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Settimo nods and gestures toward the door. “You need to hurry.”
I rush from the room, holding my shoulder. I’m right to assume they wouldn’t park on the street. Two SUVs wait in the alley, one of them being the one I came here in. Anthony is at the wheel waiting for me, and as soon as I get in the back seat, he peels away.
I catch a few curtains moving in a few houses, and I wonder how much money they will have to pay to keep people quiet. Probably nothing. Threats work well for the Grucos.
Abi is in the middle, with Zeke snuggled into her side, her arm wrapped around him protectively. She puts her hand on mine and implores me with green eyes that have never looked more beautiful.
“Thank you,” she whispers. “You came through for us.”
“I promised you I would, remember?”
She nods and smiles. Tears fall from her eyes, and she wipes them away.
“I had a lot of help.” I gesture toward the front seat where Anthony sits and Abi laughs.
“I’m beginning to like your family.”
I smile. “Me too.”
Abi’s face grows solemn and she looks just past me. “Is he…?”
“No,” I say, turning her to face me. I glance over her shoulder at Zeke and whisper low enough so he can’t hear. “I didn’t want to do that to Zeke… but I promise you, he’ll get what he deserves. Trust me.”
“I do,” she whispers. She leans into me with a kiss, and all pain fades away as I melt into her. Soft, pink lips pressed against mine, that’s all that enters my consciousness.
I force myself to break it, needing to say something more than I’ve needed anything in my entire life.
“I love you,” I whisper.
Abi smiles. “I know… I love you too.”