Page 23 of Ravaged By the Dark (The Righteous 2)
“I did promise him the Ferris wheel,” Arek said.
“Why don’t you two go? I’m not much for heights.”
Arek grabbed her hand, and like an electric jolt had struck her body, she sucked in a sharp breath.
“No way, we’re doing this one together. Don’t worry. I’ve got you.” He smiled, and again for whatever stupid reason, she felt like he actually would protect her from any threat.
But who was going to protect her heart from him?
She bit her lip, still a little wary of the large metal wheel.
“Come on!” J.J. yelled, and she took a deep breath.
You can do this. You can do this.
She stopped resisting and let Arek lead her to the short line already filing onto the concrete to wait for a car.
“We’re together.” Arek pointed at the three of them, and the ride operator nodded, locking the gate behind them. Dread bubbled like a pit of acid up the back of her throat. She looked at the gate, her only escape route, and tried to figure out if she could leap over it.
“You’re going to be fine, remember, I’ve got you,” Arek whispered in her ear.
His breath was warm on her cheek and smelled a little like his last smoke and the spearmint gum he was chewing. He lifted his sunglasses, so those blue eyes hovered in front of hers for a moment before he stood to his full height and let them fall back into place. She grabbed for his hand, not even caring if it was inappropriate. It was the only thing that would keep her from bolting before it was their turn. Arek smiled down at her and squeezed her hand.
All too quickly, they were next, and Arek led her to the slowly moving car. He easily picked up J.J. with one arm and helped her up the two steps. The operator on the ground took the tiger and closed the small door behind them. She shivered as it locked into place, the clink of the metal loud in her ears. She shuddered harder as the car swung a little when they all slid into the bucket-like bench seat with the covered top. That was when she stopped moving any part of her body and pressed her back as hard as she could into the seat. She braced her toes against the front of the car, but it made her feel more secure. It was a false sense of security, and her brain continued to scream that if the thing fell over or flipped upside down, they were all dead. She sucked in a deep breath as every swear word mixed with prayers crossed her mind. Probably not the best combination to pray to God with, but she was going with it.
Arek nudged her arm, forcing her to look at him. “This thing reminds me of Pac-Man,” Arek said, and she gave him a small smile at the image.
“What’s Pac-Man?” J.J. asked, making Renee laugh.
“It’s a really fun, old game. We can try and find one for you to play at an arcade. They always have the best old games.”
“Really!? Can we go now?” J.J. asked.
“J.J., you’re being rude. Arek was nice enough to bring us here today. Say you’re sorry to Arek,” Renee scolded.
“Sowwy Nae Nae.” He batted his big eyes at her before looking to Arek. “Sorry, Arek.” J.J. looked down at his hands. It was not lost on her that he pulled the big guns of cuteness on her.
“It’s all good little man, we can go to the arcade, just not tonight,” Arek rubbed J.J.’s head, and the kid beamed up at him.
She thought J.J. was going to jump out of the damn car with excitement. The small car started to rock, and she closed her eyes and covered her mouth as her other hand pressed against the wall of the car.
Arek laughed. “You better sit down. You’re making your mom sick.”
Renee internally groaned as J.J. once more furrowed his little brow. She tried to think of a way to distract J.J. before he could spill the truth, but her mind couldn’t come up with anything quick enough.
“Mama’s not here. Mama left. But she loves us, so she’ll come back,” J.J. said. He lifted his shoulders like it was business as usual. Their earlier talk sprang to mind, and she hoped that what she’d said had been the right thing. He turned around, distracted by the darkening sky and city lights as they glittered.
“Ohhh Nae Nae, look at that!” J.J. squealed and pointed at one of the tall buildings in the distance decorated with multi-colored lights.
Renee could feel Arek’s stare. Knowing the jig was up, she looked over at him.
He mouthed, “What does he mean?” and she looked to J.J. to make sure he was distracted and then back to Arek.
“I’m J.J.’s sister,” she whispered.
She could see the gears turning in his head, and before he could ask, she decided just to tell him.
“My mom, our mom, left with who I assume is her latest love interest a week ago. Took the furniture and all the money I had saved and poofed into thin air. No note, no goodbye, just gone.”
