by Adair Rymer
She let her gaze sink to the floor. “I had to agree to Wit Pro.”
And there it was.
“That's the other part of this visit. You're here to say goodbye.” The Federal Witness Protection Program was a new name, a new social security number, and a new identity. It was a new anonymous life courtesy of the United States government for those testifying against large networks of organized crime syndicates. It also meant a person and their family had to cut ties with everything and everyone they've ever known. I was one of those ties.
“I'm sorry,” Maya started to choke up a little but stayed strong.
The thought of losing Maya hurt a lot worse than any bullet wound. My body would mend but this...
“It's the right decision. You and Anna will be safe.” The words were acid in my mouth but I did mean them. The Blue Angels still had an enormous network and they needed protection. It being the right decision didn't make it any easier. “What about your career?”
“What career?” Maya shrugged still looking away. Wit Pro also gave you a new career, but it had to be different than what you were doing before, otherwise you'd be too easy to track down. “That doesn't bother me though. The reason I went into law in the first place was to bring down the Blue Angels. My testimony coupled with the RICO Act has a real chance of doing just that, I might be able to dismantle that whole club.”
“I'm happy for you, Maya.” I squeezed her hand. “I really am. This is everything you ever wanted.”
“Not everything.” Her pained expression darkened. She cleared her throat. It took her a minute to regain composure enough to continue. “What will you do now that you have your freedom?”
“I'll figure something out. I've always been pretty good with my hands.” I smiled at her mischievously. She glanced at me and smirked back.
“That is true.”
I shook my head. “All I've wanted since I got out was my freedom but at some point in our trip to Cali I realized that freedom wasn't enough.” I gently turned her chin to look at me. “These last few weeks without you have been hell.”
“Don't, please. I can't...” Her eyes were racked with so much pain. She turned away but I caught her chin again and gently led it back toward me.
“What I really wanted wasn't freedom, Maya. I wanted something to believe in. Someone to believe in. That person is you and I can't let anything take you from me again.”
“Hendrix, we don't have a choice. The Wit Pro...”
“Only takes family, I know.” I forced myself out of the bed again. The pain was excruciating. It brought me to my knees. Maya shot up to help me but I stopped her with an outstretched hand. Looking up at her concerned face, I did the craziest thing I'd ever considered. “Then let's be family.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I love you, Maya, I always will. Marry me.”
Her almond eyes were as big as saucers. She was stunned into silence.
“I-I can't hold this position very long. What do you say?”
“Yes!” She yelled it so loud that the guard opened the door to see if everything was alright. She apologized to him for the outburst and waved him off.
“I have one more question for you?” I asked
“What? Anything!”
“Can you help me up?”
She laughed and helped me back onto the bed. Her lawyer mode turned on and we spent a little while discussing timeframes and details but she assured me that we could do it. We joked and said that marriage would be the only way to see if the relationship could work out but I think deep down we knew that that didn't matter. We'd already survived so much together, it was hard to think of anything that could shake that foundation.
I was even looking forward to meeting her little sister Anna. Technically, Maya and I would be her legal guardians. That was pretty heavy, but I knew right away that it was a good decision. Probably the best one I'd ever made. I'd finally found what I was searching for. I think Maya did too.
“Where do you think we'll land when this is all over?” She hugged me, careful to avoid my wounds.
I brushed her hair back and kissed her forehead, the subtle scent of lilacs lingered in my nose. “It really doesn't matter.”
END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adair Rymer is a hard drinking woman with limitless violence in her heart and fingertips. Absurd and obscene life experiences have forged Adair's affinity for decadence and depravity and all the squishy wonderful bits floating in between.
She's been lost in the mountains of Peru, stoned in the green death of the Amazon jungle, set on fire in the Argentine sun and sliced up in the wastelands of Canada.
Adair loves her beautiful Kawasaki ninja and filthy, filthy sex. She's also keen on a hot cup of Coca Tea.
She's survived her life a thousand times but barely, and hopes to do so a thousand more.
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