Manny takes another swig of beer as I let that information sink in.
“Jeb didn’t take their shit. He was out on a ride with his wife, who was one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met, constantly going to bat for Cain when he and his dad would get into it. Those evil bastards shot and killed the both of them. From what we all heard, there wasn’t much left of the bodies by the time they were discovered. And before you ask how we know it was them, those fuckers carve a big ‘S’ into their victims’ foreheads afterwards. Somehow they found out about you, Calla. They’ve been threatening Cain with you for several years now and that’s why he’s left you alone. Why he didn’t come after you before that shit went down, well, that’s on him.”
His words slice me and I feel sick. I wobble on my feet, anxiety curling around my stomach. Invisible hands scuttle up my throat, clawing dreadfully to asphyxiate me. Manny grabs me by the arm and leads me to a picnic table where he helps me sit down.
“You need a drink?”
I shake my head slowly.
“No. I think I need to be clear-headed for this. I just… I can’t breathe. Is this like a war? Gangs fighting gangs?”
My heart races. For God’s sake, I have had these ruthless criminals looking for me for all these years and Cain has been protecting me? I don’t know what the hell to think anymore.
“No. The Savages have a lot of enemies. For years they have thought they ruled the streets of Detroit, but they’ve been falling apart for a while, now. There’s a few of them left out there. The few that want to taunt Cain with you. The main one seems to have vanished. He’s out there somewhere.”
So a man who is not above killing to get what he wants is on the loose, and no one can find him. The back of my neck itches as if a target were painted on it. I need to know more.
“Who is this man? What’s his name?”
“His name is Kryder, and he’s a remorseless son of a bitch.” A grim look crosses his face. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now. Cain will kick my fucking ass if he finds out I’ve told you any of this. He’s lost in his own head right now after seeing you today.”
I sneer at his comment.
“He’s lost? I doubt it. He’s been harsh, rude, and inconsiderate since I’ve gotten here.”
“I know, but trust me. Your safety has been his top priority for years.”
I crane my head to look up at him.
“It’s been you, hasn’t it? You’ve been watching me this whole time, haven’t you?”
He simply nods.
“You dirty liar. Not two minutes ago, you just said long time no see. It may have been a long time since I’ve seen you last, but you’ve been stalking me this whole time.”
“You didn’t even know I was watching you. Don’t get your panties all bunched up, woman. I didn’t stalk. I protected.”
Both of us laugh. Now I know why Cain knows so much about me. I’m grateful for whatever reason he felt he needed to have me protected.
“Exactly how long have you been watching me?” I ask.
“I’ve been living in Canada for the past few years. Cain didn’t trust anyone else with your safety, and neither did I. Although today you threw me for a loop when you hopped in your car and drove here.”
“Yeah, well. I had been thinking about it for a while now. Today seemed like the day, so I just took off. If I had known all of this was going on, I would have just given you the papers myself, or let them be delivered by a process server and left it up to him whether to respond or not,” I say righteously. “Either way, the Canadian courts would have granted me a divorce.”
Manny’s no fool. He knows damn well I could have had someone else deliver these papers instead of coming here in person. Why didn’t I?
He shrugs.
“It’s your life, Calla. Never really put much thought into watching you go into the courthouse. You’re in and out of there all the time, with law school and all. Do your parents know? About the divorce, I mean.”