Facing North again, I suddenly realize how close we are, our noses almost touching. “Why are you up so early?” I whisper.
His gaze drifts to my lips, lingering there for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “I got a call about something I wanted to discuss with you.”
A call?
“What is it?” I ask, his hand squeezing my thigh reassuringly.
“I couldn’t get over the fact you didn’t know whether your sacrifice had actually helped Stanley’s family and if they were safe. So I looked into it,” North shares, and I feel a chill run through me, my blood turning cold with apprehension.
Please, let them be alive.
Sensing my tension and silence, North continues, “They’re fine. They were still living in the same place. Stanley’s wife mentioned things were better, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. So, we decided it was best for them to relocate.”
“Relocate?” I echo, bewildered.
“I have many contacts in Maine. I helped her find a job, secured an apartment, and ensured her daughter was enrolled in a good school. They’re safe now and far enough away that you don’t have to see them again if you choose not to.”
I’m stunned.
How did he manage all this?
“You did this? For me?” Tears well up in my eyes again.
“Oh, and Mrs. Walters kindly handed over the evidence her husband had collected,” North adds.
Panic surges within me. “North, you need to destroy that or give it back. Mayor Thomson’s dangerous, he?—”
“I can be dangerous too when someone hurts what’s mine,” he interrupts, a fierce glint in his eyes. “And he won’t be a threat to anyone anymore. As of last night, he’s been arrested.”
Mine? Does he consider me his?
“Wow,” Saylor mutters in awe. “Don’t fuck with North Jones, ladies and gentlemen.”
“How?” My voice is a mere whisper, my mind reeling.
“There was a raid, and the evidence was found, so no one can be directly implicated. He’s facing trial, but the evidence is damning. He’ll lose his power, and my contact is confident he’ll serve time.”
A sob breaks from me, and I hurl myself into North’s arms again, clinging to him. “Thank you,” I whisper, overwhelmed by gratitude and relief.
“You never have to thank me, Blue. I told you, from now on, everything I do is to make sure you and Lio are safe and happy,” North reassures me with a gentle firmness.
“I guess I need to find a new nickname for him. And you do, too, Slo,” Saylor interjects, his tone light.
I let out a soft laugh against North’s neck, feeling a moment of lightness amidst the turmoil. “What’s funny?” North asks, not irritated but curious, wanting to be included.
“Saylor just said we need new nicknames for you since Thundercunt and Satan don’t really fit anymore,” I whisper, reluctant to break the embrace.
North chuckles. “I wouldn’t ever give up Thundercunt. And there’s something about Satan that’s appealing.”
I lean back to look at him, then plant a small kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. You helped calm me down.”
Saylor scoffs beside us, but I choose to ignore him.
“That wasn’t even my main intention for calming you down. Those were just the recent updates I had,” North says as he gently tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. He reaches into his coat pocket, pulls out a key, and holds it before my eyes. “This is actually meant to help calm you down,” he says.
A key? To the house?
I start to speak, but he places a finger over my lips, causing my heart to flutter. “I’m trying to knock each item off the list of things I have that you like more than me,” he explains with a smirk. “If the house becomes yours too, if it’s your home as well, it can’t stay on that list, and that puts me one point ahead, right?”
