Keola cuts his eyes to the audience that we have attracted. All eyes focusing on the next set of outbursts. Keola’s eyes fume with frustration, the debate in his eyes whether to let me go and trust me, or keep me here, imprisoned for a bit longer. He groans in aggravation, I can’t help but smile because this round, I won. I lean forward, placing a kiss on his grumpy nose.
As I pull away, he grabs me by my neck, his fingers digging into my skin. He commands attention, telling me to listen. His eyes narrow on every inch of my face.
He growls, my body shivers with his warning, “You take Topaz with you, she can hide in plain sight.”
I quickly shake my head, “Yes, sir.”
And there goes the butterflies. Finn stays snickering in the corner with Tessa.
Chapter 47
Keola
Watchingherdriveoffwith Topaz behind her leaves me uneasy. Nothing seems right, like a nagging voice telling me that I shouldn’t have let her go. That eerie voice telling me that she won’t return, leaving me and Finn alone in this world. But I can’t leave her feeling trapped, limited to her capabilities, it won’t do us both a favor.
Have you ever get a feeling that as much as you want to keep the person close to you, you can’t and it’s like a hot poker searing in your brain, unlocking every dark and twisted thought of what would happen?
Paranoia, a nasty beast.
As much as it pains me, she has a point, living with the fear of what’s to come will not help me nor Finn.
“Staring at the truck doesn’t help to bring it back,” Finn pops up suddenly.
“Smartass,” I grumble.
“Can I ask something?” he leans on the support beam on the deck.
“Hasn’t stopped you before,” I softly laugh, glancing at him.
“You’re overly protective of her,” he points out, but failing to ask a question. I look at him, smirking and cocking my head at him, “But why?”
What a strange ass question, “What do you mean, why?”
He shrugs, “Don’t know, it just seems like any movement she makes, you're ten steps ahead of her, ready to pounce on anything that dares comes her way.”
Nothing gets by him, he’s always observing, always taking note of the hidden world that adults miss.
I wouldn’t dare take the place of a male role model nor would I want to set the example, but I take it that he’s never had the chance to see what love is like between two people.
Love.
The word makes me shudder. I didn’t expect myself to think about love, let alone let someone in or prove to someone that they deserve love.
Do I love her? The answer has always been yes.
She fuels my mind with the thoughts of tomorrow, waking up beside me, starting the day. The thoughts of wrapping my arms around her in the kitchen when she tries to make breakfast, only to burn the toast and over cook the scrambled eggs. Her and Finn sitting in the living room reading, immersed in their fantasy world as a fire warms the house, and her feet rests on my lap.
The thoughts of a cousin for Finn to grow with, and show them the world of adventures, where no one would dare harm them.
She fills my heart to beat a little faster at the mere sight of her. Her body covered in the tattoos that kiss her skin, my mark on her collarbone inching closer to her own heart.
“Kid, when you’re older you’ll understand,” I try to brush it aside.
“Or you could tell me now,” he purses his lips. I roll my eyes, sitting down on the deck stairs. He pushes off the support beam and slides next to me.
With a sigh, I start explaining to a kid who’s much smarter than the average human about the aspects of love and what you would do for that person. “Remember when Lottie got my mark on her skin,” he nods his head, “well, that's a way of showing that I would do anything for her, showing others that if they dare step wrong towards her, they were warned. When you find that special person, whoever that is, your heart will rule over your mind, proving that you’d do anything for them, protect them, be there for them when they fall, and be there when they rise.”
“Love is about more than protecting a physical body, you’re protecting her heart,” he looks away, watching the twilight sky fight for illumination. This boy needs some sleep, it’s too late at night to be considered morning time. But even with the lack of sleep, he has a point. I throw my arm around his shoulders.
