Page 24 of Last Chance Christmas

Izan said, “Probably not. But is it wrong to want to be who you are now, not who you used to be?”

“So you’ve left that life behind?”

“I’m not sure it’s left me behind. But yeah. Diego is dead, and Alonzo was in jail. The empire had been torn down, and even if someone is taking up leadership of the cartel, trying to rebuild things, it doesn’t have anything to do with me. Until they decide it does.”

“Easier to keep people at arm’s length. It’s why I became a nurse. So I could use what Mom and Dad taught us about always taking care of the little kids and making sure everyone was okay. But at the end of the day, I get to go home. They’re my patients. They aren’t part of my personal life and they shouldn’t be. But I have to be careful I don’t protect myself so much that I end up alone.”

Izan needed a change of subject. “How are they?”

“Ewan and Blair’s basketball team won the state championship. Archie just finished school for Christmas break, and he’s working at that chicken place again until he goes back to campus. Caitlin thinks her boyfriend is going to propose on New Year’s Eve.”

“Thanks.” At least one of them was keeping up with family business.

“They’re all going to be at the church tomorrow night, helping put up the decorations for Christmas. If you’re not working, you could come and help.”

He nodded but didn’t commit to anything.

“And Junior is coming to Sunday dinner this weekend.”

He whipped around to look at her. “What? You just met today!”

She grinned. “Not today. We’ve been dating for a month.”

“A month. Wow. It’s serious.”

She slapped his arm. “I’m bringing him dinner tonight.”

Izan wanted to laugh. “He’s got stitches in his shoulder, so at least there’s not much trouble you can get up to.” He didn’t even want to think about that. His sisters and romance? Not something he wanted to go near.

“You should bring Olivia with you on Sunday.”

He coughed. “Not sure either of us is ready for that.”

“Plus, there are criminals on the loose in your house.”

He heard the edge in her tone and said, “It worked out. Olivia was there.”

“He could’ve killed you.” Her tone flattened. “I heard what happened when Olivia was telling those other cops. You nearly died.” She turned into the hospital parking lot, bumping up the curb before she came to a stop in a space not far from where he’d parked. “Are you really going to stay at your house? He could come back.”

Izan had to admit he wasn’t looking forward to going back there. “I’ll get some things and go sleep at the firehouse.”

“Okay.” She relaxed a fraction, but not much. She was worried about him.

“I’ll be all right.”

“That man could come back.”

Izan tugged his sister over and gave her a side hug, kissing her forehead. “I promise I’ll be careful, and I’ll get somewhere safe.”

The cops would be watching his house now that Sosa had shown up there. But he figured that meant the escaped convict wouldn’t be coming back anytime soon. Maybe never.

Fine by me.

“Invite her to Sunday dinner.”

He chuckled as he climbed out of the car, then drove home and packed a bag. True to his word, he locked up the house and went to Eastside, where the shift on duty were eating dinner. Someone had left a Bible open on the table to the pages in Luke that detailed the Savior’s birth.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.