“Yup, that was my dad,” she says softly.
Well, damn. Funny how she ended up with Wrath. I let out a sad laugh. “Bishop was an ornery bugger.”
“Look who’s talking,” Wrath mutters.
“But he was a good man,” I say to Trinity, ignoring Wrath. “Didn’t deserve what happened to him.”
“Thank you,” Trinity whispers.
It’s unnerving having Wrath be so quiet while Trinity and I keep talking. “You all right, big guy?”
“Yup.” He slows his steps and pats my back. A fancy log cabin appears to our right.
“This it?” I ask.
“Nope, that’s Rock and Hope’s place.” Wrath chuckles. “You know how anti-social I am. Needed to be far, far away from everyone else.”
“Poor Murphy,” Trinity laughs. “Wrath made him move his building site twice.”
“Murphy’s got a home here too?”
Wrath snakes his arm out in front of him. “This path loops around. Z’s in the middle of construction right now.”
“Teller has his ranch down the hill,” Trinity says. “Rooster bought a place between here and Downstate. Bricks is still at Rock’s old house.”
“Everyone else pretty much lives at the clubhouse.” Wrath jerks his thumb over his shoulder.
We turn off the wide path to a narrower one, still lit by bright lights low to the ground. “This Ramsey Lane?” I ask.
“This is it.”
“Jesus,” I breathe out.
“Big guy needs a big home.” Wrath grins as he lopes up to the front door.
“Can’t argue with that logic.”
Inside is a wide-open floorplan—nothing to make a man feel caged in.
I’m too tired to take in much more. Wrath jogs up the stairs while Trinity shows me to the spare bedroom, the bathroom, and where to find a few things in the kitchen. Wrath returns as we’re heading toward the enclosed porch.
Porch doesn’t quite describe it. It’s more like another living room, with walls of glass. Trinity touches a control panel on the wall and there’s a gentle whirring sound. I peer up at eight wide skylights with shades retracting. The night sky is visible beyond the glass. “Heat’s here, too, if you want to turn it up or down.”
“Doubt I’ll need to mess with it.”
“We eat breakfast out here a lot,” Trinity says, nodding to the table for two. There’s a couch and a couple of chairs, although I can’t picture Wrath ever sitting still long enough to enjoy them.
“Here, brother.” Wrath holds out a stack of clothing. “This should hold you until we can get a little shopping done.”
Shit, how’d I forget I don’t have any clothes other than the ones on my back? “Thanks.”
Together, they set up a cot big enough for two. Certainly nicer than the thin, rock-hard piece of junk New York State Corrections considered a mattress. Trinity stacks a pile of soft, downy blankets on the foot of the bed. A crisp, clean scent unfurls from the bedding. Freedom smells so good everywhere I turn.
I glance at the kitchen. “You sure I won’t be in your way?”
“Not at all.” Wrath slips his arm around Trinity’s shoulders. “I’m beat. We’re headed upstairs.”
“We’ll try not to wake you in the morning,” Trinity says.
“I’m sure I’ll be up with the sun. They keep you on a tight schedule inside.”
After they leave, I pad down the hallway to the bathroom, feeling like an intruder the whole way.
For a guest bathroom, it’s fancy. A large, stone walk-in shower with water shooting from several directions. No one barks the time or yells at me to hurry up. I spend so long enjoying the steady stream of warm water, I almost fall asleep under the spray.
Trinity’s left out a toothbrush and every sort of toiletry I might possibly need, along with several fluffy towels on the counter.
Once I’m finally nestled under the covers out on the porch, I finally peer up at the sky. Darkness surrounds the house, providing me with a clear view through the panels of glass. Dark blue velvet sky. Soft white moonlight peeking out from the clouds. Twinkling spots of light.
So many stars.
I’ve longed for this exact moment for years. Some days, I never thought it would come. Thought I’d die behind those cinder block walls and never know freedom again.
I stroke the empty space next to me. Where Rose would’ve been. Loneliness settles over me like a scratchy blanket.
As soon as I get myself sorted, I need to see her. If she’s truly moved on, let her say it to my face. I deserve that much.
Tucking one hand behind my head, I stare up at the sky until my eyelids start to droop.
The rest of my life might be in shambles, but at least I finally have peace.
Chapter Four
Grinder
“Teeooo, teeeooo, whoit whoit whoit.”
Songbirds. Rich, flutelike little voices carrying through the crisp, morning air.
Followed by silence.
Pure, unadulterated silence.
No screaming, yelling, rattling of keys, or clinking of metal. No dragging of chains against the concrete floors. No guards shouting.
I blink open my eyes and stare at the unfamiliar ceiling.