Page 20 of Unbreakable
Leveling his stare for a moment, I determine I see nothing but truth in his words. Holding my hand out to him, I ask, "You have a place to stay while you're in town?" Shaking my hand, he replies, "No. This was my first stop. But I was thinking of asking Grace if I could stay in her old place above the bakery."
I jerk my head towards the clubhouse, "You can follow me over there in a bit. She doesn't get off for another hour. In the meantime, let's go inside and grab a beer. And you can call me Jake. You showin' up here, puttin' your job on the line to help my woman; you've more than earned the right."
"I can handle that," he says following me inside, "and thanks for not shooting my ass when I showed up."
Settling at the bar, I motion for Raine to give us a round of beers when I hear the door opening behind me. Turning in my stool, I watch Demetri and Nikolai walk in. "Heard you may need a little help exterminating a De Burca infestation." Demetri says leaning against the end of the bar. Raine, knowing what he likes, sits a tumbler of straight brown whiskey in front of him. "I would like the opportunity to be a part of this adventure," he smirks. The allure of violence gleams in his eyes.
"I'm out for blood--for retribution, brother. I plan on being Ronan De Burca's judge, jury, and his motherfuckin' executioner," I declare with a lift of my beer.
12
Grace
With the last of the dishes loaded in the dishwasher, I slip my apron off and hang it on the hook next to the back door. My third full day at work and it felt great. My first day at work had been spent with Remi and me baking. The very next day I flip the closed sign around to open and so many people in town came by to say hello and let me know just how happy they were to see I was back. Of course, I had several ask why I left, but brushing it off as a family issue was more than enough to satisfy their eager curiosities.
Remi, however, has been on the edge of her seat ever since Jake said he would see what he could do about getting her enrolled in the local school down the road. I'm still a bit nervous about letting her go but know she needs it-she needs to feel and be a regular twelve-year-old girl. She has seen and been through far too much for her age as it is.
The only thing that puts my mind at ease is knowing Jake will do anything and I mean anything to make sure nothing happens to her.
When I walk to the front of the store Remi has the broom in her hand as she finishes sweeping the floors. Without hesitation, Remi has always helped with chores.
She was born into what most would consider a privileged lifestyle, but I haven't raised her to think that way. I wasn’t brought up with others picking up after me, and I plan on raising her the same way.
"Thanks for helping out, Peanut," I praise her while I begin to empty out the register and place the day's earnings in the lockbox in my office.
"Grace," Quinn walks out from the small break room, "Jake just called and said he'd be here in ten minutes. You got anything I can help with?"
"Sure, if you would grab the trash and throw in the dumpster out in the alleyway, I need to put this money away and log it," I let him know as I place the cash into a bank bag then zip it.
"You got it, pretty lady," Quinn responds before disappearing into the kitchen. Walking to the front door I secure the lock, "Remi, come hang with me in the office until Jake gets here," I tell my daughter. She follows me into the office and sits on the edge of the small desk and swings her legs.
"Mom, do you think Aunt Glory would consider coming to live here or live with us?"
I ponder her question for a minute as I key in the numbers on the computer screen. It's not a bad idea. Polson is a pleasant town and having her here would not only make Remi happy but me as well. "You know, I think we should ask her," I give an enthusiastic smile to my daughter. I watch the smile on her face fade and her brows furrow.
"Do you think we will ever stop hiding?"
The one question I have no answer for. Remi knows a lot, but doesn’t know the extent of the terrible person her father is, or the horrible things his family has done to people. She knows how abusive he is; she unfortunately witnessed his anger first hand on more than one occasion. No child should ever have to see or hear what she has heard. She's also aware of the fact her father and his family are suspected in the death of my mother-her grandma. My stomach sinks and bile rises in my throat at the thought.
Ronan and his family have money, most of it blood money. It's one of the many reasons I've had to take on a different name and stay low key. "I hope so, Peanut. Finn is working very hard to put your father and as much of the De Burca family as he can behind bars."
Remi begins to draw a circle on the desktop with her fingertip, "I like it here. I love being with you. I really like your friends, and Jake's club is really cool. I don’t ever want to leave here," she confesses with a low murmur.
"Me too," I agree. I'm done living under a rock. We've been given a second chance in life to have happiness, and I'm grabbing hold with both hands as tight as I can and not letting go.
Knuckles drumming on my office door takes my focus from Remi, and I turn my head and notice Quinn standing outside the open door.
"Jake just pulled up. I locked the back door, and everything else is shut down and secure for the evening. What do ya say we call it a day?" he tells me in his smooth and laid back tone. If only all of us could be that way. Quinn has a relaxed and easy going attitude, and I have enjoyed being around him because of it. He has a way of putting Remi at ease. She talks a lot, and it doesn’t seem to bother him. Quinn is a good man.
"Thank you, Quinn," I push my chair away from the desk and stand. "You ready to go home, Peanut?" I kiss her forehead, which earns me an eye roll with a smile. I'm very affectionate with my daughter. I always have been. I don’t want her to just hear that she is loved, I want her to feel she is loved.
"Can we pick some pizza up tonight, and maybe a movie?" she jumps down off the desk and walks to the far corner of my office to get her bag.
"Sure." I answer as we walk to the entrance of the store where Jake is waiting out front with Finn.Wait a minute. Finn? Why would Finn be here?Quinn unlocks the door, and the three of us walk outside to meet Jake and Finn on the sidewalk. "Come here, give me those lips, Little Bird," Jake's voice rumbles while my eyes continue to stay locked on Finn's, waiting for answers. Jake's hand snakes out and pulls me into his body. Tilting my head, I give him my full attention as his lips descend upon mine. My eyes close and I melt into his touch, and I breathe in his smell of motor oil and grease cleaner he has acquired from working in the shop all day.
"You mind if Quinn takes Remi home?" his large calloused hand comes to rest on my face and he uses the pad of his thumb to caress the apple of my cheek as he waits on my response.
"I get to ride on a motorcycle?" Remi squeals with excitement.
