Junkyard Dog(60)

“I wish you could have met my brother and mom,” I sob.

Hayes set down his gun and sweeps me into his arms. I feel dainty while he rests me in his lap. I feel young too. Or maybe it’s how I’m crying like a baby that makes me feel young.

“What happened? Why are you upset now?”

“I talked with Honey, and she was in a bad mood, and now I’m in a bad mood.”

“You should stop hanging out with your sister,” he says instantly.

I wipe my eyes and frown. “I’m not avoiding my sister.”

“Hey, you gave me a problem, and I solved it for you.”

“I don’t want you to solve it. I want you to hug me and say you’re sorry for my loss and let me cry myself out. Then maybe we can make out a little before the kids come inside.”

“I can do that too,” he says, nuzzling my forehead. “Thanks for the instructions. Life is a lot easier with them handy.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry I’m crying.”

“Are you really?”

“No,” I sniffle. “My brother Peat was a warm and funny person who made people happy. He shouldn’t be dead.”

“Want me to have his murderer killed?”

“Maybe,” I say with a slight smile. “Ask me tomorrow when I’m calmer.”

Hayes nods while my crying turns to sniffles.

“I feel bad my mom gave up on life. I also hate her a little for that.”

“I’ve never been depressed, but I hear it’s a powerful thing.”

“I know I should be more sensitive, but she could be alive to see her grandkids. She could meet you. She could have made new friends. Had wild sex in public. She had options.”

“You said your family was genetically inclined to make bad decisions. That’s what she did. Blame genetics instead of her.”

I study his handsome face and enjoy his soft caress. This big, mean man is capable of such tenderness when he wants. Honey can’t see that about Hayes. She thinks of him as a brasher Andrew. I admit a part of me worries about Hayes too. He can often be a temperamental bitch. For right now, I only see the kindness he feels for those he loves.





THIRTY SIX - HAYES


Balthazar tells me if he dies during the flight, he blames me, and I should blame myself too. In fact, I should spend the rest of my life haunted by killing him. I assure him on the way to the airport that I’ll schedule in the guilt thing. Candy shakes her head immediately while squished in the backseat with the kids.

“Your schedule is pretty booked, boss. I don’t know if you’ll have any free time for guilt. You’ll need to delegate that to someone.”

Grunting, Balthazar isn’t happy with her big mouth or my smile in response to her comment. The old man probably wants to give her a piece of his mind, but the kids are staring at him. He knows they’re staring too. More than once, he lowers the visor to look in the mirror. No way is he checking his appearance. He’s keeping an eye on the dark-eyed demons in the backseat.

At the airport, the twins decide to sit on each side of him.

“We already have a grandpa,” Chipper says.

Cricket adds, “He flies all the time. Why don’t you?”

“I have a busy life. No time for flying.”

Balthazar’s need to impress the twins makes me laugh. Candy catches my reaction and rolls her eyes.

“Don’t encourage them. They’re tormenting an old man.”

“What do you call what you did in the car?”

“Being honest. You are busy. He’ll need to survive, or you’ll need to delegate. Don’t give me the job, though. I suck at guilt.”

“I’ll keep that in mind when you break my heart.”

Candy throws her head back and laughs so loudly the other waiting passengers frown at her. I hear someone suggest she’s drunk.

“How is that funny?” I ask, spotting Lizzy Anne heading in our direction.

“I’d never break your heart. In fact, I consider part of my job to protect it,” she says, wrapping her arms around one of mine. “Even from me.”

After giving Candy’s forehead a quick kiss, I regain my hard exterior for Lizzy Anne.

“I could have driven you or sent a car,” I tell her.

“I drove so I’d have a car nearby in case I needed to be able to make a fast getaway when we return. I’ll likely be sick of you people by the end of the trip.”

“A ray of sunshine as always,” Candy says before walking away and joining the kids.

We board first and get settled into our seats. I give Chipper the window seat, and Candy does the same with Cricket. I sit in the aisle seat with Balthazar and Lizzy Anne in front of me. My father bitches a little until he gets comfortable. Before we even take off, he falls asleep and remains out for the rest of the flight. I suspect Lizzy Anne drugged his ass.

During the takeoff and landing, Chipper gets nervous and looks to his mother for comfort. Candy tells him to hold onto me like Cricket is holding onto her. The boy isn’t sure about cuddling with me, but I take his little hand and squeeze it.

“What amusement park do you want to visit first?” I ask.

Chipper looks to his mother for reassurance again. Relaxing, he scoots closer to me and shrugs.