Page 107 of Preying Heart
“Not like this. Look at me.” I squeeze my eyes shut as she finishes packing my wound. Pain shoots like fire, frying my nerves and turning my stomach.
“She wants me to teach her how to care for you. If you don’t go to her, I’m bringing her here.”
“She doesn’t deserve this. She’s a fancy woman. You’ve seen her penthouse. The view. The cook and cleaner. But I’ll get out of your hair. I appreciate everything you and Justin have done, are doing, but I have to go home.”
“Great, then we’re going over to Remi’s to get acquainted with her mother and brother. She wants you there. Lucy misses you, and so does Glock.” Wendy’s tone is no nonsense, and truth to tell, I miss Remi like nuts.
Problem is, I’m powerless right now. I go where someone else drives me. Eat what they give me. Wake when they give me my medication.
Being dependent.
I hate it.
ChapterForty-One
Remi
“He agreed to meeting your mother and brother for lunch,” Justin’s wife, Wendy, tells me on the phone when I called to ask about Heath. “He really wants to go home, and I don’t blame him.”
“He still needs doctor’s appointments. I can take care of him here.” I look over at Lucy and signal her to join the call. “I’ll put you on speaker. His sister is here.”
“Great, we could keep him longer, but I don’t think it’s helping him mentally. He’s on the internet all day obsessing over the news and whether the DA will charge Gavin. He’s sure Gavin will walk, even though he was caught red-handed.”
“Bring him to me. I want to take care of him. Lucy can show me how to dress the wounds, and we’ll keep him company.”
“He’s going crazy here. Isolated while Justin and I go to work. He insists on doing everything himself, but he’s only got one good arm and hand.”
“Then it’s agreed,” Lucy says. “Don’t tell him you’re not bringing him back. He’ll get used to being waited on hand and foot by a beautiful goddess who loves him.”
I blush at Lucy’s overly generous description of me, but it’s true. I do love him—so much it hurts.
“Yes, he will,” Wendy says. “What time are your brother and mother arriving?”
“We’re having a late lunch. Come by whenever you can. I can’t wait.” I don’t care if Heath is a grouchy bear. I just want him in my arms, and he can growl at me all he wants.
Glock agrees. He puts his head on my knee and leans in, begging for a hug.
* * *
Lunchtime arrives. My new cook has prepared a spread of cheesesteak sandwiches, curly sweet potato fries, and a salad, for those health-conscious ones. I have my crypto earnings and my NFTs are selling like hotcakes. Notoriety has its rewards. Online, Lucy and I are known as the Loudest Lionesses who took down an entire cartel of traffickers.
Operation Persephone is under investigation from top to bottom, and donors are asking the Loud Lionesses to continue the rescue operations by starting a new foundation. Claudia’s dad might skate away unscathed. They couldn’t make anything stick. He’s kept his hands clean, and his connection to law enforcement—the use of OgleNet to trap criminals—gives him insight to avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing. Or he deleted his own data.
I’m not going to judge him, but I don’t believe Heath was wrong to bring him in all those years ago. Maybe he reformed or stopped or he got his hands dirty because he associated with the Greasleys and other trafficking customers.
The doorbell rings, and Glock jumps over, wagging his tail. My heart leaps, too, and I check my makeup and run my hand through my long, flowing hair. The bruise Gavin gave me is turning yellow, and I’ve stopped bleeding from the miscarriage.
I’ll always carry a kernel of grief for my little one, but he or she wasn’t meant to be. I’ll love that baby in my heart and move on, knowing I did what I could to protect him.
I open the door without looking through the peephole.
Heath looks up at me and smiles so wide, and my fears are gone. He still loves me.
Justin pushes the wheelchair into my apartment and Glock is all over him, licking his hands and wagging his tail. I love this silent dog who’s so devoted and brave. He also ripped half of Gavin’s face off, and the news is full of photographs of Gavin with his face bandaged for his mug shot.
“I’ve missed you so much.” I take the handlebars from Justin. “Thanks for coming. I’m kind of nervous about meeting my mother again. I have some memories coming back. She took care of me and washed my face. It was strange because it feels like a long time ago.”
“I’ll always be here for you.” He holds out his good hand, and I take it. “Sorry I stayed away so long.”
