“You know for sure he’s still in BC?”
“Yes. He was yesterday. Margie said he was at the bar.”
“Okay. My mom is staying with my brother for a while. You can go to work with me, and we have lots of volunteers to look after Theo when he’s not with us at the garage. You won’t be alone for a moment.”
I knelt before her. “And no more running. Your totes are not needed.”
“You know about my totes?”
“Brett saw them. He told me.”
She gripped my wrist. “I didn’t want to. I was dreading it. Leaving. Running like a thief in the night. Stealing the SUV that Maxx gave me. I planned on sending him money to pay for it a little at a time, but I was still stealing it. But I couldn’t get away without it,” she babbled. “I’d hoped he would understand. I didn’t know how I was going to live without everyone. Charly and Maxx. Mrs. Scott. Mary.” Her eyes filled with tears. “You. The thought of leaving you killed me, Stefano. But I had to put you and Theo above that. The two of you were more important. I would keep him safe, and you would have everyone else to help you.”
I pressed my forehead to hers. “Your thinking is fucked up, Tesoro. I need you above everyone else. And Theo. I love you both. Everyone else falls to a distant second. And just so we are clear? You aren’t going anywhere. Ever. You’re staying here with me. We’re going to face this together, so stop thinking of yourself as alone. You’re not.”
She flung her arms around my neck, holding me tight. I buried my face into her neck, the faint scent of smoke still clinging to her. Reminding me of how close I’d come to losing her for good. I held her firm in my embrace, waiting until I felt her relax and calm before releasing her.
“You up to going to see Maxx and Charly? We have a plan, but we need you on board.”
Despite the tremor that went through her, she nodded. “Yes.”
“Okay.”
She frowned. “I should change, but my clothes—”
I interrupted her. “I’ll take you to your place. You can change there.”
“Okay.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Gabby
Stefano didn’t say a word as we climbed the steps to my apartment. He glanced around, his lips tightening at the sight of the totes I had packed and the emptiness of the rooms. Two were Theo’s toys. Another two of his clothes. One for mine. The other was filled with the things I couldn’t bear to leave behind, and the last one, I’d planned to fill with the food I could take with me. The rest I would drop at the shelter in town for those who could use it. Six totes were all I could fit in the SUV. I had measured. The sight of the totes had also caused Theo anxiety. Although I’d told him I was just organizing the place, I was sure he didn’t believe me. This had happened too many times, and because we’d stayed here so long, I had more to sort. More to leave behind. It had been breaking my heart.
“I, ah, will go and change,” I muttered.
“Take your time.” Stefano lifted two totes.
“What are you doing?”
He ignored me, disappearing through the door and heading downstairs. I recognized his stubborn look and, with a sigh, headed to the bathroom. I had a fast shower, washing my hair again to get rid of the fire smell. I didn’t want to upset Theo even more than he would be already.
When I walked into the living room, all the totes were gone, and somehow, I wasn’t surprised to find them piled in the truck bed when I got outside
I sensed Stefano’s anger, and I held my tongue. Still, he reached for my hand, drawing soothing circles on the back of it as we headed to the garage.
When we arrived, Theo burst from the open garage door, flinging his arms around me. I fell to my knees as he approached and caught him, hugging him hard. I had worried needlessly, as he was not upset in the least. He was full of news of the garage, helping Brett, riding on Maxx’s big shoulders, having fun, and feeling Charly’s tummy move. I had to tamp down the swell of emotion as I listened to him. These wonderful people had taken care of my son so well, he had no idea anything was wrong.
He smiled up at me. “Brett says you’re a hero!” Then he frowned. “But he says you got a boo-boo being one.” He touched the bandage on my head. “Does it hurt?”
“If you kiss it better for me, it will go away,” I assured him.
I lowered my head, and he touched his mouth to the bandage, holding my face in his little hands with a gentle touch that made the tears threaten all over again. I hadn’t cried this much in years, and now it felt as if I couldn’t stop.