“I need to take care of this Cupid problem.”
“What’s up?”
I told him about Waverly’s panic attacks and her passing out.
“Goddammit. I want her here. Now. Actually, I want you both here.”
“I want this guy, Hatch. She won’t find peace while he’s out there.”
“Don’t do anything. Get your ass over here. Now. I’ll send Brian with the van. He’ll meet you out back.”
He hung up and I headed back out to Waverly.
“I’m gonna pack you a bag and we’re goin’ back to Hatch and Maisie’s. Let me know what you need.”
“I can help, it’s all right,” she said, standing up, then immediately sitting back down. “Too fast.”
“Hey, it’s okay, I’m here,” I said, scooping her up into my arms.
She nodded into my neck. “Okay.”
I walked her into the bedroom and laid her down on her bed. “Your color’s back. You feeling better?”
She nodded, then shook her head. “I don’t feel safe.”
“You will, baby. We’ll get over to Hatch and Maisie’s and you’ll feel safe.”
“I heard you talking to Hatch.”
“Spying on your husband before we’re even married, huh?”
Waverly shrugged. “Thin walls.”
“I’m gonna do what law enforcement hasn’t been able to do. I’m gonna find that sonofabitch and I’m going to make sure he can never hurt you or anyone else again.”
Waverly grabbed my hand. “I can’t handle you getting hurt or going to prison over him.”
“Criminals go to prison and I’m not a criminal. Besides, I have a fiancée to come back to.”
“You’re leaving me?”
I nodded. “I’ll only be gone a short while.”
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’ve got some ideas about how to find him. Once I do, I’ll move the gates of hell right to his doorstep.”
“You promise you’ll come back to me?” she said.
“I promise.”
“I mean it, Gio. You swear to me, God, andanyone else whose listening that you’ll come back to me.”
I stood up and took off my cut before folding it like a flag, with the Dogs of Fire patch facing upward. “This is the most sacred thing in the world to me,” I said, placing it in Waverly’s hands. I then raised my right hand and placed my left hand on my cut. “No god has claimed me yet, but you have. So, I swear to you, on my club’s colors that I will come back to you. That I willalwayscome back to you.”
Tears streamed down Waverly’s perfect face, and she nodded.
“Okay?” I cupped her face.
