“Won’t it hurt you?” she whispers.
“It will because I will be taking all of your pain. Don’t worry. I’m a big, strong man. I’m supposed to take all your pain, so give it to me. Okay?”
She nods, looking at him as I start to clean the cut.
She whimpers but squeezes Mac’s hand. He pretends to hiss.
“See, no pain for you because I have it. Can you feel it leaving you?” he asks.
She nods.
It doesn’t take long to get it all cleaned up. I smile when I’m done, and Emily throws herself into Mac’s arms.
“Thank you, Mac. I’m sorry you hurt.”
“I’m not, Emily. It’s my job to take the pain for you and your brother. Your mother too. You let me handle the pain, and you only enjoy the good stuff,” he tells her.
My heart is bursting watching the whole thing. I want to cry myself. How could he be so good with her? He has shown her more care in the last month than her father has her entire life.
“Let’s go get an ice cream.” Mac looks up at me as if I would tell him no. “That always makes me feel better.”
Emily nods, taking his hand as they leave the office. She doesn’t even look back.
It takes everything in me not to follow them, but it’s not because I don’t trust Mac.
No, it’s because I want to witness more of the man he is with her. I want to see how he will make her laugh or answer her silly questions.
I want to see the man who proves Evan was a true monster.
I left Emily in the office with Jane an hour ago, but my thoughts are still on her.
I can’t believe the kids never had cartoon Band-Aids. Hell, even I had them when I was small.
It’s something that seems insignificant, but to me it’s not. I am getting cartoon Band-Aids for every goddamn first aid kit in the place.
“Did that car do something to you?” Sloane asks.
I look down and realize I am being a bit rough. I sit back and sigh.
“Did you have cartoon Band-Aids growing up?”
She pauses, looking over at me. “Up until I was seven. Then my mom explained that they were more expensive and that I could have them or more food. Why?”
“Those kids never had them,” I admit. “I saw the clothes she brought with them. They were name brand, so expense wasn’t an issue. Why else wouldn’t they have them?”
She purses her lips.
She gets what I’m saying. The man she left was a true monster. He wouldn’t even let the kids have simple pleasures.
I gave Fox the information that she’s from the Pacific Northwest. Hopefully, that will help find her ex. I will eliminate him from this world if it’s the last thing I do.
“Mac, let’s talk,” Smoke calls out from the back.
I nod to Sloane, leaving the car I’m working on to follow Smoke.
“What’s up?” I ask as we step outside.
“The run went well. No issues. Medina wants us to make a northern run. I know you’d rather be here, but I need you and Gunner on it. I’ll put guys on the house with her,” Smoke tells me.
