Alyssa’s tears slowed to a sniffle. “Thanks.” She accepted the tissues Chris pressed in her hand. “I…”
“Take your time.” Chris rubbed her back, offering comfort when there were no words available. “We don’t have to be anywhere today.”
“That’s why he wouldn’t tell me anything,” Alyssa’s mind was still reeling. “The Kid shot him, I know it.”
“Alyssa…” Chris wasn’t sure what to say.
“He kept telling me they were going to initiate him fully soon. McKade explained that he meant he was going to have to kill someone to secure his place in the gang.”
“Do you think your friend is the one…”
“No!” Alyssa cried vehemently. “He would never shoot anyone in the back, even if the Kid did just shoot him. He’s not like that.”
“It said the Kid died during surgery. Maybe Shane didn’t know when you were there.”
“That has to be it. He would have waited for the outcome before he told me anything,” Alyssa concluded. “Oh God, this is horrible.”
“I’m sure he’ll tell you everything next time you speak with him.”
“I don’t think so. He knows how much the Kid got to me. He won’t do that on the phone. He’ll avoid it until we’re together if I let him.”
“Aren’t you going to ask him? Aren’t you going to tell him that you know?”
“I can’t. Not over the phone. McKade’s the kind of guy who’s going to beat himself up over this. He had the Kid promise to stay alive while I was away. He was trying to talk the Kid out of the gang for me. If he knows, it must be tearing him up.” Alyssa wasn’t sure who she hurt more for.
“Why don’t you do back home for a few weeks? You can catch up with us later,” Chris suggested.
“No. I’m here. I need to finish this.” Alyssa struggled to pull herself together. “I’d be too stressed, running back and forth. I’ll be okay. It was just a shock.”
“I can imagine. It’s been a rough stretch since you got the call last night. Your nerves must be about shot.”
“It’s too much. I just need some time. Let’s go back to the motel. Maybe Murray can distract me with one of his stories.”
“I’m sure he’d love to tell you one.” Chris smiled at the thought of her son’s enthusiasm when someone asked him to demonstrate his imagination. “He was pestering Brian to play with him in the pool when I left.”
“Why don’t you let me watch him this afternoon? You and your husband could spend some time alone. I’ve noticed you haven’t had much opportunity since I joined you,” Alyssa offered, desperately wanting something to keep her from dwelling on her own problems.
Chris hesitated. “He’s a handful when he has free time. I’m not sure if you’re really up for that.”
“Please, Chris? It’s exactly what I need today. Since we’re not moving today, I’ll have too much time to think. You’d be doing me a tremendous favor if you let him fill up the rest of the day for me.” Alyssa was practically begging.
“All right but we won’t go far. Promise you’ll call us if he overwhelms you.”
“I promise but I’m sure I won’t have to. Chris, thanks for letting me fall apart like that.”
“No need. And if you want to talk more, I’m available. We can always put Murray with someone else for a few hours, whenever the urge strikes. It’s nice to have a woman to talk with. I mean, one who’s not totally focused on the sky.”
“Then I’m glad I’m here too. And that offer to talk goes both ways, if you ever need an ear.” Alyssa was surprised at how comfortable she felt with her employer. Maybe it was all the emotions that Shane had stirred up since they started spending time together. She certainly seemed to be more open than she had been before him. That was a good thing, wasn’t it? Kiley would be pleased if she managed to keep it up once she got home. Thinking of going home captured Alyssa’s attention until they pulled into the motel. Thank goodness Chris was letting her use Murray to keep her from becoming as morose as she knew she would if she were left on her own all afternoon. She’d deal with the night later. After that, she’d take it one day at a time until she went home and faced Shane with the knowledge of the Kid’s death and after his involvement in Shane’s injury.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ignoring his nurse’s protests, Shane was on his way to see Flynn. Jesse had charmed her into letting him bring Shane upstairs so he could be there when the boy woke up. Shane’s parents were waiting in the hall. He would introduce them after he had a few private words with Flynn.
“Hey there, Flynn, how are you feeling?” Shane asked when the boy’s eyes flickered open. He looked so young without the tough expression he usually wore plastered on his face.
“Stoned. I can’t feel a thing,” Flynn replied as a frown appeared. “Am I paralyzed?”
“No, they just don’t want you to move yet. The doctor assured me that you’ll be as good as new in no time. In fact, he said you’ll probably be completely healed before I am. Something about age and resiliency.”
“Okay. Good. You okay?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Look, I know you’re still a little out of it but we need to talk.” Flynn’s expression changed to panic. “Nothing bad. Just some options you need to consider in the next few weeks. Flynn, don’t get upset. We’re in this together. I promised and I’ll never break my word to you. We just need to kick around some details.”
“Okay.” Flynn looked doubtful.
“First, I want you to know that I will do whatever you decide. This is entirely your call.” Flynn nodded slowly. “Well, here goes then. We need to define our future relationship. As I see it we have several choices. The first option I think is completely unacceptable but, in all fairness, I have to present it to you anyway. You can go back to your dad.”
“No! If you make me, I won’t stay!”
“Calm down, Flynn. I said it wasn’t really a choice. All right, here’s option two. I can become your legal guardian. That means I’m responsible for you until you’re eighteen. After that, I have no say in your life unless you invite me to.”
Flynn was still frowning. “That’s it?”
“Nope. There’s a third possibility and, let me assure you, it’s the one I sincerely hope you choose. Now remember, this is your choice entirely. No pressure, no matter what. All I ask is that you think about it before you answer. If you’ll let me, I will adopt you. You would become my son in all ways except biologically. You’d be stuck with me for life, even when you’re all grown up and independent and perfectly capable of taking care of yourself.”
“Adopt me?” Flynn sounded stunned.
“Yes, adopt you. I’d like you to become my son. Before you make your decision though, I should tell you that I intend to ask Campini to marry me when she gets home.”
“You’re stoned! That’s crazy. Be your kid. She won’t marry you if you’re saddled with me.”
“Then she’s not the woman I think she is. Listen, please. I promised you I would get you out of the city and make your life safer. I don’t want to give you back to your family. I don’t want to turn you over to social services where you’d get stuck in a system that I don’t believe would benefit you. I thought something clicked between us when we talked. Was I mistaken? I want you with me. I want it legal so you know no one is going to show up one day and force you into the life you thought you’d left behind. Whether the legal status is as your guardian or as your family is up to you. I assure you that I intend to treat you as mine, regardless of your choice.” Shane realized that he was holding his breath and exhaled. “Flynn, just think about it. I don’t want an answer now. It’s a big decision and you shouldn’t rush into making it.”
“You’re fucking serious!”
“Very. I want you to be my family. I want to know that, no matter what comes up in the future, we have each other to depend on. I want to add Campini to our lives permanently if she’s willing to accept us. If she does, you shoul
d know that we might have kids together someday. But, if we do, you will always be my oldest son. That will never change.”
“Holy shit!” Flynn couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. The guy he was told to kill a few hours earlier was actually inviting him to be his kid. And he’d just said that he was planning on asking Alyssa to join them. He also sounded as if he was putting a messed up kid before the woman he wanted to marry.
“Okay, I’ll take that to mean you’ll think about it. We’ll talk more about this once we’re both out of here.” Shane couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “Next, I need you to meet my parents. We’re going to stay with them the next week or so. After that, I’m going to have to come back here and tie up some loose ends so I can get out of here.”
“What about me?”
“I want you to stay there, with them. It’ll only be for a little while. I thought, if you don’t mind, that I’d find us a place to live near my brother. It’s a great little town. It seems like a good place for a kid to grow up.”
“I’m not a kid.”
“You’re right. In many ways, you’re not. I’d like to change some of that if I can. I know there are things you’ve seen and done that no one should have to live with. But, in other ways, you are still a kid. I’ll expect you to go to school, like any other eleven-year-old.”
“But I haven’t gone in over a year.”
“We have the rest of the summer. I know some great people near my parents’ who will help if we asked them to. You’re smart. If you decide to work at it, I’m sure you’ll have no problem getting caught up. All I’d expect is for you to try your best.”
“You’re really quitting?”
“Yep. I told you before, lots of times. I’m frustrated and I don’t think I can do the job I was hired to do. It’s time to get out before I become part of the problem. Don’t worry though. I’ll get a job. I checked out the town and I already have some ideas.”
“You’re going to leave me,” Flynn accused.
“Just temporarily and with my parents, not strangers. Flynn, trust me. They will take care of you just like they did me and my brother when we were kids. Give them a chance. Not all grandparents are like yours. I’ll be with you at the beginning. I promise, I won’t leave you there any longer than is absolutely necessary. You know I can’t bring you back to the city with me. As far as everyone here knows, you died in surgery last night. We can’t take a chance of anyone seeing you.”
“I don’t know.”
“Just meet them,” Shane urged. “I can’t stay here with you, no matter how much I want to. My parents can keep you company. They’ll tell you stories of me, Jordan and Brett growing up if you asked them to.”
“I guess,” Flynn agreed. He was too tired to argue and thinking was becoming a chore. He could always go to sleep and ignore them until Shane came back.
Shane brought his parents into the room. “Flynn, these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is the young man I told you about.”
Rose wheeled her son out of her way and slid a chair next to the boy’s bed. She could see how suspicious he was, even through the pain medicine they were pumping into him. “Nice to meet you, Flynn. My son tells me you’re quite a character. I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
“Uh, hey, Mrs. McKade,” Flynn muttered.
“Listen to you! Such a polite boy. There’s no need to be so formal. Rose will do for me and this is Danny.”
“Hello, son,” Danny joined in. “I hear you and Shane are coming for a visit. It’ll be good to have boys around the house again.”
Flynn couldn’t restrain himself. This man sounded like he was talking about kids, not a grown man and a total fuck up. He started to giggle.
Shane laughed with him. “See what I mean? No matter how old the rest of the world thinks I am, these two will always be my parents and I will always be their son.”
“That’s right, young man and don’t you forget it,” Rose scolded, making Flynn laugh even harder. “Isn’t it time for you to be getting back to bed? That nurse wasn’t happy about you being out of it in the first place, so may I suggest you scoot back to your room?”
“Mom!”
“Don’t argue with your mother,” Danny spoke up. “We’ll look after your young friend for you. Go on, Shane. He’ll be fine with us.”
“You cool with this?” Shane asked, knowing he had no real choice.
“Yeah, whatever.” Flynn shrugged, unsure of the people who spoke to this big, tough guy like he was a little boy.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Shane assured him.
“You’ll do what the nurses tell you,” his mother declared in a tone that showed she wouldn’t put up with any arguments. “Get some sleep, son. We’ll visit with you later, when Flynn takes a nap.”
* * * * *
Jesse waited until Shane was settled back in his room before he spoke. “I got a call a little while ago. From Frank. In Germany.”
Shane tensed, waiting for bad news. “Frank went himself? And?”
“He found Corporal Roberts and arranged a private meeting. When Frank explained why he was there, Roberts seemed surprised that Flynn still existed. He made some remarks about the boy’s mother and grabbed for the paper that Frank had with him. He kept asking if signing it meant that he’d finally be rid of that mistake, as he called him. He demanded that Frank make it clear that he wanted no contact from Flynn or anyone who has anything to do with him in the future.”
“How can he be like that?” Shane was furious and relieved all at the same time. “What the hell is wrong with him? Why doesn’t he see what he’s so quick to toss away?”
“Some people are like that, Shane. As I see it, you should be glad that he’s such an asshole. His signature gives you one less obstacle. He also signed the consent form requesting that you be appointed as Flynn’s guardian. Apparently, he questioned Frank about your mental stability when Frank told him you wanted Flynn.”
“I told Flynn that I wanted to adopt him.”
Jesse raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment on that statement. “Frank’ll be back tonight. After that, all you need is the doctor’s okay and you two can get out of here.”
“Thanks, Jesse. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help with this.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s good to get a chance to do something this positive for a change.”
“What do you do, really?”
“I work in security. And I do some investigating. On occasion, I’ve been sent in to retrieve kidnapping victims. I test Wyatt’s gadgets as needed. At the moment, I’m involved in breaking down a distribution system that puts guns in the hands of street kids.”
“So that’s how you know so much about this group.”
“Partly. You understand that this is confidential?”
“You really need to ask?”
“No but I don’t usually mention this to anyone other than Frank or Wyatt.”
“Well, you can always talk to me. Any time. About anything without worrying that it would go any further than me.”
“I just may take you up on that some day.” Jesse fully expected to. He understood Shane’s feelings of frustration and was beginning to share his desire to do something more positive with his life. “You and Alyssa have a nice visit?”
“As nice as it could be, under the circumstances. I told her how I felt and that I wanted her to marry me eventually. I told Flynn too.”
“Hmm.” Jesse wished he could have seen Alyssa’s face.
“I don’t think she was ready to hear it yet. I think she kept telling herself that I didn’t know what I was saying.”
“But you gave her something to think about. Even if she doesn’t believe you now, it’ll be in her mind. Damn, Shane. I’m amazed. You get shot and are ending up with one hell of a woman, a son and a whole new life. You’ve had quite a day.”
“You really think they’ll both say yes?”
“Without a doubt. It’
s only a matter of time. You’re as charmed as your brother is, maybe more.”
“Hardly. If this works out the way I’m hoping, it’ll be pure, dumb luck. I wonder how Flynn’s getting on with Mom and Dad?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. Your parents are great. They’ll get him to see that not all people are bad in no time.”
“I really am lucky, aren’t I?” Shane asked with wonder as the shot he had been given started to take effect.
“Extremely,” Jesse agreed. “Get some rest. I hear you might be able to leave with Flynn tomorrow.”
“I hope so. I hate the thought of him being on his own. I know Mom and Dad would take turns, staying with him but I want to be there.”
“I’m sure he’ll be happier with you around too. If you’re not released, I’ll have you transferred with him. You could probably be in the same room then, unless you expect some of your friends to visit.”
“I wouldn’t think so, since they’ve all been in today. I didn’t tell Jordan and Kiley about this yet.”
“Are you going to?”
“I want to talk to Campini first. I don’t want her to be the last to find out. Mom and Dad said they’d help run interference for us. I hope she comes home soon.”
“For your sake, so do I. I’ll stop in later. Call me if you need anything.” Jesse left, needing to catch some much needed sleep himself.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alyssa woke in a panic, her body drenched with sweat. It was dark and she had no idea where she was. Frantically, she reached for Shane, hoping against hope that he’d miraculously be there. As she shifted, she suddenly felt the weight of the light she wore as a necklace. She squeezed it, turning it on and illuminating the room. She looked around and realized she was in a motel room, somewhere in Nebraska. She was still with the storm trackers, waiting to find destruction so she could accomplish her assignment. Uncurling her body from the tight ball against the headboard, Alyssa felt as if the room was spinning wildly around her.
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