With my finger, I traced the names etched out along the mantle. People who I’d loved. People who were no long here to love me.
What had my life become in these five years?
Seasons passed and I stayed on this property, planting seeds in the spring, playing with my dogs in the summer, harvesting my garden in the fall, and painting in my home through harsh winters. Only to repeat the actions each year. Every now and then I went to the Titty Palace, sipped some tea, joked with the bartenders, and knocked a few guys around for Kevin.
That was all my life had become.
I was alive, but not truly living.
Present, but not enjoying the moment.
Surviving, but with no goals or dreams to exist for.
Perhaps, it’s a good thing that Ebony and her kids came. It’ll shake things up. Give me a goal of sorts. This Wyatt Day could be fun to track. It would be like the old days. Search and kill.
I thought of Ebony’s son.
Would he miss his father?
I turned and looked at my own father in the portrait of my parents. While I missed him the few times I looked at the image, I never thought about him. He’d hurt us too much to be remembered.
No. The boy won’t miss him, not with what that maniac did to his mother and sister. That’s why they were out on the roads tonight in the middle of a snowstorm. They were running.
Chapter 6
Confessions
Ebony
When I woke, it took me some time to realize where I was.
A minute later and I remembered all of yesterday’s events—Wyatt ruining our Christmas decorating, me stabbing and shooting him, us racing away, the snowstorm, the crash, and Yoshiro.
I let out a long breath and rose from bed. Warmth blanketed the room.
My kids continued to sleep. Usually, they got up around the time I did, but it had been a long day of tragedy and anxiety.
Get your rest, guys. I’m so sorry. Life will get better for us. I promise.
I just didn’t know how I would accomplish it.
I walked over to the window, hoping for less snow and clear roads. Perhaps, I could get AAP to answer the phone and tow my car to a repair shop. Yoshiro said he had a friend that could look at it too. Either way, we had to get out of here and find out new place to hide.
I went to the window and stared out. All hope left.
More snow had come. Even our footsteps from last night had been covered. None of the roads had been ploughed. More snow fell from the sky, telling me that the storm wouldn’t let up anytime soon.
What the hell am I going to do? We can’t just stay here forever.
The sun was barely out. Dark clouds hovered over, dotted in a haunting blue, signaling that more of the storm was brewing.
I ran my fingers through my dreadlocks and tip toed to the door. I took my time moving the dresser I’d barricaded in front of it. Thankfully, the kids remained asleep. The low noise hadn’t woke them up.
Out in the hallway, I listened for Yoshiro and the dogs.
Only silence moved through the house.
I scanned the area and counted three closed doors across from me. On our side, was my door, then Yoshiro’s, and what must’ve been another empty bedroom.
Six bedrooms? This is a huge house.
Not wanting to wake Yoshiro either, I crept past his room.
The door was open.
He’s already up.
I sneaked a glance. It was empty. The bed was made. Everything was just as neat as the rest of the house.
I continued forward, got to the stairs, and headed down.
I spotted Yoshiro standing in front of the stove. No shirt or shoes. Just pajama pants. Muscles lines his back, shoulders, and arms. A red and black dragon covered his entire left arm. It took me a minute to regain my breath.
Without turning around, he whispered, “Would you like some tea?”
How did he know I was here? Was I that loud?
I swallowed. “Yes. If it’s no problem.”
“It isn’t.” He raised his arm, opened the cabinet, and pulled out a large cup. The bicep flexed with the movements. I had no idea getting a cup could look so good.
I turned away, not needing to get lost in the show.
I had more things to think about.
I spied Salt and Pepa lounging by the fireplace in the living room. When I walked over to the table, their ears perked up, but they didn’t rise.
“Do you like Green tea?” Yoshiro glanced over his shoulder. “This is decaffeinated.”
“That’s fine.”
“Sugar or honey?”
“Honey.”
I sat down at the long dining table near the kitchen and tried to find something to do with my hands. Under the table, I twisted my fingers. Besides being with my kids, I’d lived alone for a long time. I wasn’t used to a shirtless man greeting me in the morning and making me tea. And when I was with Wyatt, he expected his breakfast the moment he rose.