“Robert Farrow, twenty-nine. Just released from the Santa Fe super-max after serving just over six years for drug charges.”
“Super-max for drugs?” Dominic interrupts.
“Had some seriously violent behaviors in jail and prior offenses,” Shadow explains.
It proves my initial reactions to her showing up crying last night as being on point, even though she was here to tell me goodbye not because he hurt her.
“He had some trouble once he got there, but then he seemed to have gotten his shit together. Worked as a machinist at the prison. No write-ups in five years. Monthly visits from Lucy and Harley Farrow,” Shadow continues.
“That’s their son,” I add.
“Former drug addict,” Shadow says as he lifts his eyes to mine. “Is he clean now?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I’d like to say yes. I don’t think Lucy would let him around Harley if he were using. She seems to think he’s a different guy than he was before he went down the last time.”
“What do you need from us?” Kincaid asks.
“He needs work. Can you find him something?”
“He can’t work for Cerberus, Snake. He’s not even allowed on the property, changed man or not,” Dominic says.
“I know,” I say, looking up at him. “I know. From what I gather, he’ll do anything.”
“It won’t be in Farmington,” Kincaid adds. “Is she going to follow him?”
I nod. “She will.”
“Out of state?”
I nod again. “Yeah, man. She’s not going to keep Harley away from his dad. He doesn’t fucking deserve her, man. She’s one of the good ones.”
“Sounds like it,” Shadow says as his fingers continue to work.
“You’re sure this is what you want?” Kincaid asks.
“I need him to be able to take care of his family. She’s struggled long enough. I don’t want him bouncing from place to place, and them trailing along after him. They need stability.” My throat feels like it’s going to close up on me.
Kincaid nods, as Dominic steps closer.
I stand before he can reach me.
I swear to God if he clamps a hand on my shoulder, I’ll lose my shit. I’m barely holding it together right now as it is.
“I’ll see what I can find for them,” Shadow says. “I’ll let you know.”
“You’re a good man, Micah Cobreski,” Kincaid says.
I give them a quick nod before I leave the room and disappear down the hall. I have nothing in my stomach, but that doesn’t keep me from bending over the toilet and heaving the second I get back to my room.
I think I just made the biggest mistake of my life.
Chapter 17
Lucy
My coffee has gone cold, but I’m still holding the cup in my hands, pretending that I’m drinking it. I’m hiding from my son because being in the same room with him means that he may ask questions. I hate myself for it. Normally, I’d be right there with him, giggling when one of the animated characters on the movie he’s watching does or says something silly. I’m losing time with him because I can’t get things right in my head.
The three days since I walked out of the Cerberus clubhouse have been miserable. I’ve spent them wondering if I’ve done the right thing, spent them telling myself that texting or calling him to come over is the worst idea in the world. If it weren’t still Christmas break, I know I would’ve caved by now. My body aches to be close to him. My heart breaks a little more knowing he’s right across town, and I’m the one putting the distance between the two of us.
He said he wanted both of us, not just me. He included Harley in that as well. He’s nothing like any of the men I’ve met before.
“You’re sad.”
I look up at Harley, hating the frown on his young face as I lift my cup of coffee to my lips.
The cold liquid is bitter on my tongue, but I do my best to hide my distaste.
“We need to talk,” I tell him, deciding right in this moment that I can no longer keep everything from him.
He can’t be a part of the adult decisions I have to make, but I can at least keep him informed.
“Is this about Micah?” he asks as he pulls out the other chair at the small dining table.
“Some of it.”
“He hasn’t been around much.”
“I’m not seeing Micah anymore.”
“Did you guys have a fight?”
“We didn’t, but some things are going to change, and it just isn’t going to work out between us.”
“I liked him.” Harley hangs his head, pouting only the way a six-year-old can.
I hate seeing him sad, and it makes me regret bringing a man into his life only to have Micah leave so quickly. I wasn’t thinking this would be the outcome. I make a mental note to do better next time, but the thought of there even being a next time makes my stomach turn.