Add that in with the anticipation of seeing Jakey, and I’m on another level today.
Dressed in warm clothes, I come out to find Cain bundled up in his coat and a scarf. He holds a second travel cup of coffee out for me. “Decaf. Otherwise you’re going to be too hyped up. We’ll be stopping by Lenny’s house afterward.”
I frown. “Can we pick up some flowers for his wife?”
A muscle in Cain’s jaw flexes. “Of course.”
I sip at the hazelnut coffee as we ride the elevator down into the parking garage. When the doors open and the cool winter air hits me, I freeze up.
Cain glances back at me, brows furrowing. “What’s wrong?”
“Last time you took me out, someone was murdered.” My fingers reach to flip the safety pins I usually keep on my pants. Only, I’m wearing the clothes Cain bought me, fitted black jeans and a knitted cream sweater.
Picking up on my habitual movement, Cain frowns. “Ezra, we’re taking a bulletproof vehicle and security this time. I have a team assigned to watch over Lenny’s wife and your friend.”
I push out a breath, encouraged forward by his steady gaze. He leads me over to a sleek black Mercedes Benz. As soon as he turns the key, heavy bass vibrates the speakers. His hand snaps to the volume button, and I snicker.
“What is this, Mr. Vincent? You listen to the rap music?”
He gives away nothing in his face. “Hush, little thief.”
“Careful. Someone might think you’re a normal man under that beautiful, stone-cold exterior.”
Cain drives us out onto the streets. We’re followed by an unmarked black Sinro vehicle which I try to ignore as I tap my fingers on the window to the beat of the music.
Thirty minutes outside of the city, we cross through the gates of a sprawling estate. It’s the fanciest place I’ve ever seen. Several cottages line the curving road toward a massive three-story building with balconies and dormers. It looks like some sort of holiday resort.
There’s a pond with a fountain, surrounded by willow trees and a walking path, and a giant front porch along the main building filled with rocking chairs occupied by elderly people. They greet us as we walk to the automatic front doors.
“What fine-looking men have come to entertain us today!” The tinier of the silver-haired women calls out. This is followed up by a whistle from her friend beside her, wrapped up in a knitted pastel blanket.
I can’t help a surprised laugh, and when I look up at Cain, he’s fighting back a smile.
“Ladies,” he greets.
We leave them chattering like squirrels as we stride through the doors. The manager, a kind woman named Janice, comes out of the office to take our names and guide us through the long halls to a community center.
“This is great. It’s so rare that our residents get visitors,” Janice says.
I reach to squeeze Cain’s hand. I’m too choked up with emotion to speak when I get my first look at Jakey on one of many floral print couches positioned in a large circle, surrounded by other seniors allknitting away. His hair has been washed and cut neat to his scalp, and he’s dressed in a clean sweater, blue jeans, and new sneakers.
I don’t think I’ve seen him look so happy since I met him in that scrapyard when he invited me around his bonfire. He worked so hard to earn my trust. Made me feel needed. Safe. Loved.
My body locks up on the spot. Do I have a right to be in his life anymore? He’s obviously well cared for now. Am I better left forgotten?
“Is it expensive to keep him here?” I ask.
Cain strokes warm fingers along the back of my neck. “Don’t worry about it. I have more money than I know what to do with.”
With hesitant steps, I move closer to the couches.
“Jakey?” I say, to which several curious heads raise.
As soon as Jakey’s watery blue eyes meet mine, he cracks a heart-wrenching smile. “My Ezra! I told you old farts he was real. My boy has come to visit me.”
I drop down between his legs and wrap my arms around his waist. “I’m so glad you’re okay. You’re okay, right?”
He pats my hair, trying to smooth down a wave determined to escape my head. “You kidding me? I schooled everyone in bingo yesterday. I’ve got a little side business going on for my knitting, too. Seventeen orders already. Can you believe it?”
