Page 109 of Tattered Souls

---

She tilted her head to the side, and then I knew she got it. Her head snapped in my direction, and she smiled.

Then her voice got low, and in a mere whisper, she said, “You know, I’m pretty sure he took care of Lance once and for all.”

I smiled, “Yeah, I raised my boy right.”

Because I had done the same thing for Misty all those years ago.

And when I lay my head down at night, I did it with a smile.

Because I made sure my woman could sleep peacefully at night.

Misty

I knew that he didn’t think I knew what he had done for me.

But I did.

And in that moment, all those years ago, it was what locked my heart inside his chest.

Staying there.

Cemented in.

Rooted in there, as deep as it could go.

And I had kept a secret from my husband. The only secret I ever held close to my heart.

Until my boy was ready, I wouldn’t be sharing it.

I looked to see where he was standing... and smiled.

I gave him hell. A lot of it.

But I did it because I was worried about him.

I worried when he left.

I worried when he came back.

And I worried when loud sounds started going off.

Because my boy Alec didn’t think anyone knew.

But I did.

He was my son after all.

‘She’s going to want what she sees.’

– Garrick to Tatum.

Epilogue III

Sage

“No fucking man is going to open your drinks for you. Grow the fuck up, Sage.” Cruise said.

I chuckled, “Funny, because it’s what my dad does for my mom and me. Thanks for proving to me you weren’t worth my time.”

---