Page 42 of Falcon

I wanted to say no, but Falcon looked so earnest, and if Jayes had some talent, I’d be selfish to deny him this chance. I’d be no different from Dawson. Hell no, I wouldn’t stop my son.

“Okay, but I need some clothes from the house.”

“We can sort that out later. How about we get you back to Jayes?” Falcon suggested, and I nodded. There was just one problem.

“Falcon, I’ve nothing to wear.”

“Shit, right. Here. Rosie sent these,” Falcon said. “They’re new. Rosie thought a wrap dress would be easier to handle than a slip-on.” He placed a bag on the chair next to my bed.

“Um, Falcon?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you leave?” I asked, and he laughed.

“Sorry, I’ll be outside.”

“Thanks,” I replied as a nurse bustled in.

“I don’t see the point in this!” I griped as Falcon pushed me towards the entrance in a wheelchair. The nurse pursed her lips but carried on walking beside me.

“Because you could injure yourself before you leave and sue their asses. Myka, stop complaining,” Falcon said with a teasing note.

My mouth opened and then closed. Falcon was correct. I was ungrateful. “Sorry,” I muttered.

Falcon stopped pushing me and leant down. “You don’t apologise. You’re in pain, confused, lost, and scared, and that’s all okay to be. I get it, Myka.”

Now I felt even smaller, and I nodded but kept quiet. Falcon was right. I experienced all of those emotions, and this hadn’t been my plan. I should be safely ensconced in a safe house run by the Parks and organising my divorce. Instead, Dawson, as usual, had thrown a spanner in the works. His timing was impeccable.

Dawson couldn’t possibly have known what I was up to. Still, it felt as if the world was against me. For six years, I’d put up with Dawson’s abuse and that of his family. My mother-in-law, Wanda-Faye, was as bad as her sons. My father-in-law, Billy-Ray, was drunk most of the time, but when riled, he was also a mean sonofabitch.

I was shocked they’d not been to see me yet. Had Sheriff Cates visited them? That would make sense, and maybe she’d warned them off. But then Wanda-Faye was never one to listen to advice. That’s where her asshole sons got it from.

“Wait here, I’ll fetch my car,” Falcon said, and jogged away.

“Are you going to be okay?” the nurse asked, but I sensed her lack of interest.

“Yes.”

A smart black truck pulled up minutes later. Falcon hopped out, and the nurse sighed. I gave her a sideways glance as she smiled sweetly. It was so satisfying when Falcon ignored her and helped me. As soon as I was up, he scooped me into his arms and carried me to the passenger seat.

“Falcon!” I squealed, turning red, and he smirked at me.

“You can’t exactly walk on your own,” he retorted, and placed me carefully in the seat. I settled in and tried to reach the seatbelt. Falcon reached up and snapped it into place. He jogged back around to the driver’s side, and moments later we were on the road.

“How has Jayes been?” I asked. It had been selfish of me, but since I’d woken up, I’d concentrated on healing. It might have only been for two days, but I realised I couldn’t care for Jayes without being one hundred per cent fit myself. Getting my emotions under control would allow me to give Jayes everything he needed.

“Kid’s missed you. Jayes thinks you were sick, as that was the kindest thing to tell him. Jayes is smart for his age,” Falcon said.

“Yeah, he is,” I agreed proudly.

“And I took him swimming this morning. Jayes swam the full length of the pool. I couldn’t believe it. A day ago, he couldn’t swim, and today he achieved that. Seriously, Jayes has talent.”

Inwardly, I preened at the compliment. Jayes was special because he was my son, but I loved hearing that other people thought so too. We arrived at a set of gates, and I opened my eyes wide. Two men stood guard, and the gate rolled back. Falcon parked outside a large two-storey square building opposite a parking lot, and I guessed this was the clubhouse.

“We are having houses built, but the builder turned into an ass. Three of us have homes, but the rest stay here for now,” Falcon explained, turning to me.

“Isn’t that tight?”