Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
“I’ve not even had a chance to talk to you. Surely you can stay tonight.” Again, she smiled in my direction. “Besides, you haven’t had the chance to introduce me to Pippa.” Angel’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and I softened toward the other woman. Yeah, there was no need to worry Angel thought her son less somehow for what he’d done and gone through. This was a woman who was just grateful to have her son back.
Gunnar pulled his mother into his arms and held her tight. “I’ve missed you, Mom. I’m sorry about what happened.”
“Is what Mama said true? Did you take the blame for that bastard’s death?” Angel didn’t let go of her son or insist on looking him in the eyes when she asked. It was almost like she didn’t really want to know. I could imagine it, because it sounded like Gunnar’s sister was carrying a boatload of guilt.
“Does it matter, Mom? I mean, really matter? I’m out. I’m OK. Now, I’m trying to be the kind of man Dad always expected me to be.”
“Honey, you are the man your dad wanted you to be and have been for a long time. Since before you went to prison. What you did was something your dad would have done. If he tries to tell you how he’d have been smart and asked for help, he’s lying.” Angel finally pulled back and smiled at her son, laying her hand on his cheek again. “When I came to see you a few weeks ago, and they told me you weren’t there, I was scared out of my mind.” She took in a shuddering breath. “Especially since the last time I saw you, we fought.”
Gunnar sighed. “I wasn’t angry at you, Mom. I was worried about Hannah and took out my fear and frustration on you. Every week you came to visit, you asked me to tell you what happened. Without exception. Every week for fifteen years. I’d have been worried if you hadn’t asked.” He glanced away. “It would have felt like you’d given up on me.”
“I’ve missed you so much, honey. I know Hannah didn’t come often, but I see now she felt guilty. I could see it in her every day and thought it was because she looked at it as you going to jail because she ratted out that bastard. Now, I know why.”
“Is she with you?”
“Yes. She’s probably standing outside the door wringing her hands. It’s what she’s done since she found out you were out of prison. Each day that passed without us hearing from you, the more she withdrew from us.”
Gunnar gave me a helpless look, like he didn’t know what to do, when I’d bet my life this man was never indecisive.
“Go hug your sister,” I said softly. “Sounds like you both got shit on, and she’s hurting just as badly as you are.”
He hesitated but reached over to squeeze my hand. “I won’t be long.”
“No. You need to spend some time with your mother and sister. You need this. Sounds like they do too.”
“How about we compromise.” Gunnar stepped closer to me, holding my hand in both of his. “You take a bath and clean up. Take as much time as you want. Lay down and sleep the rest of that drug off. I’ll come get you in a couple of hours and we’ll head south.”
“They said your dad was out of the country or something, earlier? Did I hear that?”
“Yeah. He’s on his way back now, but it’s a long-ass flight.”
“I think you really might be avoiding your father.” I kept my expression as blank as I could until Mama barked out a laugh before clapping a hand over her face. Then Angel and Mama both started laughing and I couldn’t help but smile.
Gunnar shook his head, but he was grinning. “Wait until you meet my dad. You’ll understand.”
Chapter Four
Gunnar
I had no intention of waiting around until my dad got here. Not necessarily because I didn’t want to face him yet, though I’d admit to being a little… apprehensive. If my brothers had given us this kind of welcome, I had no idea if they were playing off my father or simply protecting their families. I could kind of understand the second, but if that was the case, they didn’t see me and Pippa as important as the rest of the family. I was already roiling on the inside. The last thing I wanted was confirmation of how badly I’d fucked up with my dad.
Pippa squeezed my hand and gave me a small smile. She was doing this for me when I could tell she didn’t want to be by herself. But she didn’t know me. I thought she might trust me since I’d been the one to rescue her, but she had to be questioning everything around her after finding out what I’d done. It was just one more blow to my chest, because I intended to keep my promise to Knuckles. I would claim Pippa as my old lady whether she wanted me to or not. With that claim, I’d treat her with the respect an old lady deserves. If she didn’t want me in any other capacity, that was her choice, but I’d always be there to protect and care for her until I died, or Knuckles revoked the privilege.