Learning to Forgive (The Learning Series) (34 page)

As the pursuit continues, I feel a heavy impact on the driver’s side and know whoever is chasing us is trying to run us off the road. Then we spin around so fast, the force slams me into the seats. Lyric continues to drive like a demon, and I’m sure he’s forgotten I’m in the car. He never once checks on me, and I’m a little hurt, but way too freaked out to say anything. Finally, I can tell we’ve lost them because his driving evens out. When he tells me I can sit up, I ignore him and stay where I am.

“Red. Sit up. We’re fine now.”

After sitting up, I look at him in the mirror. “What the fuck just happened?”

His eyes leave mine and he doesn’t say another word. He seems to be concentrating more on speeding down the highway than me. I sit back in my seat, careful to miss the glass and exhale, trying not to lose my shit. Two thoughts run through my head. What the hell am I into and am I going to die?

After a few moments of silence, he finally speaks. “Red. Look at me.” My eyes leave the passing night sky to meet his in the mirror. “You’re gonna be fine. I promise.”

I don’t respond. I only sit there in shock, not only from what the hell just happened but also by his presence. I don’t need any of this shit right now. I have obligations. There has to be a mistake. Anger sets in and overshadows my initial shock. My eyes narrow as the urge to cry from fury becomes an overwhelming force. “Dammit, Lyric, either answer me or take my ass home. Now. I don’t need this shit.”

“No. It’s too late for that. Don’t you see? I need to take you somewhere safe. They were waiting for you.” His voice sounds so fucking calm.

I hate it
. Hate this whole thing, whatever
this
is. How can he be so damn composed after what just happened? I could have died tonight. How could he or anyone be so damn calm? Or at least any normal person. All of the sudden, actual fear sets in and more questions form. I’m not sure if I want to know the answers but I need to ask .

“They? Who are they?
Who
are you for that matter?” He continues driving away from Mobile, still not answering my questions. “Where are you taking me?”

He breathes heavily, hesitant to respond. His eyes show his internal debate, and I’m terrified he’ll shut down and become his usual guarded self. Then he answers my last question, which causes the others to disappear from my thoughts. “To meet your sister.”

“At the center of your being you have the answer;

You know who you are and

You know what you want.”

~Lao Tzu

Lyric

Pulling into an open service station somewhere outside of Birmingham, I stop to fill the car with gas. Red’s asleep in the back seat and I don’t want to wake her, especially after all the shit that’s happened tonight, but this is our last stop before we reach Massey’s.

She’s groggy, her hair’s messy, but she’s still beautiful. When she sits up and stretches, I’d love to stare and undress her, but business comes first. I’m not sure if we’re being tailed, so we need to keep moving. “Come on. We need food and drinks. If you gotta go to the restroom, do it now. We still have a few hours ‘til we’re there.”

“And where is there exactly?” she asks with pure attitude while stepping out of the back. She ignores my offered hand and continues on her own. Not going to lie, that hurt. She’s lost trust in me, but who could blame her.

“Not here. Now hurry.”

She gives me the bird and makes her way into the store. I stay completely aware of every person that surrounds us, keeping watch for anything unusual.

When I received word yesterday about a hit on Red, I knew she’d be dead within hours. Sure enough, when I walked into the door of Martini’s last night, she was talking to Polesky’s nephew, and I knew it wouldn’t be long. I don’t know how he found out about her, but he did. Pure fuckin fear of reliving my nightmare hit me, and I dropped everything just to get to her before they did.

Confronting her in the bathroom didn’t go as I wanted, but I’d expected it after the way I treated her. Like shit. Like a piece of ass I could just walk away from. She doesn’t realize I had to force myself to leave that room. Every step out took all my will power and drove a knife between us. If only she had heard me whisper to Anya how much I fucking hated her, maybe she wouldn’t be so angry. But she couldn’t. I wanted to keep her out of this war until it was over, but I failed. I became attached and fell in love. Now she’s in danger because of it.

With Anya’s disappearance a few days ago, the dam’s broken loose and I’ve had to consider entirely new outcomes and take new precautions. I don’t think she’s joined her father and betrayed me. She has too much hate for the bastard. I believe she’s become trigger-happy and has gone to find him. Javier followed Polesky’s man until he vanished in Gulf Port, Mississippi. After word of his nearness became evident, Anya’s eyes lit up with that same malicious look. A few days later, she left, and her phone has since been shut off. She seems to be pretty damn good at her disappearing act.

Hyde has left the house and is doing recon on it now. Cameras surround it inside and out and he watches from a separate location. Jay’s isn’t open because I don’t need Polesky’s men coming in and killing innocent people. Tru and Jax are with Hyde, and even though I don’t believe Polesky cares about getting to her any more, I can’t risk it.

Now I’m taking Red to Massey’s in Tennessee. He and his wife took Savannah in when I found her starving to death. We had to pull some strings to keep her out of foster care, but with his connections, Massey was able to do it. When she’s safe with her sister, I’m heading back to Mobile to finish what I started.

Red comes out of the restroom and grabs a basket that she fills with every possible candy and soda the store holds. It’s so full, shit’s falling out of it, and she uses both arms to hold it up from the weight. I can tell she’s doing this shit on purpose. After she dumps it on the counter and the cashier bags it all up, she looks at me with narrowed eyes. “Woops! I forgot my wallet.”

Smiling in her direction, I pull out my wallet and throw two hundred dollars on the counter before grabbing the bags. “Keep the change.” I say to the cashier. When I open the door for Red, her pissed off expression has me wanting to laugh. I forgot how much I loved doing this with her.

The rest of the way, Red sits up front with her bare feet on the dash, ignoring me. She doesn’t say a damn word until she falls asleep again. Even though she appears to hate me, I know it’s a front. I might’ve ripped her apart once, but I know she still loves me. She just needs to learn the truth about who I am and what I’ve gotten her into. I’ll wait until after she meets her sister so she might see some good in the demon I am.

As I pull into Massey’s long driveway, sunlight dissolves the night and colorful orange and violet shades appear across the sky. The colors spread all over Red’s huddled form beside me. Her strawberry blonde deepens to the familiar bright red that matches her dress. Her half sleeve of intricate tattoos cascades in the light and each word and music note is more evident. This woman looks like a decorated she-devil and holds my heart in her hands. She owns me. Every fucking piece of me.

When I shut off the car, the quiet wakes her. Not wanting to get caught staring like some lovesick idiot, I look out the window. The driveway ends at a large piece of vacant property that used to be farmland. A variety of toys litters different spots in front of the two-story, brick and vinyl sided home. A large red door and a wraparound porch accent the front, and a detached three-car garage sits toward the back.

The only other time I’ve been here was when The Reform first released me. Massey had wanted me to come home with him for a real Christmas before I started pursuing Polesky. He always did look after the boys he came across. And I know he’s still fighting to end the program or destroy the current hierarchy of management.

Before walking up to the door, I shoot a quick text to tell Massey I’m here. Red decides to stay in the car and I don’t know if it’s from fear or nerves. As long as she doesn’t run, I don’t argue.

The sound of clawed feet hitting the hardwood floors gets closer, followed by heavy footsteps. Massey answers the door, not looking happy to see me. “You know this is a bad idea, right?” He stands in front of me with his back in a straight military stance. I’ve respected this man and his opinions for almost a decade, but this is not one of those times.

“You know I don’t give a shit, right?”

He rubs his shaved head and answers through a yawn. “Yeah… yeah, I know.” He looks over my shoulder, spots Red in the car, and gives me an inquisitive brow. “Come on in. Coffee’s in the kitchen.”

Turning around, I wave for Red to come on, but the stubborn girl shakes her head no. “The only way you’re gonna get her in here is by bringing Savannah into view. I’ve fucked up in the trusting me area of our relationship.”

“I’m not surprised.” He shakes his head before heading back up the stairs. When he returns, he has Savannah hanging on his hip with her tiny arms clasp tightly around his neck. Her long, strawberry red hair is in disarray, and when her sleepy eyes meet mine, she tucks her head in the crook of Massey’s neck. “I’ve just now got her warmed up to me and Sylvia. She still doesn’t talk much, but she’s just untrusting.” He grabs a warm jacket off the coatrack to cover her small body before stepping outside in the cold winter air. “Vannah, do you remember us telling you about your sister? Well, she’s here to see you. Do you want to see her?” Her head nods hesitantly. “Look?” He points to the car and she peeks through the jacket’s opening.

Red’s reaction as she sees her little sister for the first time is one of pure wonder. I had no clue she knew about her.

Red opens the car door and slowly steps up to the porch steps. I’m sure she’s freezing in just her dress and thin wrap, so I take off my leather jacket and place it over her shoulders. She doesn’t shy away. The little girl in front of her has her captivated. Blaire’s eyes well up with tears and her chest rises in a steadying breath. I’m sure she wants to appear strong, so she doesn’t break in front of Savannah.

With my arm still around her, I gently guide her up the steps. Massey steps back inside the house where it’s warm, and she follows without hesitation or argument. Savannah’s presence is like a beacon of light and Red is the lost ship. As soon as the door closes behind us, Savannah wiggles out of Massey’s arms and stands by him in her footed pink pajamas. She looks from Massey to Red as if to ask if it’s safe to go to her sister.

Red bends down to the little girl’s level, making them equals. “Hi, Savannah.” Her voice breaks, but she clears her throat to recompose herself. “My name is Blaire. I’m your big sister. Do you know that?” Savannah nods with wide green eyes. Blaire sticks out her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

The little girl walks over and grabs her hand. The terror is evident in both of their eyes as they look at one another. Red’s tears refuse to be held back any longer and leak down her cheeks. Before she can wipe them away, Savannah comes up and does it for her. “No cwy, Bwaire. Be happy.”

Red holds her little sister’s hand against her dampened cheek and gives a smile that is pure stunning. “I’m very… very happy Vannah.”