promise.”
She nods. “I know. I want to start a life with you, Brew, and we can’t do that if you’re still living in the past. There are things that you still have to settle, I get that, and I’m behind you all the way. I just need to know we really are going to do this.”
My heart races at the idea that she thinks I’m not serious.
“I don’t want to live in the past anymore,” I say.
“We are gonna do this, but just like your demons, I can’t fully commit myself to our future until I make them pay.
Do you understand? I have to do this. If it changes how you feel about me—”
“It doesn’t.” Her words are fast, and it settles the slight panic inside me. “I do understand, more than you probably know, and trust me, I don’t want to know all the details. But you need to come back to me.”
“No fear of that,” I assure her. “I’ve also got prospects outside until I return. You don’t open this door to anyone except me or Haze, understand?”
She nods. “I love you.”
I pinch her chin. “I love you. Nothin’ and nobody is gonna stop us bein’ together.
If Steven gets out, and that’s a big if, you won’t have to worry about any of that.
He won’t get near you or Olive. I have a cabin, it’s about thirty minutes’ drive, and it’s safe.
Would you consider movin’ there temporarily? ”
She wraps her arms around my neck. “If it’ll make you worry less, then yes.”
My worry settles somewhat. “It will, you’re too easy to trace because of work, and my gut is tellin’ me to move.”
“Then we can’t ignore it,” she whispers, her lips finding mine.
“We definitely can’t.”
“I’ll wait up for you.”
I feel that pull in my chest as I wrap my arms around her waist. “I’ll hold that thought.”