A Pound of Flesh

by Jackson, Sophie

  The silence was about as comfortable as a quilt of glass, and everyone under it became unnaturally still. Even Nana Boo, normally so vibrant and full of life, remained motionless.

  “What the hell is this?” Eva asked contemptuously.

  Carter blinked slowly, lifting his head to face the woman he was there to see. She was standing in the living room doorway, looking spectacularly pretty and ageless in a pair of black jeans and a gray sweater. A tall man with dark hair and a Yankees hoodie stood behind her. He placed his hand on Eva’s shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. Eva scowled at Carter, folding her arms across her chest. Her face was angry, defensive, but surrounding all of that were the markings of hope.

  If she was hopeful, he’d cling on to that fucker like a vise. He could use it to his advantage. He could turn that hope into understanding. That’s all he could ask for. He didn’t need her blessing or her acceptance. He just needed her to understand.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Eva asked sharply.

  Carter gripped Kat’s arm, halting her retort in its tracks. Her furious eyes searched his face.

  “It’s okay,” he said.

  “I invited them here,” Nana Boo answered, lifting her chin toward Eva, daring her daughter to question her actions.

  Carter removed his hand from Kat’s and stepped forward. Eva watched him carefully as he approached. The man behind her, whom Carter knew to be Harrison, stepped to her side, a subtle move that told Carter to watch his step. Eva’s face betrayed no emotion when Carter reached her, stopping just two feet away. But, when he held his hand out between them for her to take, a flash of disbelief shot across her features.

  “Hello,” Carter croaked. He cleared his throat in annoyance, but kept his eyes on Eva’s. “I’m Wes Carter.”

  The walls of the room seemed to bend and strain under the tension that emanated from everyone around Carter, including Eva, who still hadn’t taken his hand. He kept it there, though, determined to show he was no pussy, even though his insides were ready to bust out of his ass and run for the hills.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you,” he added when the silence became stifling.

  Eva’s stare was intense and downright bewildered. Carter wasn’t sure whether she thought him to be completely insane or genuinely stupid. At that point, he’d have personally gone for the latter. She glanced toward her daughter.

  “Did Katherine put you up to this?”

  “No!” Kat shot back from behind Carter before he could take a breath. “I didn’t. And I can’t believe you’re just standing there and ignoring his attempts at civility like a—”

  “Kat,” Carter said firmly, interrupting what he knew was going to be something toxic and unhelpful. He fixed her with a level stare and shook his head minutely. The anger never left the rigidity in her body, but, to her credit, she shut up.

  Carter turned to Eva, whose eyes were flickering between the pair of them, and gradually dropped his hand. “Kat didn’t put me up to this,” he said. “I was the one who wanted to come here today.”

  Eva remained silent, cautious, and expectant.

  “I wanted to come here and talk to you.”

  “About what?”

  Kat shifted at his side. Still watching Eva, Carter reached out his hand, finding Kat’s, and wrapped his index finger lovingly around her pinkie.

  “I wanted a chance to explain.”

  “Explain?” Eva scoffed. “Explain what, exactly? Are you here to explain why you’re endangering my daughter’s future? To explain why the hell I should trust you with her when you’re a convicted criminal? To explain what prospects someone like you could possibly have with a woman like Katherine? What exactly are you here to explain, Wes Carter?”

  Her voice rose in volume with each word. Carter didn’t miss the quiver behind it, though, and allowed that to ease his temper rising with each slice of her tongue. Kat’s hand shook. She was aching to blow up at her mother, resisting only because he’d asked her to and he loved her all the more for it.

  “I can explain all of that, if that’s what you want,” he offered in a tone more clipped than he’d intended. And, without knowing why, he took another step toward her. He saw Eva’s eyes widen infinitesimally, though her chin rose defiantly.

  “But I came here to explain that, despite what you think of me, or whatever conclusions you have come to about me and my intentions, I’m in love with your daughter. And no matter what you say or do, I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

  Carter could have sworn he saw shock tease at the edges of Eva’s mouth. “Is that so?”

  “Yes,” he answered with a sharp dip of his head, determination once again flowing freely through his body.

  Kat moved closer, and he indulged in the warmth and security her gesture brought. Eva saw it, too, which conjured up another intense frown. She stared at her daughter, but Kat’s eyes were on Carter, branding him as hers.

  “I love you, too,” she said, loud enough that everyone heard.

  32

  “What time is your flight, darling?” Nana Boo asked, shattering the quiet enveloping the sitting room.

  “We need to be at the airport in a few hours,” Kat answered from her seat at Carter’s side. She drew invisible circles on the back of his hand encased in hers on her lap.

  Eva, seated in the large, plush chair opposite, glared as though Carter had asked her to give up her only virgin daughter for a public human sacrifice. He simply looked back, strong and patient, waiting for her to combust with everything he knew she wanted to say.

  Fleetingly, Carter wondered what she saw as she glowered at him.

  Did she see the love he had for her daughter? Did she see what conflict he’d gone through to be at her side? Did she see how he would lay down his life to keep her safe? Or did she see his list of crimes? Did she see him as a poster boy for the major fuckups of society? Did she regard him in the same way she regarded the animals who’d stolen her beloved husband?

  Yeah, he thought pessimistically. That’s exactly how she saw him.

  “I know you have a lot to say,” he muttered. “I know you have strong opinions of me.” He raised his eyebrows. “I’d rather you tell me so that maybe I can change them.”

  “That won’t happen,” Eva hissed back.

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Don’t you dare tell me what I do and do not know. I know exactly who and what you are.”

  Carter held Kat’s twitching hand fast. “Could you explain to me?” He sat forward. “Everyone deserves a chance to plead their case.”

  “You’d be fairly practiced at that,” Eva remarked smarmily.

  “Eva.”

  Everyone’s head snapped toward Nana Boo, who was gaping at her daughter in a way that made Carter sink farther into his seat. Eva glanced at her mother before her eyes dropped deferentially.

  “Yes,” Carter said. “I’ve done time.”

  “More than once,” Eva countered. She shook her head, bewildered. “Do you truly believe that I want my daughter with a man who considers spending time in prison an extended summer vacation?”

  “I don’t see it that way.” Carter was resolute. “I’m not proud of my past.”

  “Maybe so,” Eva snapped. “But the past did happen.”

  “Like Dad’s past?” Kat interjected sharply.

  Eva stared at her daughter for a beat, tears filling her eyes. “Don’t you dare compare him to your father,” she growled. “Your father . . . your father . . .” She bit her lip, and wrapped her arms around herself. “He may have done things he wasn’t proud of,” she continued before her eyes landed back on Carter, “but he did something to make up for it. He became someone who people admired, respected, loved—”

  “Carter’s done things I admire and respect,” Kat seethed. “You have no idea what he’s overcome, what he’s fought against his entire life. You have no idea about the night that Dad died, about how Cart—”

  “Kat,” Carter inte
rrupted.

  He didn’t want Eva to know about his role on the night the senator died. Not yet, anyway. This wasn’t about winning points. A muffled sob came from across the room. Carter turned from Kat to see Eva’s devastated face and Harrison stroking her hair.

  “You think I have no idea about the night your father died?” she repeated breathlessly. “How can you . . . Katherine, that night . . .” She shook her head, at a loss for words. “The night your father passed was the worst night of my life,” Eva said. Tears fell down her face. “I have no idea?” she repeated, giving a harsh snort of laughter. “I have never felt fear like I did when I received that phone call: debilitating fear that grips your very core, Katherine.”

  Kat dropped her chin to her chest and closed her eyes. “Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  “And it wasn’t just because I’d lost my husband,” she choked, “as much as I adored him, loved him. No.” She stared at Kat with shimmering eyes and the devastating memories lining her face. “The time when I was most scared, Katherine, was when I thought I’d lost you.”

  Kat squeezed Carter’s hand, chewing the inside of her mouth.

  “I knew your father would never let anyone hurt you, Katherine,” Eva continued. “He would have destroyed anyone who tried. But when the doctor at the hospital looked at me . . . with those sympathetic eyes, I was sure you were . . .” She clutched her teacup. “I was sure those monsters had taken you from me, too.”

  “They didn’t,” Kat murmured, wiping at her left eye. “I’m here.”

  “Yes, you are,” Eva countered. “With him.”

  “It’s different. Carter isn’t a murderer!” Kat snapped.

  “No, he’s a drug dealer. I’m so relieved,” Eva replied, disdain dripping from every word. Before Kat could respond, she continued, “Do you think your father would be happy that you took a job in a prison, working with the type of men he died saving you from? Do you think he’d be sitting here giving you two his blessing? If you do, you’re wrong.”

  Before Carter could stop her, Kat shot up from her seat, eyes blazing, the tears and gentle words forgotten. “He gave me his blessing, Mom! He gave me his blessing the day we visited his grave.”

  Despite Harrison’s hand and urging not to, Eva stood. “Don’t be ridiculous, Katherine. Your father wouldn’t stand for it. I am not going to stand for it! You are so much better than this.”

  “You don’t have any say in my life, Mom. I’m twenty-five years old!”

  “You are my daughter, and I want you safe!”

  “I. AM. SAFE!”

  “How can you say that?” Eva shoved an accusatory finger toward Carter. “He’s a convict, put inside for possessing cocaine, stealing cars, carrying dangerous weapons. He is not safe, and he is not who I want you with!”

  “Enough!”

  The room rattled with the deep, booming voice of Harrison. Carter gaped at him, speechless that he’d shouted as loud as he had, even though he’d been damn near doing the exact same thing himself. Harrison moved from his spot, behind Eva’s chair, looking pissed. “That is enough from both of you.”

  Eva sighed. “Harrison, I don’t think—”

  “No, Eva,” he interrupted. “Enough is enough.” He rubbed his forehead with the tips of his fingers. “I’m so tired of seeing the two of you argue and fight. It breaks my heart.” He looked at Kat. “I’ve never seen you like this. Either of you, and I can’t keep my mouth shut any longer.”

  “I agree,” Nana Boo muttered from her seat in the corner of the room. “Eva, I love you, but you need to back off.”

  “Back off?” Eva repeated. “Your granddaughter is ‘in love’ with a man whose wardrobe is filled with nothing but prison-issue coveralls.”

  Carter almost snorted at that one.

  “That may be so,” Nana Boo retorted angrily. “But what you seem to be oblivious to, is that the more you shout and dig in your heels, the more you will push them together. And if you’re not careful, you really will lose her.”

  Eva blinked. Kat turned to Carter with an apologetic grimace. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

  “Kat, come with Harrison and me,” Nana Boo instructed in a tone that denied argument. “Eva and Carter, you two stay here.” Her eyes softened when she caught Carter’s eye. “I’m sure it will be easier for you to talk without an audience.”

  Eva blanched. “I am not staying in here with him.”

  “Why?” Nana Boo shot back. “You afraid he’ll try to sell you an eight ball?”

  Eva was rendered wide-eyed and mute while Carter smirked.

  “Stay here,” Nana Boo ordered. “Talk.”

  She ushered Kat and Harrison out of the room, never taking her eyes from Eva. Carter couldn’t deny he was surprised Kat hadn’t argued, but remained quiet. He fixed his eyes on Eva while she paced up and down the room like a caged animal. He glanced at the large mahogany drinks cabinet across the far side of the room and the decanter of what he prayed to Jesus was whiskey.

  Bingo.

  “Well, I don’t know about you,” he said with an exhausted groan. He stood and made his way over to it. “But I need a drink.”

  Eva watched him pour two fingers into a crystal glass. He gestured toward her with it.

  “No, thank you,” she bit back, dropping back into her seat. “It’s a little early for me.”

  Carter sipped the bourbon and closed his eyes. Dutch courage never tasted so damned good. Eva avoided his stare, looking anywhere but him, staying annoyingly but not surprisingly silent. Fifteen minutes passed in the same manner until Carter couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Kat’s a lot like you, ya know.”

  Eva cocked an unimpressed eyebrow.

  “She is,” he continued. “Caring, determined, passionate. Stubborn as all hell.”

  “If this is your way of getting into my good books,” Eva said firmly, “believe me: it isn’t working.”

  “Oh, I know that,” Carter agreed. “Like Kat, you don’t back down when it comes to things you believe in.”

  “Katherine doesn’t know what she believes in.”

  “Bullshit. Kat is the most strong-minded person I know. You don’t give her enough credit. What she believes in, she does without equivocation.”

  “Impressive language,” Eva scoffed.

  “Thanks. I had a good teacher.”

  Eva sat back and crossed her legs. “Yes, you did. As I understand it, you had an upstanding education, which you threw away without thought so you could run around dealing drugs and boosting cars.”

  “It wasn’t quite like that,” Carter remarked, sipping his drink.

  “Semantics. The point is you’ve been in prison more times than most people in this country go on vacation, including your most recent stint for cocaine possession.”

  The corners of Carter’s mouth pulled down impressed. “You’ve done your homework.”

  “I love my daughter. Of course I’ve done my homework.” She eyed him. “I also know that you’re the main shareholder in one of the biggest companies in the continental US, worth millions, and yet you continue to live this insignificant life of crime.”

  Carter cleared his throat, too unnerved to fill in the blanks. “Well, at least Kat won’t go hungry, right?”

  “Are you trying to be funny?”

  Obviously not.

  He wound his index finger around the lip of his glass and closed his eyes. “Look, would you understand what I meant if I said that my last time in lockup, the cocaine, was my pound of flesh?”

  Eva frowned. “What?”

  “A pound of flesh,” he repeated, lifting his eyes to hers. “Do you know what that means?”

  Bewildered, Eva answered, “A debt that must be paid?” She paused. “You dealt cocaine to pay off a debt?”

  “No,” he replied. “I was caught with the cocaine to pay off a debt.”

  Eva rubbed her forehead in annoyance. “I’m completely confused.”

 
Carter exhaled and fingered the top of the cigarette box in his jeans pocket, needing the niconine in his blood. He sighed and leaned his elbows on his knees, detailing the story of Max and Lizzie, from the moment Max pushed him out of the way of a bullet, to the day Lizzie left.

  Eva waved her hand dismissively. “And you’re telling me this because . . .”

  Christ, she was a tough one to crack. “Because sometimes things aren’t always what they appear to be.”

  “And sometimes they are exactly as they appear to be. One act of stupidity does not change a damn thing.”

  “Granted,” Carter conceded. “I know I’m an asshole, I’ll be the first one to admit it.”

  “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” she asked. “Have you any idea about the amount of sleep I lost when she began working in that . . . prison?”

  “I can imagine.”

  “No, you can’t!” Eva snapped. “You have no idea. Being a mother is not easy, especially when your daughter insists on making everything so damned difficult.”

  “Kat didn’t take the job at Kill to make your life difficult,” Carter refuted. “She took the job to overcome her fears, to overcome what terrified her and kept her awake at night.”

  “And what do you know about that?” Eva spat.

  “Enough.” Carter pursed his lips in an effort to reel himself in. “Look, I know about her father. I know what happened. Her teaching criminals—”

  “Animals.”

  “—is her pound of flesh.”

  “To whom?”

  “To her dad.”

  Eva’s face softened and her voice dropped in volume. “What do you mean?”

  “The night he passed, she promised him she would give something back. She promised him she would become a teacher and help people, the way he’d done as a politician.” Carter glanced toward the door his Peaches had gone through. “She just wanted to keep her promise. To pay her debt.”

  Eva sat back in her seat and stared out the window. The snow had started falling again. “I didn’t know that.”

  “Like I said,” Carter murmured. “Things aren’t always as they appear.” He took a deep breath. “I’m in love with your daughter, ma’am. I’m doing this because I want to do everything right. I’m doing this because she wants to be with me, and I want to be with her.”