He smiles small. "S'okay. Went to prison, your mom had a restraining order after, 'til you were eighteen. Couldn't…couldn't see you until you moved away. Didn't know how…to tell you. Just tried to watch over you. Just wanted to see you…happy."
She's silent, shock layered on shock. I don't think she can speak.
"You were following her." It's not a question.
"I know how it looks," he says. "I'd never hurt her. Wanted to make sure she was safe." He looks at Carlin. "Good thing."
I can't argue with that.
Molly stares at him like he's a puzzle she's on the edge of solving. And then, from somewhere far away, she whispers, "Love you lots, tater tots."
His face crumples. "Miss you tons, honey buns," he says back, tears spilling down his weathered cheeks.
For a long moment, neither of them moves. Then her hand reaches out, trembling, and touches his face.
"I remember you," she says half to herself, wonder and grief tangled up in her voice. "I remember."
"I'm sorry," he says on a sob. "I'm sorry, baby."
She takes his hand as the first responders knock, entering when I call them in. Lights flash through the windows. Footsteps. Voices.
I stand, bringing Molly with me, getting us out of the way so the paramedics can tend to him.
I pull her into me, hold her close. And around us, the chaos goes on.
I hope it's for the last time.
CHAPTER 58
PULL OF THE TIDE
MOLLY
Iwake slowly, surrounded by Grey.
My sigh is full of his scent, and I smile, nestling deeper into his chest. His arms tighten around me.
I'm home.
Not at my parents' house,home.
No. Not at home. At Grey's. Because--
It crashes into me all at once. Carlin. Zip ties. A knife. My father. Grey.
My father.
The word doesn't fit, doesn't make sense. None of it makes sense.
I curl around the pain, into Grey, and he tightens his grip like he knows. Like he can feel the fractures in me as I break.
"I've got you," he whispers. "You're okay."
I don't know that I am. My wrists sting, the wounds throbbing beneath the bandages. My muscles ache, body sore, throat raw.
I stabbed a man.Carlin.There were ambulances. Police. They took Carlin, took the man. My father.Father.We answered all the questions. The sun was beginning to come up by the time we got here, to Grey's.
Grey.
