Protected like a sister.
Loved like a sister.
“Are you okay?” Grace asked beside me.
I reached out and grabbed her hand. She was my lifeline. I glanced at her stomach. It was still flat; we still didn’t know if the baby was mine, but it didn’t matter to me because the baby was a part of her.
“I have a sister.”
Grace chuckled. “You have a lot of family you didn’t know about.”
I leaned my head back against the seat. “Three brothers and now a sister,” I said softly.
“What’s she like?”
I laughed. “She’s loud, opinionated, full of sass and absolutely beautiful,” I said, then looked at her. “She’s just like you.”
“Asshole,” she muttered without heat and stared out the window at the house. “Think she’ll like me?”
“She’ll love you.”
“When she learns what I did...”
“Don’t start that shit again, Grace.” She looked down at her lap. “I mean it. Morgan has been through a lot. She’s going through a lot now. There is no reason to bring up our past.”
“But—”
“But nothing, Grace. You need to let it go.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, let’s go meet your sister.”
I climbed out of the SUV. I would have preferred to bring my bike, but with the long drive and Grace being pregnant, the SUV made more sense. And allowed me to drive faster.
I opened her door and helped her out. The front door opened, and there she was.
My sister.
Jude’s wife.
I was going to kill the motherfucker for hurting her.
I opened my arms, and she flew down the steps and crashed into me.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
I held her tight, not wanting to let go. If only I’d known then, I would have kept her with me. Would have taken better care of her.
“Morgan, this is Grace.”
Morgan smiled up at me. “Thought you were never taking on an old lady?”
“I didn’t really give him much choice,” Grace said. “I wore him down.” She held out her hand and said, “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” Morgan shook Grace’s hand but then switched to the other one and pulled her along as she said, “Come inside. Are you two alone?”
“Romeo and Mimic are at the Lodge with Indie, Mimic’s old lady, and Grace’s father, Popeye.”
“Why didn’t you bring them?”