Chapter Fifteen
~Gentry~
“Tell me you got her safe,” I answer the phone when the screen says Judge calling.
“Yeah,” he answers and I catch my breath.
Thank fuck. As soon as I got into the fucker’s phone and saw he found them, I took off with Arika on my mind. Yes, I made provisions for Tempest’s safety, but Arika was my priority. Collector called in a marker and got us a place forty minutes outside of town to hideout until we can secure Callahan or Deen whatever he wants to go by.
“She okay?”
“Well, I’m gonna give it to you straight. The she mentioned in the text, it wasn’t Arika. Marvin Deen or Shawn Callahan – whichever you want to call him – he found Tempest. He followed her to the memorial bench she has for Stephanie.”
“Fuck!” I yell and punch the brick exterior of the house. I stepped outside so I wouldn’t scare Arika. She has all sorts of questions but I told her I couldn’t answer them until her mom arrived. How bad did I mess this up?
“She’s good, brother. Trapper was here, took the piece of shit out with his own gun. He cut her but not deep, just a flesh wound. We’re headed to you now.”
My phone beeps and it’s Tempest. I don’t say another word to Judge and click over.
“Beautiful,” I answer and hate that we are only connected by a phone.
“Gentry, is Arika safe?”
“Yes, baby, she’s with me. I got her first. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry he got to you.” I feel the tears build.
I’m a fucking man. But I can’t stop them as they fall because I failed my woman. I told her I would protect her and I fucked it up.
“No, you did what I would want. Arika always comes first, Gentry. I wouldn’t be okay with her being with anyone else.”
I hear her sob and it kills me. I have been to war and nothing has broken me more than the helpless feeling I have right now.
“We’re on our way there. Tamalyn is driving my car.”
“I haven’t told Arika anything yet. It’s your call, Tempest.”
“If there is one thing I admire most about you Gentry “Deacon” Hawkins, it’s your honesty, even if it hurts. We’ll tell her the truth.”
Feeling unsteady, I plant myself on the front step on the porch. “Okay, Tempest, I take your lead with her. God, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe he got to you.”
“That’s not on you. Please, Gentry, don’t put that on you.”
We end the call because reception becomes a challenge. The door to the house behind me opens and Arika comes out.
She plops down on the step beside me.
“We’re in danger aren’t we?”
“Your mom will explain when she gets here.” I say trying to sort my own emotions.
Arika reaches over and takes my large hand in her small one. “Seen a lot of things with what my mom has built at the shelter, Deacon. I’m asking you, not her. You brought me here because we’re in danger, yes or no? This isn’t the kind of place that screams family vacation and bonding.”
“Yeah, there is a risk factor.”
“Does it have to do with my dad?”
I don’t reply.
“I know, Deacon. I didn’t know before, but I know now. I don’t know why but for the first time in my life, I googled my mother. I guess I just took everyone’s word or maybe deep inside I knew subconsciously I couldn’t handle the truth. Either way, I put the internet to use for me. Mom always told me not to depend on a man. So, no offense, but I didn’t want to depend on you to give me the information I was looking for.” Part of me wants to laugh at her frankness and the other part wants to tell her to hold onto that attitude because men can fail like I did today.
“You know media and internet, well they don’t always get the story right.”
“He went to jail. Regardless of the details, my biological mom died because of him.”
I don’t confirm the statement, but again I won’t deny it because I won’t lie to the young woman in front of me.
“Arika, you’re a bright, strong, and amazing young woman. Don’t let anything hold you back, including who you parents are.”
“Our deal is off in case you were wondering.”
“Yeah, why’s that?” I ask but find myself relieved that I don’t have to lay it all at her feet.
“I’m gonna keep my end of it up. I won’t give my mom a hard time and no more running away. You, though, you’re off the hook. My biological mom did what she felt she had to, I feel it in my bones. Knowing about my dad now, there were reasons my mom, Tempest, didn’t tell me about him. She had her reasons and I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“That’s a very mature thing to do and attitude to have.”
She rocks a little beside me. “Yeah, I’m growing up,” she laughs.
We sit together with her holding my hand, silently waiting for Tempest to arrive. I’m thankful she doesn’t push the questions. I won’t lie to her, but I won’t cross a line with Tempest after everything she’s given to this girl.
My mind plays war inside.
I failed Tempest.
I failed my team. If I hadn’t been so far back, I would have been able to help them while they were under fire. The little voice in the back of my mind reminds me I would have been dead too, but still maybe I should have.
How many more people will I fail before I am taken from this life? Can I hold it all together to give these two women the future they deserve?