The situation was over.
But Alvin couldn’t shake the heaviness in his chest.
Too many people had died.
Most of them had earned that fate.
Gangsters settling scores with gangsters was nothing new.
Still…
There might have been cooks.
Housekeepers.
Gardeners.
People who’d simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He wasn’t about to pick a fight with Kingpin over it.
This was mob business.
Anyone arrogant enough to challenge Kingpin while calling himself Bloody Jason had practically scheduled his own funeral.
The real problem was JJ.
Judging from the man’s expression, he had already decided Alvin was responsible.
That wouldn’t do.
If Alvin was going to carry the blame for wiping out one of New York’s biggest drug operations, then Kingpin, who happened to sit on the school’s board of donors, could at least pay for the privilege.
Alvin looked at JJ.
“Call Kingpin.” “When he answers, repeat exactly what I told Black Bear today.” “And tell him this.” “The school’s annual donation just doubled.” “He’ll know why.” JJ nodded.
Alvin pushed open the restaurant door.
It had been a long day.
For the first time in a while, he actually felt tired.
He settled onto a barstool and shared a drink with whoever happened to be nearby, whether he knew them or not.
He was just about to announce the evening’s second piece of good news.
Nick had found his father.
Before he could speak, the small door behind the bar slammed open.
Nick came hopping in on one foot.
“Alvin!” “You’ve got to come!” “Dad passed out doing math!” Alvin sprayed an entire mouthful of liquor directly onto JJ.
JJ stared at him innocently.
Alvin met his gaze.
That one was absolutely intentional.
He clapped his hands.
“Happy hour’s over.” “JJ, get everyone home.” “If anyone lives too far away, make sure they get a ride.” Then he followed Nick upstairs.
The attic apartment was surprisingly spacious, nearly six hundred square feet.
Nick’s bed sat beside the window.
Frank lay sprawled across it, his face tinged purple, breathing hard.
By the time Alvin entered, Frank had regained consciousness.
The instant he saw Alvin…
He quietly turned his face toward the wall.
Alvin relaxed.
If Frank could move, he wasn’t in any real danger.
Otherwise today’s celebration would’ve turned into a funeral.
His injuries had been severe to begin with.
He’d also lost a lot of blood.
Add in the alcohol…
No wonder he’d collapsed.
Under normal circumstances, a man like Frank Castle would rather throw himself out the window than admit he’d been defeated by a second grader’s homework.
Alvin ruffled Nick’s hair.
“Go hang out with Jessica for a while.” “Ginny’s with her.” “And bring me the weapon that knocked Frank unconscious.” He smiled.
“The man’s a UCLA graduate.” “It’s probably his injuries that made him faint.” “I’ll patch him up.” Frank immediately began coughing in embarrassment.
Alvin ushered Nick out and closed the door.
Then he turned back toward Frank with an amused smile.
This is nothing.
Back in my previous life, I couldn’t solve my own son’s homework either.
His teacher even called me out during a parent meeting.
I survived.
You pass out over second-grade math and you’re embarrassed?
Frank forced himself upright.
He looked like he wanted to explain himself.
Alvin raised a hand.
“Don’t.” “Our school isn’t like most schools.” “The kids learn differently.” “So if parents can’t help with the homework…” “Don’t worry about it.” He shrugged.
“You’re only a UCLA graduate.” “I’ve seen Harvard-educated teachers here who couldn’t solve these problems either.” “So don’t feel inferior.” Frank immediately protested.
“I don’t feel inferior…” He launched into a passionate defense of his dignity.
Alvin ignored every word.
Instead, he motioned toward the open window.
A thick poisonous vine quietly slithered inside.
Without warning, it sprayed a cloud of green mist directly into Frank’s face.
Frank instantly lost consciousness.
A second vine, crimson in color, emerged behind it.
Dozens of tiny tendrils pierced Frank’s skin.
Warm red energy flowed into his body, repairing damaged muscles, sealing wounds, and replenishing what he’d lost.
Alvin stopped before too much energy transferred.
Frank’s complexion had already improved considerably.
That was enough.
He dismissed the carnivorous vines with a wave.
Then he grabbed Frank by one boot.
The footwear hit the floor with a dull thud.
“My son’s bed,” Alvin muttered.
“You couldn’t even take your boots off?” “What a slob.” Satisfied, he left Frank to rest.
The moment Alvin entered his own room…
Laughter exploded around him.
Nick and Ginny were playing so wildly that the entire room shook.
Jessica sat in the corner clutching her head, looking as though she’d already accepted death.
“I can’t take another minute of this…” Nick suddenly shouted, “Watch my Heavenly Cripple Kick!” He launched himself into the air on one leg, kicked dramatically at nothing, and crashed face-first onto Alvin’s bed.
The mattress bounced.
Tiny Ginny flew several inches into the air, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
The instant she spotted Alvin, she scrambled across the mattress, took a running start, and leaped into his arms.
“Heehee…” “Nick’s awesome!” “Cripple Kick!” “So cool!” Alvin caught her effortlessly with one arm.
Then he shot Nick a glare.
Being a little menace really was contagious.
Look at my sweet Ginny.
She’s been around Nick for a few hours and now she’s launching herself through the air from six feet away.
What if she’d fallen?
That little troublemaker is corrupting my daughter.
Resting his forehead against hers, Alvin smiled gently.
“My little princess is a lady.” “We don’t copy little troublemakers.” “What you just did was dangerous.” Ginny cupped his cheeks with both tiny hands.
“Mwah!” She planted a kiss on his face.
“Daddy’s amazing!” “Ginny loves Daddy!” That settled it.
His daughter was still perfect.
A little mischief was acceptable.
Laughing, Alvin threw himself backward onto the bed while holding Ginny securely.
The mattress bounced violently.
Nick was launched clear off the bed and landed flat on his backside.
The boy barely noticed.
He jumped up laughing and charged back into battle.
Holding Ginny safely in his arms, Alvin twisted and rolled across the mattress while dodging Nick’s revenge.
Ginny’s laughter filled the room.
Eventually Nick wore himself out.
The three of them sat together on the bed.
Jessica had quietly escaped long ago.
For once, Nick grew serious.
He lay back with his hands behind his head.
“Alvin…” “My dad found me.” His voice was hesitant.
“…Does that mean I have to leave?” There was worry.
Uncertainty.
Reluctance.
Ginny immediately crawled against Alvin’s chest.
Her little face fell.
“Nick…” “Don’t go.” “Ginny likes Nick.” “Stay.” Alvin kissed the top of her head before looking toward Nick.
Nick didn’t receive nearly the same treatment.
Instead, Alvin reached over and thoroughly messed up his hair.
“Leave?” “Where exactly are you going?” “Your old man’s a broke working stiff.” “What’s he going to do?” “Tomorrow we’ll rent the apartment next door.” “Frank can live there.” “And while we’re at it, JJ’s moving too.” “That idiot’s turned my storage room into something nobody can even walk into anymore.” Nick’s eyes lit up.
He wouldn’t have to leave.
His father could stay nearby.
The relief on his face was impossible to miss.
“Thank you.” “Really.” “Thank you, Alvin.” Alvin grimaced dramatically.
“Don’t look at me with those puppy eyes.” “It’s disgusting.” “Now get moving.” “Go take care of your dad.” “He’s still recovering.” “I’ve healed most of the damage, but someone should stay with him.” Nick sprang off the bed.
Just before disappearing through the door, he turned around and stuck out his tongue.
“Alvin!” “My dad’s way tougher than you.” “You’ve got some catching up to do!” Alvin made a show of getting up to chase him.
Nick burst into laughter and disappeared toward the attic.
The room suddenly became quiet.
Alvin looked down at the little girl curled against his chest.
“Ginny.” “Should I take you back to your room?” She shook her head.
Her eyes remained fixed on the doorway where Nick had disappeared.
“Ginny…” “Stay with Daddy.” “I don’t want to sleep.” “When I sleep…” “I have nightmares.” The words struck Alvin harder than any punch.
His chest tightened.
He hugged her a little closer and kissed her forehead.
“It’s okay.” “Daddy’s here.” “Daddy’s strong.” “He’ll chase all the bad dreams away.” Ginny wrapped both arms around his neck.
Safe.
Warm.
Protected.
As Alvin gently rocked her, he began humming a quiet lullaby.
“The dark night stretches across the sky…
The warm little stars shine side by side…
Little fireflies, little fireflies…
Who is it that you miss tonight?” Before the song was finished…
Ginny had fallen asleep.