“I could call it ‘Sunshine and Sprinkles.’” I smile at the thought. I have been so caught up in everything that has happened that I haven’t really thought about what I want to do when life goes back to normal.
“You could. I want you to make a life here with me. I want you to be happy.”
“I’m happy.” I frown at him.
“You’re happy now, but I’ve seen you bake. You smile when you’re baking.”
“My real mom used to bake. I don’t remember much about it, but I know it was something she loved doing, and when I moved, my adoptive dad taught me how to bake. I used to love that quiet time with him. Then, when I left home, it was something that made me feel connected with a time when I felt loved,” I say, whispering the last part.
“You wanna talk to me yet?” he asks cautiously.
“Not yet,” I reply just as carefully, hoping that, one day, I will have the courage to open up to him. He’s right. It’s not fair for me to expect so much from him when I haven’t fully been honest.
He rolls to his side and places his face near mine. “When you’re ready, love, I’m here.”
“I know.” And I do know that I need to talk to him about it, but I hate myself a little for what was done to me. Even with the counseling I received and knowing that it wasn’t my fault, I still hate that I wasn’t stronger, that I didn’t fight harder.
His arm slides around my waist, and his hand goes under my neck then up to thread through my hair at the back of my head, pulling my face closer to his chest. I wrap an arm around him in return then drift back to sleep.
When I wake a couple of hours later, I hear Kai talking to Aye at the door, and when Pika’s name comes up, my ears perk up.
I have been worried about my friend, and Aye seems to be keeping his lips sealed on where he is, so the only thing I can imagine is that wherever he has gone to is not safe. Kai turns around to face me then says something out the door before walking over to where I’m still lying.
“What’s going on?” I murmur as he comes to sit down on the side of the bed.
“Nothing.” He leans over and kisses me, but I can tell that something’s wrong.
“Please talk to me,” I beg him.
“I have to go away for a few days.”
“Why?” I sit up, pulling the blankets up with me, and scoot back to the headboard. I don’t know what I will do if he tells me that we’re over now.
“There’s some business I need to attend to in Vegas.”
“Okay,” I say slowly, hoping he will continue. But instead, he looks around the room, anywhere but at me. “What is it?”
He stretches out his neck then looks at me again. “Pika’s in jail.”
“He’s in jail?” I feel my eyes get wide. “What did he do?”
“Don’t know. No one knows. The cops aren’t letting him speak to anyone.”
“That’s illegal,” I tell him.
He smiles then frowns. “I really don’t want to leave you.”
“I can come with you if you want,” I suggest.
“You’re not coming with me. You’re safest here.”
He’s right. Here, all the flights and boats that come to the island are monitored, so Kai’s men know if someone shows up. Plus, the house is completely secure. I feel safe here, and I know I wouldn’t be able to say the same thing if I went to Vegas, even with Kai.
“I’m not sure how long I will be gone, but I need to go and make sure he’s okay.”
“I understand. I’ll be fine. Is Aye staying with me?”
“Aye and Frank,” he replies.
“So, basically, Aye is going to have to watch over Frank and me while you’re gone?”
“Basically.” He smiles and I giggle. “It makes my uncle feel useful.”
“I like him a lot, and, your mom’s right. He’s funny, even if he is crazy.”
“He likes you too. All of my family does,” he says in a tone I have come to crave from him. Something about the way his voice goes soft makes that warmth seep into every cell in my body.
“Who are you taking with you?”
“My brother. I have my cousin and some men in Vegas, so I know that, once I get there, we’ll be good.
“I hope Pika’s okay. He didn’t even say goodbye to me before he left,” I whisper.
“He’ll be fine,” he says gruffly, and I nod.
I know Kai will make sure Pika is okay. I just wonder why the police are keeping him quiet.
“When do you need to leave?” I ask.
“After I get ready. The plane is being prepared as we speak.”