Page 105 of Shades of Loyalty
“I think I just have to leave this house today. I need something else to think about.”
She nods. “Well… How about we go get breakfast, then? We both got dressed already anyway. I know a café which sells really nice coffee and pastries,” she explains. “We could take Mary with us. And Enzo, if he wants to come, too.”
“That sounds really good, pretty. I’d love that.” I wrap my arms around her waist before I kiss her softly, feeling her melt into my arms. Fuck, how much I love this. How much I love her.
Her excited expression on her face doesn’t leave her while I grab my jacket and my wallet, her already opening the door, ready to leave.
I slip my gun into the back of my jeans before we leave the room. Although I tried to do secretly it so she wouldn’t see, I know she did. I just hope she understands that I do this for protection purposes only.
To be honest, I don’t feel safe at all. The only moments I feel safe are when it’s pitch black, the door to my room is locked, and the windows are locked too.
When Jennifer is cuddled up in my arms, breathing quietly next to me.
But outside? My mind is racing all the time. More now than ever before.
Right before we enter the children’s room, I see Hayden in the corner of my eye.
“Go in and tell them about your idea, alright?” I ask her. She nods but seems confused, so I explain. “I gotta talk to Hayden for a minute.”
Thankfully, she understands and goes to talk to the kids already, typing in the room code and greeting them.
Meanwhile, I walk towards Hayden, who notices me right before he leaves. His forced smile is obvious. He’s not the type of guy who knows how to comfort someone.
He rarely does it, so obviously, he has no fucking clue what to do or say. But that’s alright.
I know he’s got my back. That’s all I need. He proved it to me before. Several times.
I stand next to him, both of us keeping a respectable distance. I’m just staring at his face while he fixes his tie.
“Listen,” I start before I reach him. He nods. Quickly, I check the hallway before continuing.
“Whatever happens next, the first thing we have to do is get his friend to talk. Or more than one. I don’t care. All I need right now is information. Just bring them to me tomorrow, alright?” He nods.
“So, you don’t wanna take it slow like you said before? I don’t know yet if he’s the guy we need—” I scoff.
“Two people died. Mymotherdied. I’m not taking anything fucking slow here after that. I mean, who will they kill next? Jennifer?”
Even the thought of that makes my mind fill with rage.
“Get that asshole for me. If he doesn’t have any information, fine. I’ll kill him and try his other friends. I don’t give a single fuck if they don’t have anything to do with this. He kills my mother? I kill all these bastard’s out there until he’s the last one I murder with my own hands.”
Hayden gulps, probably sure that my idea is extremely radical and thoughtless. Maybe it is.
And most importantly, it’s fucking useless if it doesn’t work out the way I want it to.
He agrees. Fucking reluctantly, yes, but the important point is that he agrees. “He’ll be there tomorrow for you. Usual place?”
“Usual place.”
Hayden stares at me, and for a split second, I can see the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
“I really need you to trust me on this one.”
Hayden’s face shifts as he nods and I can tell he’s finally beginning to understand just how deep this is. The intensity of my words is real, no room for hesitation.
“Alright, then. Usual place, tomorrow. I’ll make sure he’s there,” he says, the confidence in his voice finally settling in.
“Good. I need answers,” I add with finality, turning to leave as our conversation fades into the background.
