“No,” Drew said, his voice coming out louder than intended.“We don’t kneel.Not anymore.”He made eye contact with Eric, who was shaking.Alana moved from his arms and took Eric’s hand, murmuring something to him that no one else could hear.
“Fine,” said Curly.“Have it your way.You have my loyalty, but you better hold up your promises.”
“I will.Spread the word to the other members, the ones in Atlanta.Let them know what will happen if they disobey.”
Harry and the other men murmured their loyalty.He nodded at them, before walking over to Alana and Eric.He put his hand on his shoulder.“Thank you.I’ll take care of you, whatever you need.You want to go home?Done.You want to work for me in a legit job?Done.You won’t go down for this.I promise.”
Eric’s broken gaze met his own.He signed, “Thank you.”
Cars pulled up outside.
Three cops came barging in, guns drawn.One of them whistled at the scene.“Josh called, said you might need us.Seems you do,” said one of them, clearly in charge.“And an ex-colleague of mine let me know where you were.Handy little things, these tracking devices.No fucking clue how it works myself,” he admitted.“Well, I’d advise you to get this mess cleared up,” he said, gesturing to Max, and then he turned to the gang members.“And then I suggest you get the fuck out of my city.”
They looked at Drew and he nodded at them.They got to work.
“Burn him,” he told them, taking Alana’s hand.She was so cold, but she kept her head high.She squeezed his hand back.Just that one simple gesture and everything was worth it.
The cop came up beside him.“We were never here, okay?Seems like you’ve got rid of some serious rubbish.We should be thanking you.”With that, he clapped him on the back.“Right boys, let’s move out.”
Fuck.He always knew Josh had connections, but he didn’t realize it pertained to cops.He reminded himself never to cross his friend.
“It was Lily,” Alana said, her voice shaking.“She tried to do the right thing in the end, even if it cost her everything she loves.”
He tilted her head up to his.“Are you okay?Please tell me you’re okay.”His voice cracked.
“No.But I will be.”She sounded determined.That was his Alana.She cupped his face.“Are you okay?”
“No,” he whispered, dropping his forehead to hers.“But I will be,” he echoed.
“We won’t let him break us.We will live the rest of our lives for us, in spite of him, in spite of everything, and soon this will become a distant memory.”
That day couldn’t come soon enough.
“I almost believe you.”
“You should.I’m always right.”
With that, he dropped a featherlight kiss on her lips.A silent promise, a silent vow, that they would heal, together.
