Page 76 of Great White
Morales shakes his salt-and-pepper head mournfully. “Be careful not to love someone so much that you ignore the truth about them.”
His advice causes me to pause.I’m not ignoring anything . . . am I?
I nod contemplatively before I exit the car, scanning the garage for any prying eyes.
18
Dove
The female correctionsofficer slides my things through the hole in the Plexiglas window. They’re stuffed in a plastic bag.
“You can change in there, and then you’re free to go.” She’s lackadaisical. She must truly love her job.
I take my things, still as confused as when they came to get me. I change quickly and leave the scratchy scrubs on the tiny room’s floor.
I walk out into the daylight and let the sun beat down on my face. It’s too bright for my eyes, but I ignore the dark spots and relish in the freedom. Solitary confinement severely fucks with your optic nerves.
When I lower my face, I find the last person I wanted to see standing in front of me.
“What are you doing here?”
Tate just smiles. “I don’t even get a thank you?”
“Thank you for what?” Then, I realize. “You got me out?”
“I’m taking full credit. Now, let’s go.” He grabs my arm, but I yank it away.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“Keeping you alive. We have to go now.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“You don’t have any other option. Raffi is out to kill you, and Stefania is with Marco. You’re burned, baby. I’m your last line of defense. So, let’s go.” He drags me toward the car.
“Ugh, you’re so obnoxious.”
“If it means keeping you safe and alive, I’ll be as obnoxious as I have to be.”
Once we’re inside Tate’s truck, he peels away, and my anger only begins to grow.
“Where the fuck are we going?”
“Safe house.”
“How did you get me out?”
“That’s for me to know.”
“More secrets, what a surprise.”
“You’re aTenientesfor a drug cartel. You’re in no position to judge me.”
“At least I never lied about who I am.”
“Yeah, you can hold that against me all goddamn day. Doesn’t change the fact I’m here right now, trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need you to protect me.” I lash out.
