by Cam Johns
“You have what you’ve always wanted, Gabe. Don’t mess it up,” Mattie says, patting me on the shoulder. “Leave the past where it belongs, including what just happened.” He glances at my bruised knuckles.
I hold my hands up, examining them as I try and reconcile how badly I let my anger get the best of me. A man was tortured and killed because of me. I could have just left it alone, but I didn’t want him anywhere near my parents. I wouldn’t be around to help them should he do some shit to them. What if once he found out I was still alive, he told Santini my location. He would kill all of us. Made guys have no boundaries, except against other made wise guys. Which is why my father is still alive now. I did the right thing, just went about it wrong.
“Go to your family,” Matteo says, holding out his hand for me to shake.
“I hope one day I’ll see you again,” I say, shaking his head.
“You will. I’ll be knocking on your door again.” He laughs and pops the trunk for me to take my suitcase and money.
“Daddy!” I hear Jackson’s voice and feet running at me as I turn to walk up the walkway to my front door.
I drop the bags on the ground and bend down to catch him in my arms. “My son, I’ve missed you.”
Jonathan and Lynn are standing at the door with smiles as they watch how connected Jackson has become with me. Something that took many conversations. I release him, holding him at arm’s length.
“Are you home for good?” Jackson asks.
I stare in his eyes, and just as my mother said, I see myself looking back at me. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. But he is definitely a part of me. My blood. But he could never know. Never. “I’ll never leave you again.”
He smiles. “C’mon, I’m hungry. Mom made dinner.” He runs in the house, and I pick up my things. As I walk up to the door, I pull out the picture in my back pocket.
“Welcome back, Dad.” Jonathan hugs me tighter than he’s ever held onto me.
“You took care of the family as you promised?” I say, looking at Lynn, but talking to Jonathan.
He looks up at me. “Yes.” He smiles, and then joins Jackson in the kitchen.
Lynn stares at me, touching my face, running her finger down my cheek. Then she runs her hands down my chest and arms. Once she reaches my hands, she pulls them up to her face, as if she’s about to kiss them, ignoring the fact that there’s a photo in my hand. Her face furrows, noticing I’ve been using my hands in a more violent way than she’s used to. She kisses the knuckles on both hands, and then puts my arms around her neck, before laying her head on my chest.
“Still beating,” she says.
“It is, as promised. I have something for you.” I back away from her and hand her the photo. “We have a lot to discuss.”
She looks at the photo in awe, and immediately, knows it’s Jackson. My brother. My son.
We enter our home and close the door on the past. Releasing all tensions that have clouded my heart and this family for many years. That part of our lives is over. Now, it’s time for a future together.
One I hope will be full of love with no bounds.
Read the Next Book In the Series:
Three More Shots
Check out the series:
Escaping The Mafia
Escaping the Mafia
▁ ▄ ▅ ▆ EᔕᑕᗩᑭIᑎG TᕼE ᗰᗩᖴIᗩ ▆ ▅ ▄ ▁
She’s Willing to Start a War For Love.
Escaping the Mafia is not simple, especially when Isabella's father is known to chase enemies across state lines and obliterate them, so she has to be careful—and smart.
This Mafia princess comes up with a deadly plan. One million dollars to any organized crime syndicate who will help her with her six steps to freedom. The smell of easy money brings different crime syndicates to her side, and with their help, she destroys her own family. Nothing like a little revenge on the open road to happiness.
Each book is written by a different author and revolves around one of the deadly steps.
One, distract. Evelyn Kiss
Two, liberate. Cam Johns
Three, eliminate. Nikki Belaire
Four, escort. Sophia Peony
Five, war. S.G. Zertuche
Six, love. Sonya Jesus
Also by Cam Johns
Robert Turner is a spinoff character from the Arousing Series … so is Jackson!
Book Links: The Arousing Series
1. Arousing Consequences - My Book
2. Arousing Secrets - My Book
3. Arousing Inferno - My Book
About Cam Johns
Cam Johns began her career as a published author in 2016 with the release of her first book – Arousing Consequences – to the three-part series, The Arousing Series. However, actually publishing wasn’t part of her plan. After her husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she found that writing became a great way to relieve the tension and mounted pressures that come with watching someone she loves suffer from such a harsh diagnosis. It was her husband that pushed her to share her voice, regardless of how erotic that voice would become.
Live. Love. Laugh.
A well-known mantra that has become my way of living. Live, by accepting the things you cannot change. Love, the ones closest to you as if there’s no tomorrow. Laugh, each day because sadness will get you nowhere!
Social Links:
Instagram – www.instagram.com/authorcamj
Twitter – www.twitter.com/authorcamj
Website – www.thecamjohns.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/authorcamjohns
Facebook Group – www.facebook.com/groups/CamSquad
Newsletter - http://eepurl.com/dsiCRT
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15723170.Cam_Johns
