The shower is running when I return. Opening the bathroom door, I see her clothes strewn across the floor. “You okay?” I ask, rolling my eyes at my own stupid question.
“I’d be better if you were in here.” At her answer I’m stripping. Moments later, I’m lathering her body with soap. “Did you mean what you said? About finding me a way out?” she asks, keeping her eyes closed as my fingers massage shampoo into her scalp.
“Every word.” I reassure her by pressing my lips against her forehead—a gesture I know makes her feel wanted and safe.
I’m shampooing her hair for the second time, her request, when she asks, “How?”
“Do you trust me?” Cracking one eye open, she tells me she does without hesitation. “Then let me worry about that. I promised I’d take care of you and I will.”
“What about you?” She looks down at our feet, mindlessly washing the same part of my stomach over and over. “Who’s going to take care of you?” This time, she meets my eyes, searching for an answer.
“Rookie,” I shrug, smirking.
She cocks her head to the side, a concerned look on her face. “Seriously, Shady.”
Pushing the wet strands of hair back from her head, I grab the back of her neck. Staring into her eyes, I tell her the truth. “I can take care of both of us. So promise me that you’ll let me handle this.” It takes her a minute, but finally she finds something in my eyes that makes her believe that what I’m saying is the truth.
“Okay. I promise.”
I smile. “Good. Now, unless you’re trying to remove my skin, try washing me somewhere else.”
* * *
While Diem attempts to cook something that I swear I’m not going to bitch about, I sneak away to call Rookie. “I need you to come over and stay with Diem while I handle a few things,” I tell him as soon as he answers.
“Want me to bring Carrie?” I think about that a moment. Either way, it had its pros and cons. But four eyes on Diem were better than two.
“Yeah. But Rookie,” I say, lowering my tone with warning. “Do not let her out of your sight. I mean it. I’m trusting you.”
“Who the hell has you so paranoid? I’ll shoot her in the foot if I have to, but I give you my word she won’t leave my sight.” The sad part about that is he’s telling the truth. I am paranoid. And he would shoot her if he had to. I just hope it doesn’t come to that.
* * *
“Something smells good,” I lie, walking back into the kitchen.
“It’s a fucking sandwich, Shady.” Good to see she hasn’t lost her attitude.
I scan the counter looking for mine. “You make me one?” I ask, my eyes still searching.
“One time. One time I lose my shit.” She glares at me. “I had an emotional breakdown. Not amnesia. I still remember who I am, and the last time I checked I didn’t make you sandwiches.”
I can’t take my eyes off her. I can’t wipe this smile from my face either. I love her so fucking much. Just like this. This is my Diem—bitchy, self-centered, and bossy. I think it’s the cabin. Almost every good memory we have was shared here. I was going to miss this place.
“Stop looking at me like that. It’s creepy.” She grabs her sandwich and her milk, heading straight for my recliner. Dressed in my shirt, she pulls it down over her legs, using her knees as a table. I hear the opening credits of Gunsmoke and capture this moment. Then I remember all the other moments we’ve had together. Like so many times before, I’m prepared to give my life for the ones I love. Today might be my final day, but it would be just the beginning for Diem.
* * *
Rookie and Carrie arrive, and judging by the smile on Diem’s face, the decision to bring Carrie was the right one. I jerk my head toward the bedroom and Rookie follows. Closing the door behind me, he starts before I have a chance to say what I need to.
“Carrie will not let Diem out of her sight.” The finality in his tone has me shaking my head. He just ignores me. “I trust her. You should too. But I’m coming with you.”
“No,” I say firmly. “I need you here. If this shit goes south, this will be the first place they come. I won’t leave our girls to fend for themselves. I need you here. They need you here.” He doesn’t like it, but finally he agrees.
“Fine. But if I don’t hear from you by morning, I’m coming to get you.”
I nod. “Call Cleft. Get him to arrange for her to have a passport in a different name. Have him meet her at the airport in Houston along with a one-way ticket out of the country. There is some money in my safe along with the information for my accounts overseas. If I’m not back by morning, put her ass on a plane and get her out of here. If you don’t, she will die.”