49. Relic

Chapter forty-nine

Relic

I couldn't let go of Macie. I knew I needed to. I knew I needed to let her parents have a moment alone with her, but I couldn't. Seeing Brayden point that gun at her. Feeling like I couldn't reach her fast enough. Seeing her terrified expression…

I shook, head to toe. Macie hugged me tighter and buried her face into my chest. I kissed the top of her head again. I loved her and I could have lost her. This entire world was too fucked up.

"Son," Dad mumbled beside me. "Can I have a moment?"

Macie lifted her head and met my eyes. She had a million questions, and I wasn't sure I had any answers. I was as shell shocked and confused as she was, but I placed a hand on her cheek, caressed her soft skin, and all of me melted when she placed her hand over mine.

"Thank you," Macie whispered to me.

"For what?"

"Saving my life."

I didn't do anything. "You're the one who showed me I had a life worth living."

She gave me a sad lift of her lips. I kissed them and then pulled back. "Give me a moment with my dad."

Macie turned into the waiting arms of her parents. Police officers were everywhere, and I didn't know what to do or how to handle anything. I'd punched the shit out of Brayden. He sat on the ground in handcuffs while EMS checked him out. His nose was probably broken, his lip busted and swollen, but the bastard would be fine. Odds were his rich parents had already been called, and they had a fancy ass lawyer on retainer.

"The idiot's already talking," Dad said in a low voice to me. "You don't need to tell the police about Marsh's involvement or the other kid who was part of the carjacking. Brayden's already naming names and asking for deals."

"Eric's going to be a bear."

"More like a nuclear explosion." Dad tilted his head toward the tree in the front yard, away from the officers, indicating that was where he wanted to talk. I followed his wild eyes as they scanned the area. He twitched. Maybe high, maybe jumpy from the adrenaline rush, maybe it was the fact we were so close to so many in law enforcement. None of it mattered. He reached Macie before I did. He saved her life. "Thank you for saving Macie."

"You love her." Dad met my gaze for a moment. "I've never been much of a father to you. I don't know how to make up for that. I don't know if there is ever a way I can make up for that, but I knew I couldn't let her die. I didn't want you to feel the same way I did after your mom left. I didn't want you to be so young with so much damn hurt."

I didn't remember Mom. Didn't know if Dad had been much of a father before she bailed on us, but for the first time, I had empathy for him. I would have been crushed, broken beyond recognition if Macie had died. Was that how he felt after Mom left? Like he lost the love of his life?

Even still, that didn't excuse any of his choices or how he treated me, but now a part of me didn't hate him so damn much. I gestured toward the wound on his arm. EMS bandaged it, but then Dad denied care. "You should go to the hospital for that."

"I can't," he replied.

"If it's money," I began.

"I'm taking the fall for this one," Dad cut me off.

My mind went still as I tried to figure out his statement. "What?"

"I just interfered with Eric's business. He's forgiven a lot of shit for me, but I knew I was on shaky footing. Eric kept me alive to use me as a way to get to you. He wants you, son. In fact, he considers you his son. Of all the things I regret, allowing him near you is my biggest. Point is, I did this. Not you. I dragged you into it. Not the other way around."

"No. I would have forced Lyra to give me the keys, and I would have been here regardless."

Dad took my face in his hands and forced me to look him straight in the eyes. "I brought you here. You didn't know what was happening. I interfered, not you. That's what I just called and told Lyra to tell Eric. That's the story Eric will believe. I have to leave town now. You and I both know there's now a price on my head."

I hated my father. Hated him with every ounce of my being. So why did my eyes burn? Why did my windpipe feel like it was closing up on me?

"Take care of Camila," Dad said. "You're a better father to her than I have ever been."

"You don't need to go," I said, trying desperately to think of a way out of this. "Maybe we can spin the story."

"Eric's too big for you to run from," Dad continued, as if I hadn't said anything. "But he'll work with you. Stay away from the drugs. Take the opportunities with the stolen cars. There's still risk and danger, but you're smart enough to keep yourself alive. Don't trust anyone. Listen to your instincts. Squirrel all the money you can away so you can one day run from this life."

But there was no running. There was only dying.

Dad hugged me, both of his arms around me tight. "Stay smart. Stay alive." Before I could hug him back, he let me go and jogged across the street. He slipped between two houses, and I watched in shocked silence as he hopped the fence and disappeared from my life.

Back alleys and out of sight. My dad was the one who taught me that. He was the one who taught me how to stay alive. Stay smart. Stay alive. What could I do now? Regardless of how this all played out, Eric was still my battle, and I didn't want Macie anywhere near this war.

I watched as her family hugged her, watched as all those adults gathered round and gave her support. She'd be okay now. She'd be safe and protected, and all I could offer her was hurt.

For the first time, I understood Dad. At least understood why he left. He saw an opportunity to protect me even though his decision hurt him. Could I be strong enough to make the same choice for Macie?

My chest felt like it was being ripped in half as I pulled my phone out and gave her my raw truth: I love you. I'm glad you're safe. I can't stay. My time is up. Don't come looking for me. My world's no longer safe for you to be around. Do great things, Mazie Hutchinson. You deserve the universe. With one final look in her direction, I forced myself to walk away.