Footsteps(116)

A lump grew in her throat as she understood that, and Sabina resolved to make a better effort to be patient with Rosa. Perhaps even to reach out to her, if she would allow it. And Joey. Sweet Joey. When he was well, Sabina would sit him down and talk with him. He was a good boy—no. He was a man. He was a good man. Only lost.





She was still standing in the hallway when Elsa, who’d been lying at the end of the hall, stood and went to the front of the house. The door opened. Sabina went around the corner and saw Carlo, Trey sleeping on his shoulder, standing with Nick, his cousin.





His voice low, Carlo said, “Thanks, man. I got it from here.”





Nick nodded. His air of intensity and menace still made Sabina nervous, even though she’d had a chance to speak with him once or twice, and he’d seemed pleasant enough. “Yeah. Take it easy, coz. I guess my dad’ll be in touch. Or Uncle Ben.”





He gave Elsa a quick ruffle and then left, and Carlo closed the door. He turned to Sabina. “Hi, baby. I’m so glad you’re here.”





“I’d be nowhere else. He is good?” She went to them and put her hand on Trey’s slim back. He was lying with his cheek on his father’s shoulder, his open mouth lax and a little smooshed. She cocked her head and looked more closely. His upmost cheek was mottled with bruising. She looked up and found Carlo watching her, his beautiful brown eyes full of pain. “Carlo?”





“We’ll talk, but I need to get him down. Uncle Ben is sending his doctor over, and we can expect the cops to show. I need to tell you our story, so you have it straight. And then I’ll tell you about our night—or, our morning, I guess.” He headed toward the staircase, and Sabina followed.





“You must be exhausted. Can you rest?”





“I’m not tired. I will be, I’m sure. But my head is too busy.” Trey fussed and stirred as they topped the stairs. “Hey, pal. We’re home.”





Trey lifted a sad, sleepy face and looked around. “Home?”





“Yep. All safe.” Elsa licked Trey’s leg, and he looked down at her. Carlo smiled. “See? Elsa’s been waiting for you.” He went into Trey’s room. “And look. Ms. Bina got your bed all ready for you. You think you can sleep more?”





Trey nodded, and Carlo took off his shoes and socks, his dirty shirt and shorts. While Carlo undressed him, Sabina went to the window and pulled the curtains closed, taking the sunlight out of the room.





As Carlo tried to tuck him into his sleeping bag, Trey muttered, “Chomp chomp.”





“You want your shark socks?”





Trey nodded, and Carlo looked up at Sabina with a real smile. “You did good, Bina.” He grabbed the socks from the top of Trey’s little dresser and slid them on his feet. “How’s that, pal?”





“Elsie.”





“She’s right here.” Carlo patted the mattress next to Trey’s head, and Elsa laid her head next to her boy’s. She was so big she didn’t even have to get up from where she’d lain next to the bed. Trey hooked an arm over the dog’s neck and stuck his thumb into his mouth.





“I’ll be very close, Trey. Right here if you need me. You sleep. Everything’s good now. Okay?”





Already asleep, Trey didn’t answer. Carlo took Sabina’s elbow and led her from the room.





When they were in the hallway, Sabina asked, “Was he hurt?”





Carlo led her into his—their?—bedroom and sat her on the bed. He sat next to her. “Not too much. She hit him, and he has a couple of other bruises, like he got grabbed hard. He hasn’t talked much. We’ll have Dr. Kerr give him a look-over and make sure, but he’ll be okay.”





Sabina watched his fists clenching and unclenching and wondered how much Carlo believed of what he was saying to her. “And her?”





“She won’t be a problem ever again. Don’t know about the guy. Know his name, but he bailed before we found ‘em. The Uncles still have people on it, but the important thing is Trey is home. We didn’t lose him.” His voice cracked. “I didn’t lose him.”





Sabina put her arms around him. “No. He’s here. He’s with you. Where he belongs.” Carlo leaned over then, into her, as if his body had gone boneless. She held him more tightly and tucked his head against her neck. Combing her fingers through his hair, she whispered, “I love you, Carlo. Te amo.”





All of a sudden, he wasn’t boneless anymore. He was the opposite of boneless. His tense hands came around her and clutched at her clothes, pulling her closer to him. She felt his mouth, his teeth and tongue, on her neck, and she realized what was happening. She was surprised, but if it was what he needed, she was willing.