“Me?”
“I know you talked to Crow. And I know what they want to pin you for. And I feel responsible for that-”
My eyes widen and I feel the immediate response to comfort her and vehemently deny her of any blame. “You have nothing to feel responsible for,” I strongly say.
She swallows, the action rough. “But you wouldn’t be in this predicament at all if-”
I place both of my hands on her shoulders. “Nora, what happened wasn’t your fault. What he did, wasn’t your fault. What I did in response wasn’t your fault. Do you understand?”
Her eyes avert mine and I hate the little pieces of doubt I see in them. “I know,” she sighs heavily, as if the weight of the world is upon her shoulders. “Just promise me you won’t confess.”
I quickly assure her. “I promise, Nor. I’m not going to confess.”
She lets out a little breath of relief but it doesn’t erase the concern in her eyes. I know her concern won’t fully go away until the feds leave town.
“I need you to trust me,” I ask of her.
Her lips pull upwards at an attempt of a smile. “I’ll always trust you.”
“Good because whatever happens I need you to keep trusting me.”
She nods her head. “I can do that.” I smile at her, hoping it will ease her mind. Then, I pull her in for a hug that she reciprocates. “I love you, bro.”
“Love you more.”
As we walk over to the dining table she bumps her shoulder into me. I raise a brow at her. “Crow tells me you guys made amends.”
“Crow has a big fucking mouth.”
We reach the table and everyone is here. I take a seat beside Grace, kissing the top of her head before I sit down. Nora sits across from me next to Daniella and Stella.
“Does this mean he’s finally welcomed around here?” Nora innocently asks.
“Is who welcomed here?” Dex looks between the two of us.
“Crow,” she answers.
“Have we finally matured?” Pax pipes in and I send him a glare that has him leaning back further in his seat. Stella pats him lightly on the chest with a warning look in her eyes but he doesn’t heed. “Crow was never our enemy.”
Dex points a finger at him. “Pax has a point. He has always been on our side.”
“And he helped save my life,” Slater reminds us all.
“Kept my woman and I from facing time behind bars,” Snake throws in. I flip him off and he smiles widely while flipping me back. Fucker.
“Just because we made amends doesn’t mean the fucker is my friend,” I tell all of them, wanting to settle the score.
Sticks hums thoughtfully. “But he’s not our enemy.”
I nod my head. “He’s not our enemy.”
Sticks looks at me proudly and I have to admit it hits me straight in the heart. Sticks is the closest thing I have to a father. So seeing him proud of me feels like I’m doing something right. Like I’m finally on the path of growing into the man he’s always wanted me to be.
Alice and Rosa come out from the kitchen shortly after. Knowing there’s more food to be served I get up and so does Snake.He follows behind me, humming a little tune as he does.
We grab the rest of the food and make our way back out, Snake still humming that damn tune of his.
With all of us in our respected seats we all begin to serve ourselves and eat.
