Part 41 (2/2)

”You already have that.” I pulled back slightly in his arms, cupping his face so hed have to look me in the eye. ”No matter what happens, we are forever. All right?” I continued when he nodded, ”But right now, you need to set things right with your brother. This might be your only chance.”

He dropped away with a groan. ”Fine. Youre right. But dont go anywhere. And dont let anyone up. Dont do anything. Were only one block over so call if anything strange happens.”

His drop dead serious tone gave me a chill, but I tried to cover it, dismiss it.

He met my eyes. ”You know I have the doorman watch out for you. h.e.l.l call me if anything happens.”

I wasnt sure if he was accusing me of trying something or just being protective. ”Do you think anything will happen?”

He shook his head, slow and steady. ”Not really, not with everything going down tonight. Its so close.”

I let out the breath I didnt even know I was holding. ”It is, so close,” and I meant more than the drug s.h.i.+pment. ”You should go. We really dont have much time left.”

His lips crashed into mine before I even finished speaking. The kiss was dangerous, was.h.i.+ng me in his fears, pa.s.sion, need. It felt too big, too deep, like I could drown. Until I kissed back, until I reached up and pulled him closer, then it became something else altogether. Then I was swimming in his love, his hands keeping me afloat and safe. And I didnt want it to end.

But he pulled away with shallow breaths and shaking palms as his fingers slid into my hair. ”Youll be here when I get back.” And despite the strain on his voice, it sounded like he finally believed it.

They returned from the gym with a weight off of them it seemed.

”Come on, admit it, Ive gotten better. I almost had you,” Dexters voice held that smile I was used to but hadnt heard this morning. He pushed on Gages shoulder as they came through the door.

Gage looked down on him, still the larger of the two. ”All right, youve gotten better. But you never had me, not even a little.”

”Uh-uh,” Dexter pulled off his tennis shoes, his light eyes meeting mine. ”He just doesnt want to admit it in front of you. Youll have to come next time and see for yourself. Although you may not want to witness him getting taken down.”

I stood against the entranceway to the kitchen and crossed my arms. ”Sounds like you two had a good workout. I made some lunch if youre hungry.”

Dexter was quick to pa.s.s by me into the kitchen, already loading the sweet potatoes and chicken onto his plate. ”Thanks Rea, this looks great.”

Gage flashed a sly smile at me, and that let me know everything I needed to know. They were at a good place, and that eased my heartache. It had been important.

”Thank you,” he mumbled low and squeezed my hip, placing a kiss on my neck as he pa.s.sed by into the kitchen.

”f.u.c.k, you should have woken me up sooner.” Dexter rubbed the heel of his hand over his eye after slipping on his seatbelt.

I didnt bother responding and focused on breathing down my own nerves as we pulled out of our parking garage. Dexter had slept most of the afternoon, but we let him, knowing he had jet lag and would have to stay up tonight.

”So were going to load the trucks now, will mine be the last truck?”

Gage gripped his leather gloves on the steering wheel. ”No. Well get you loaded first, so you can get on the road sooner. You, Sam, and Cherry will have the longest drive.”

I had known the plan, Dexter knew it too, but they went over every detail all over again on our way to the dock. I kept reminding myself, we just had to get through tonight and make sure Dexter got back safe, and then it would all be over.

By time we arrived, the drugs were nearly all hidden away inside mattresses and couches that were to be loaded onto the moving trucks. Everyone knew their role, doing their job with little conversation in the dark cloudy night.

Rusnak was nowhere to be seen, but I didnt go look for him. I worked with Dexter, lifting items into the back of the largest U-Haul truck, the one he would be driving.

”Whats going on with him, Rea?” Dexters voice was low as he nodded to where Gage was standing, directing another person.

I walked to the back of the truck and laid my end of the heavy mattress on the floor, leaning it against the side. Dexter pushed it the rest of the way in, but stood, blocking my way out.

”He hugged me today. He actually hugged me and told me he loved me.” He shook his head, lifting his hands up in question.

I wiped my hands on my leg, trying to play off the way his words. .h.i.t me. ”You know he loves you, and its been a while since he saw you.”

He grabbed my arm as I tried to pa.s.s. ”No, this was different. I know he loves me, but hes never said that to me. He doesnt show it that way. This was different. All of this is different.” He gestured around the truck, eyes glowing wild in the dark. ”Is he in some sort of trouble? Should I be worried?”

”Yeah, you should be,” it was Gage that answered. He walked up the ramp, into the back of the crowded truck with us. ”But not about me. You should be worried about yourself and your family, so you dont have to take these risks again.”

Dexter dropped my arm and turned towards Gage. ”I told you, Im done. No more gambling-”

”Ive heard that before.”

”But this is different. Im going to get Leona back, Im going to do better.”

”Leona left you?” I knew she was in Baltimore with family, but I didnt realize it was to get away from him.

Dexter dropped his eyes to the floor. ”Yeah, but I dont blame her. And after this, Im going to prove to her I can do better for her and Felix.”

Gage nodded, shoulders deflating as he let out his breath. ”I hope so. But first, get this done. Finish packing.” He looked directly at me, nodding off to the side. ”I need to talk to you for a minute”

I wanted to ask Dexter more questions, but I followed Gage out, and we stepped to the side of the truck, letting the tall sides block the cool wind. He stood close, sharing his body heat.

”Anatoli wants to run over some plans with me, he needs to hold some of his people back.” He looked over my head, around the open parking lot towards the other trucks. ”Everything will be loaded soon. It should only take a minute.”

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