“You what?” She coughed, worsened by her quick words. “You can’t quit. That’s your livelihood. Your job, Liem.”
“You’re all that matters to me right now. I want to be home with you.”
“And what will you do for income? When I’m gone, you’re not gonna have a job to go back to.”
“Think I give a damn about that?” I tossed my mask to the ground. “I want my time with you.” My voice cracked and she tilted her head in empathy.
“Oh, Liem.” She paused seconds before quickly changing the subject and then glanced behind my shoulder. “That’s beautiful.” She neared the black gas tank motorcycle part on the table and at once honed in on the lone butterfly. “I didn’t know you could paint.” Her big once full of life eyes peered into mine.
“I didn’t either, to be honest.”
“Are you planning on building a motorcycle?” She smirked, tugging the blanket back to her.
I shrugged. “Maybe one day.”
Her smile reached her eyes this time. “I like that. Just promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“You’ll do right in this world. Even if it’s only temporary. You’ll make a difference. Protect the weak. Bring down the evil.”
I didn’t quite understand but I nodded and kissed her forehead. “Sure, my Gracie. I’ll do that.”
She stood a little straighter. “Good. Now what’s the butterfly for?”
I studied the blue and purple colors not finished yet then looked at her. “I was reading that butterflies mean rebirth and hope. So… here’s my hope.” I waved a hand, and a sudden flash of sorrow flooded over me.
“I love it,” she whispered with unleashed tears streaming down her face. I swiped them away fighting like hell to submerge mine from rolling. “Will you take me for a drive, Liem?”
I studied her pleading expression. “It’s supposed to storm, and you should rest.”
“I’ll rest later. I can’t explain it, but something tells me we should go for a drive. A gut instinct I suppose.”
With a heavy sigh, I threw her the best smile I could muster up. “Then let’s go for a drive.”
My eyes whip open.
My skin damp with sweat, and my breathing fast. But for the first time in so long I’m not panicking. I’m not crying out in screams and sobs. The ache is still there but it’s different somehow.
I peer down at Danika who is fast asleep in my arms.
With minutes passing, I drift back to sleep, and this time… I don’t dream of Gracie again.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Hush
Chain casts a death stare toward me and I hold it. “After telling Alexander some bullshit lie of why our only lead is dead, he was very understanding of the fact.”
Yeah, I know I fucked up, but I’d do it again if I had to. In a goddamn heartbeat.
“I got guys on the inside working on who Grizzly’s boss might have been. Turns out whoever the higher up guy is, isn’t too far. Got a hook on a big nasty guy. In fact, it turns out he’s been hanging around Alexander’s club a lot lately. Probably looking for his next big drop.”
My blood turns cold.
Chain rubs the greying scruff along his jaw. “Hush. Bullet. Pay another visit to Alexander’s club and see if you can find anything weird going on.”
I nod, pushing from the wall.
