Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Sir, you’re in rough shape,” one of them says. “You have burns. I’m pretty sure you’ve been shot.”
“But I have it,” I say, grinning wickedly. “I have it. Call the others, tell them to get it.”
“Good timing. This place is going to burn to the ground.”
We rush back outside. The fresh air is painfully good. I slump against a truck, the briefcase clutched in my left hand, as I take out my phone with my right. I call Saverino to tell him the good news.
“Stellan? Are you okay?” He sounds like he’s on the edge of losing it. “I heard there was a firefight—”
“I got the book back.”
He lets out a grunt. “That’s good. That’s really good. But listen, something happened. I don’t know what.”
Dread hits me. This should be a joyous moment, except Saverino sounds like he’s marching in front of a death squad. “Tell me.”
“There was a fight… at your house. I think your wife and your sister-in-law are there. The soldiers you sent… they were intercepted…”
He says more, but I don’t hear.
I throw the phone onto the passenger seat, leap behind the wheel of the truck, and peel out.
KIRA
I’m afraid for Stellan when I get back to the house. I wish he was here with me, but I know what he’s doing is important. I make my way up to Gem’s floor and find her sitting in a little reading nook, textbooks open in her lap. She’s slumped sideways, not moving, her eyes closed—
“Huh? Oh, hey.” She startles, smiling blearily. “You’re home. When did that happen?”
I hug her tight. “Just got in now.”
“Why do you smell so badly?”
“It’s a really long story.”
“Let me guess. That story involves Mom fucking something up.”
“Basically, yeah.”
“Tell me everything.”
I slip into the nook with her, and for a long moment, I just enjoy being close to my sister again. I missed her like crazy, and seeing my mother only reminded me of all the reasons I’ve been working so hard. Even though Mom’s an asshole who abandoned us, I won’t be that person.
I tell Gem about the trailer park, about Mom’s little house, and about the pawn shop. I leave off the part about nearly getting killed.
“God, that sounds just like her, doesn’t it? She takes something important and pawns it for almost nothing.”
“But at least we found it, right?”
“Totally. Wow, look at you. Already getting used to the life.”
“The life of what?”
“A mob wife.” She grins at me and snuggles closer. “You like it, don’t you?”
“I don’t know.” I stare at the ceiling, frowning. “I mean, I do, don’t get me wrong, but—”
“It’s okay, you know.” Gem’s voice gets soft and gentle. “You’re allowed to be happy.”
“I know that.”
“But do you? I mean, do you really? It’s okay now. Stellan’s taking care of the money stuff, right? You don’t have to spend your whole life killing yourself for me anymore. You can be happy.”
“Gemmy—”
“No, really, I mean it. I should’ve said this to you a long, long time ago, but I never really got it until recently.” She lifts her face and meets my gaze. “I love you, Kira. You’re truly the best big sister anyone could ever ask for. You’ve done so much for me, so now I’m going to do something in return.” She hugs me tight. “You’re done. I don’t need you anymore.”
That hurts like a kick to the teeth. I sit there, stunned and not sure how to answer. She grips me harder, squeezing.
“You don’t mean that,” I barely manage to wheeze.
“I really, really do. You’re finished. You’ve done too much already. Whatever happens to me will be my own fault now. You can’t live your life for me anymore, Kira. You need to live it for yourself.”
I blink back tears. God, why am I crying so much lately? “I have been doing that already. Taking care of you has been for me too.”
“But you’re done now. You have Stellan. You have a life and a new family to build. You want that with him, right?”
“Yes,” I say, barely a whisper, because it’s true. I want him. I love him. More than I thought I could or would. I never knew there was this much space inside of me for anyone but Gem. Now there’s a big Stellan-shaped chamber in my heart.
“Good. Love him. You’re not responsible for me.”
Tears flow freely now. I struggle not to sob. “What am I going to do when you’re not the center of my world anymore?”
“Find a new center. Make it yourself or Stellan or whatever you want. I’m going to be okay. I promise. I love you, and I’m going to be okay.”
I let go. I cry, hugging her, because she’s right. It’s time to move on. Gem’s going to college. She’s old enough to take care of herself. I’ll always be here to help her, but I don’t have to make it my entire life.