Chapter Eighteen
“You’re a scary son of a bitch sometimes, you know that?
” The fine hairs on Vinnie’s body were all still standing on end.
This dangerous man drew her like no other.
What that said about her sanity, she couldn’t say, but it didn’t change the facts.
Every law officer in the room had feared him.
“Is it wrong of me to have enjoyed that?” It had given her a smug sense of satisfaction to watch the sheriff lose his customary arrogance in Cyrus’s presence.
He opened her door for her while scanning the parking lot and surrounding area. “Get in.”
She had her seat belt on by the time he joined her.
She figured they were done talking about it, but once they were headed home, his lips twitched.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it myself.
But I was deadly serious, too. Zach’s passed things along to the rest of the family.
If the sheriff is smart, he’ll control Wilkes until we’re gone. ”
“I’m not sure we can count on that.” Wilkes was behaving out of character. She could no longer predict what he might do.
“Let’s hope for all our sakes he can.” That didn’t sound ominous at all. A shiver ran down her spine.
“And if he can’t?”
Cyrus turned onto her street. “Then a whole lot of people in this town are going to have their world turned upside down.” She was aware the sheriff had used his position to keep his son out of trouble, but she feared it went much deeper.
Rot—the department she’d worked for was as rotten as the roots she thought she’d forged in this town. While she wasn’t happy how or why it happened, she was suddenly glad to be leaving all this behind.
The neighborhood was quiet when they pulled into the driveway.
Most folks were having their supper. A hint of grilled meat drifted on the air.
Someone was enjoying a cookout. Peggy from next door waved her over.
Curious as to what she wanted, Vinnie headed toward her. Not surprisingly, Cyrus followed.
“Are you okay? I can’t believe someone shot out your window. What is this world coming to? This is such a quiet neighborhood. I wanted to come over earlier, but Deputy Wilson told me to go home and wasn’t polite about it. I may have to call his mama.”
Same age as Vinnie’s mother, Peggy’s husband had passed a few years back and both her kids lived and worked in other states. Retired after over thirty years as a nurse, she was an active member of the community, volunteering with several organizations.
“We’re all fine.” Not everyone was two-faced or had ulterior motives. Peggy had brought food and watched Vinnie’s house when she was out searching for Adam. She’d handled visitors and all the donated food. “I appreciate your concern.”
“And Adam? I saw him earlier but there were two strangers with him. I didn’t feel like intruding.”
“Adam is doing well. He’s a teenager who decided he had to go camping on his own.” She made a mental apology to her son for throwing him under the bus, but there was no other choice. No way was she giving out details.
Peggy patted her on the arm. “I remember those days. I raised two boys, so I understand. I’m glad he’s no worse off for his adventure. I’m sorry he worried you so. They get older but the worry never goes away. Part of being a mother.”
“Listen, Peggy.” She interrupted before she could keep going. “I’m putting the house up for sale.” Not only did her neighbor deserve to know, but it would help get the word out.
“That’s sudden.” Rather than distraught, as Vinnie thought she’d be, she seemed almost excited, which made no sense.
Might as well come clean with the rest of the truth. Peggy had been a fixture in her life since she was a child. “I’m moving to be closer to Adam’s father.” She motioned to Cyrus. “This is Cyrus Sin.”
“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
“Likewise.” She took the proffered hand.
“I won’t ask where you’ve been all these years.
That’s between you and Vinnie. Your mother would be thrilled that you have help raising Adam.
Not that you haven’t done a wonderful job on your own, but it’s easier with two parents, especially during the teenage years.
If you don’t mind me asking, do you have a buyer for the house? ”
“No, I haven’t even contacted the realtor yet. Do you know of someone who might be looking?” She couldn’t get that lucky, could she?
“Bradley’s decided he’s done with city living and wants to open a practice here in town. My son’s a doctor,” she told Cyrus.
“You must be very proud.”
“Oh, I am. He told me just yesterday when I was talking with him that he wanted a place close to me.”
Vinnie figured she was due some good luck, but this was better than she expected. “Tell him to call me if he’s interested.”
Peggy threw her arms around Vinnie and hugged her tight.
“I’ll miss you.” She pulled away and wiped her eyes.
“You were always a bright child, but that spark has withered over the years. You go and get that spark back.” She pinned Cyrus with a frown that had quelled more than one difficult patient during her years as a nurse.
“You take care of this girl, you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m going to call Bradley.” She hurried toward her house, pulling her phone out of her pocket as she went.
Cyrus was studying her. “She’s the woman who was in your house while you were gone.”
“Yes, but Peggy’s had a key to the place for as long as I can remember. She was my mom’s best friend.”
Keeping himself between her and the street, he motioned her toward the house. “You’re going to have nose prints on the glass from our son and my brothers listening in,” he muttered.
Her mood lighter than it had been in quite some time, she glanced toward the living room window.
Sure enough, all three of them were there.
Rather than try to duck out of the way, they all waved.
Laughing, she waved back. “At least we won’t have to rehash the conversation.
” She had to remember everyone around her, including her son, could hear more than she could
“You think her son will buy your place?”
“There’s a good chance.” A few years older than her, she remembered Bradley as tall and studious and close to his mother.
They were barely in the front door when her cell phone rang.
She dug it out of her bag. “I guess we’ll find out.
” She answered the call. “Bradley, I see your mom didn’t waste any time. ”
An hour later, the delicious smells from the kitchen dragged her out of her bedroom where she’d gone for privacy.
She leaned against the entryway watching all four men working together.
Noah was cooking steaks on the stove. Zach was pulling potatoes out of the microwave.
Cyrus was dumping a pan of fried onions and mushrooms into a bowl.
Adam was pulling plates down from the cupboard.
The domestic scene warmed her heart. “I could get used to this.”
Adam laughed, while Zach and Noah grinned. Cyrus studied her with a serious expression on his face. “Well?” he asked.
“You mean you didn’t listen in?” She’d half expected them to.
“We were trying to give you privacy. Besides, these two.” He glared at his brothers. “Wouldn’t stop talking.”
“Mom?” Adam set the plates on the counter.
“Peggy’s son Bradley is moving home and wants to buy the house.” Her head was spinning with details and by how fast all this was coming together.
Adam swallowed heavily, his throat rippling. “We’re actually leaving?”
She reached up and cupped his face with her hands.
He’d shot up this past year, now taller than her, but he’d always be her boy, and she’d always do her best to protect him.
Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do to soften this blow.
“You know we have to. This will be good for both of us.” She truly believed that. She had to. They were out of options.
Strong arms wrapped around them both. Adam jolted but didn’t pull away.
“You’re not alone.” Cyrus’s voice was rough, his commitment to them solid.
She couldn’t afford to turn away any offer of help, and she didn’t want to.
As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she was getting used to having him in her life.
“Damn right, you’re not.” Zach threw his arms around all of them. “We’re the Seven Deadly Sins. Now and forever.” Noah removed the pan from the stove and joined them.
“The seven deadly sins?” She pulled away, totally confused by the biblical reference. She hadn’t seen any sign Cyrus or his family were particularly religious. It had to be some kind of play on their name. “I don’t understand.”
Cyrus groaned and smacked Zach on the back of his head. “I hadn’t told her about that yet, idiot.”
“Sorry.” Worry clouded his eyes. “It’s no big deal.”
Vinnie had the impression it was a very big deal. “I think you should tell me what you meant.”
“Let’s take up the food first. We can eat and talk.” Noah waved them all to the counter. Rather than object—Adam and the others had to be hungry—she filled a plate and went to the living room, still not willing to sit at the kitchen table.
Adam sat on the floor by her feet, leaning against her chair with his plate in his lap. The brothers took the sofa while Cyrus settled in the other chair. “The seven deadly sins are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth,” he began.
“I may not go to church on a regular basis, but I had bible studies as a kid. I’m familiar with them.”
Cyrus sighed and sent a scathing glare toward his brother. “Our daddy used to say they might be a sin, but they could also be a strength.”
“I’m not sure that’s how it works.”
“Pride is a sin, but the flipside of that is confidence. It’s only when a virtue goes to an extreme it becomes a sin. A person’s strength can also be their greatest weakness if not tempered.”
She pointed her fork at him. “I concede that, but I’m not seeing how it relates to you.”