The past fifteen years was just a warmup for the most important job of my life.
Bring it on, assholes.
I’m ready to take you down.
“Let’s do this.”
Strategizing with Ghost took longer than I realized, and walking back out to the living area, I see Asha curled up in a chair with Bessy watching a movie.
Bessy’s eyes are glued on the television and Asha is fast asleep beside her.
From where Cassie is feeding Eli, she raises her finger to her lips to make sure we’re quiet. She beckons us close to her.
“The poor thing is exhausted, and to be honest, she’s trying to hide it but she’s petrified. You need to take her to the cabin, Bull, and let her rest and try to process what’s going on.” Cassie pauses to look across at my girl who hasn’t moved. “I know,” she says, “because I’ve been there.”
Ghost puts his hand on her shoulder to offer comfort. I’m sure us being here is bringing up old memories.
Cassie offers me a sad smile. “No matter how much you tell her she’s safe, she needs to feel it in her bones, not just hear the words in her head.”
“I think I understand what you’re saying.” I want to take all this away for her, but I can’t.
“And here’s a big tip,” Ghost whispers to me, trying to pretend like Cassie won’t hear him. “Don’t lie to her or keep anything from her. I learned that the hard way.”
“Exactly,” Cassie agrees with a nod. “This is her life, and she deserves to have the control. I doubt either of you will ever understand how that feels, but take it from me, it’s the worst part of this whole thing.”
“Thanks, I’m starting to realize the mistakes I’ve already made. If I want her trust, then I have to give her mine too.”
“And the man has found the key to the woman’s heart.” Cassie grins at me.
Ghost nudges me with his elbow. “Let’s get you both settled into the cottage and we can meet up again tomorrow, unless there’s anything urgent. Another night won’t hurt before we start making some moves.”
Leaning down kissing his wife and son, Ghost heads towards the door, waiting for me.
“Thank you,” I say to Cassie. “I know you’re going to be such a huge support to Asha in a way I can’t. I hate that you have had to know hard times to understand, but I’m glad you have Ghost. In all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him so settled. You’re good for him.”
As I start to walk away, she calls to me. “Kurt, he’s good for me too. I was lost before I found him, and from what Asha tells me, you both were too. It might have come about in the worst possible way, but you are meant to be. Watching you, it’s as clear as day.”
Giving her a smile, I say, “I think so too.”
Cassie calls Bessy for a treat, and I scoop my girl into my arms, carrying her out to the car.
“I can walk, you know,” she murmurs, eyes still half closed.
“Yeah, but why not use me while you can?”
“That sounds dirty, but kind of appealing.” Her eyes open now as we approach Ghost holding the door open.
“Oh, it’s more than appealing, baby, it’s about to become reality… all… afternoon… long,” I whisper in her ear.
That giggle lights up my world.
I need to make sure she never loses that.
A short journey farther along the dirt track down the side of the main house, following behind Ghost in his truck, we come across this rustic log cabin tucked into the trees, almost hidden unless you knew you were looking for it. I can see the appeal for Ghost when he was trying to go to ground.
Climbing out of the car, Asha is already gushing over how cute it is, while I’m busy scoping out my surroundings.
Hearing her getting excited over the insides, I just take my time to walk around it. I want to know what my line of exit is if I can’t get her out the front door. I wish I didn’t have to do this, but I’m not leaving one thing to chance at the moment.
Once I’m happy with knowing what’s around me, walking inside, I see Ghost showing her where he has fully stocked the fridge and cupboards with food for us, so we don’t have to be in the main house if we don’t want to. I’m sure that’s so I’m not cramping his style with his wife, either.
“Kurt, look at all this, isn’t it amazing?” She looks like she’s about to burst with excitement at what she’s seeing.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it.” Ghost walks past me at the doorway. “That wood box has no wood in it, but instead has a false floor. It leads to an escape tunnel if you need it.”
“Of course it does. You thought of everything, didn’t you.”
He starts laughing at me. “What, you haven’t just spent the last five minutes working out your exit plan? Don’t give me that shit. I had plenty of months up here before Bessy was born to make sure my girls were going to be okay if something happened to me.”
“Fair enough,” I reply, knowing I’d do the same.
“Also, that present you wanted is in the cupboard in the bedroom. All set up and ready to go.”
I shoot him a look. “Oh, you kinky bastard, what have you left for me?” I can’t help but take advantage of the opportunity to tease him.
“You wish. I don’t share those things with
