Page 108 of Kings Don't Break

All things she deserves every waking moment of her life.

All things I’d kill to ensure she has.

So long as she’ll never have to sleep another night worried by what danger could be coming.

She’ll never have to know the details.

“I told Korine I’ll handle it,” I say, tearing my gaze off her. I pierce the other two with a look that’s eerily calm and resolute. “And I meant it.”

Whatever it takes.

25

KORINE

“What would you do without us, Korine?” Chaz asks with a whistle. He’s greased up from another long morning in the Chop Shop, his coveralls in need of a deep spin in the washer. Not that Chaz washes them as often as he should (by his own admission).

I remain unfazed, setting my tools down on the stainless steel cart we’ve wheeled out while working on our latest job. “Are you sure you don’t have that the other way around? Because I’m pretty sure it should be.”

His lips break apart in a gap-toothed smile. “You sure you want to be Cash’s old lady? ’Cuz I’m pretty sure you and I got something going on. Have I mentioned I enjoy long walks on the beach at sunset? Or whatever chicks like?”

A sharp laugh slips out of me before I can contain it. I give Chaz a sympathetic pat on the shoulder and tell him, “Nice try. But I’m a taken woman.”

“Worth a shot,” he says, shrugging. “I figure it’ll work on a lady sooner or later.”

“Good luck with that. Let me know how it goes. As for me, if anyone asks, I’m taking my lunch.”

“Don’t you want to wait for your man to get back? Shouldn’t take him long to make it from One Stop with the spark plugs.”

“Tell him I’m picking up Mama from her latest appointment. I’ll have my phone on me.”

I hop in the truck Blake’s been letting me use and drive across town to the doctor’s office. From the moment I’m escorting her out the door and across the parking lot, I pick up on a funny vibe from Mama. Buckling her into the passenger seat, I check on her.

“How did the appointment go, Mama?”

She mumbles something about it being fine but offers no other specifics. I move around to the driver’s side and slide behind the wheel.

“Do you want to stop by the frozen yogurt shop? We can grab a cup of your favorite—sugar-free vanilla with dark chocolate chunks.”

“That’s okay, baby. I’d like to go home.” She rests her head against the seat, eyes closed and her hands folded on her belly.

A frown takes over my expression as I try to reset my attention to the road. Mama’s usually so chatty after her doctor’s appointments. Even after particularly difficult treatments, she talks my ears off until we’re pulling up at home. For her to be so quiet is unlike her.

“Doctor Beyene said you did well today,” I say, hoping to prompt a conversation.

“Mhmmm,” she hums.

“He mentioned some new medication?”

“That’s right, baby. The nurse gave it to me.”

Silence persists. So much so that the noises from surrounding traffic and the gentle whistle from a gust of wind fill up the blank space in the truck.

I twist off the ignition when we’ve reached our apartment complex, racking my brain for what could be the cause of Mama’s shift in mood.

“How about I take the rest of the day off and we watch some TV? I think Judge Joanne is on. It’s supposed to be a new one.”

“Sure.”