CHAPTER31
Some might thinkthat his comment, “I need you,” would be followed by, “I want you,” or some kisses or something along those lines, but he just kisses my cheek and stands.
“You look exhausted. Get some sleep, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
“Try?” he lifts his eyebrows. “Haven’t you been sleeping well?”
“Not exactly. Some nights are better than others, but with that gun in the room…”
“You aren’t comfortable with guns.”
“Oh, my father used to take me to the shooting range all the time, but he never bought me a gun. He promised me a motorcycle, but I didn’t want one. They scared me, but… that’s changing. A lot is changing.”
“I heard that you’re going to get yourself a bike.”
“That’s right.”
“Sorry. I keep talking, and you’re supposed to be going to bed and getting some rest. The gun is there for protection. Don’t let it bother you.” He rubs my cheek and walks over to the door but then turns back to face me. “I take it it’s been some time since you were last at a shooting range.”
“You would be right.”
“If you want, I’ll take you some time.”
“I would really appreciate that.”
“Give me a text and let me know when you’re free.”
“Not tomorrow. I have to work. The day after, two or three would work.”
“Three it is. I’ll swing by here to get you.”
“Sounds good.”
He turns back to the door.
“Rob?”
He spins right back around. “Yes?”
“Thanks for dropping by.”
He chuckles. “No thanks for the gun?”
I hesitate.
“I get it. You don’t want to have a need for it.”
“Exactly, but I can’t deny that I do need it. Thank you for looking out for me.”
“It’s the least I can do after all the grief I put you through. I’m not going to just say I’m sorry. I’m going to prove it to you with my actions. Your father isn’t going to come close to you again, and if it comes down to it, if there’s no choice, I’ll do it. I’ll pull the trigger to protect you and your mom.”
“It won’t come to that.”
He just gives me a look, and I nod, and he leaves.
I don’t want Rob to have to kill my father. I don’t want my father dead, although if I’m right and he did kill these people or had them killed, maybe the world would be better off if my father was buried six feet under. But let his war take him. I don’t want any of my friends or the guys involved.