“When is Reaper due back?” I asked.
“Tomorrow. He is taking care of loose ends.”
“Any word on Colin?” I whispered, needing something good. I wanted my son in my woman’s arms. Something told me that was going to be the only way to get her to open up to me.
I wanted both of them safe.
“Nothing yet, but I’ve got eyes on him. Wherever he goes, I will know about it.”
“Who?”
Phantom turned to me and grinned, “Who do you think?”
Shaking my head, I smiled, “You keep using him that way, one of these days, he’s going to tell you no.”
Phantom laughed, “I’d like to see him try. Besides, Gadget loves shit like this. It makes him feel important. Player?”
“Yeah.”
“Give her time. She’s been through so much already. Just be there for her. Even if she won’t admit it, she wants you there.”
“She won't even look at me, Phantom.”
“She knows you’re there. Trust me.”
The muted tone of her voice had me turning towards her. Looking at Phantom, I said nothing as I watched her slowly twirl her now empty beer bottle on the bar. After what felt like hours, she whispered, “It isn’t easy losing a child Player. We carry that life for nine months. There is a bond the instant we know. I can’t explain it. We wait patiently for the day a doctor puts them in our arms for nine months. When we are denied that moment, a part of us dies. We never really get that part of us back.” Slipping from the stool, Phantom stood and looked me directly in the eyes before adding, “Just be patient with her. Okay?”
Nodding, I said nothing as Phantom quietly walked towards the kitchen.
“Phantom?”
She slowly turned her head towards me.
“What happened?”
She said nothing as she turned to face me and lifted her shirt. There, on her stomach, were three different bullet holes. Looking at her, I said nothing more as she disappeared behind the door.
Last year, Phantom came to our club when I needed help locating the men who took Remi. She and I talked a lot online as we both had a common desire to stop human trafficking. She was the one who taught me a lot about the deep web and where to search. I would ask for her assistance when I got stuck, and she never denied me. Then one day, she just showed up and never left.
None of us really knew anything about her, and she never talked about anything personal. We all recently found out that Gadget was her actual brother. We were shocked but accepted it because the young man always followed her wherever she went.
And though I knew she would kick my ass sideways if I did, I wanted to give her a hug. I wanted to give her my support and love. Just hearing that she went through something like my Catarina broke my heart. Phantom may be a tough Golden Skull, but she was still a woman, our sister. My sister.
I knew her admission wasn’t given lightly, and for that, I felt closer to her. More protective of her. Oh, I knew Phantom could hold her own in any situation, but that didn’t mean she had to do it alone.
Finishing my beer, I headed back upstairs to our bedroom to find Catarina asleep. Carefully closing the door, I walked over to the side of the bed, removed my boots, and climbed in behind her. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her snug against my body.
I just wanted to hold her.
To be close to her.
Even if I could only do it while she was sleeping.
I didn’t care.
She was my woman, and I would do anything for her.
Laying there with her in my arms, I listened to the soft sound of her breathing as she slumbered and did the only thing I could think of.