I look down at the tiny drive between my fingers, feeling floored and oddly touched on Ezra’s and Jackie’s behalf. I swallow, nodding. “You know, I’ve found things too,” I inform him.

“That doesn’t surprise me,” he chuffs with a laugh.

“Things that will mean some rough times for your father,” I go on. “He isn’t innocent, Eli. I intend to make sure everyone knows that. Are you okay with that?”

Eli looks away from me, shoving his hands in his pockets and pursing his lips. “You know, I’ve learned a lot about family in the last few days. I’ve learned that the loyalty we give because of blood isn’t always deserved. It’s something I wish I’d learned a lot sooner, but all I can do is try to make up for it now.” He nods solemnly, turning back to me. “So yes, I’m okay with it. I can’t sit idly by anymore while people suffer. And if you can…tell my mother…” His eyes shine, and the emotion there makes him look more human. Maybe more than he’s ever looked. “Tell her I’m sorry that I ever did.”

I tuck the drive into my pocket. “I think she’d rather hear it from you.”

“Right,” he says thickly. “Hopefully she will someday. When I deserve to tell her.”

I nod, not knowing what else to say. Everything about today has been an emotional roller coaster. Eli returns my nod, clearing his throat and holding out his hand. I eye it for a second before tentatively reaching to clasp it in a slow shake.

“Congratulations on your win, Ms. Pierce,” he says.

I grin, feeling the full weight of my victory. “Thank you, Mr. Hart.”

He lets go of my hand to leave me standing there, and it takes several seconds for me to remember how to use my feet, still slightly stunned by the conversation we just had. I don’t believe I will actually need the drive in my pocket to take down Alexander—but the fact that Eli would give it…I know it will mean the world to their mother. I intend to make sure she hears all about it, if I can.

Which reminds me…I have somewhere to be.

OceanofPDF.com

Thirty-One

“Mom, I can take you,” I try for the third time.

She waves me off. “I miss Rita. She’s fine to take me to the doctor, Ezra. Don’t hover.”

“Of course I’m going to hover,” I grumble.

“Don’t I know it,” she laughs. “You’ve been doing it for days.”

I narrow my eyes, but she just laughs again, closing the distance between us and patting my cheek. “I love you, darling, but you need to get out of this apartment. I’ll be fine.”

I believe it, to a degree. It’s only been a few days that my mother has been staying with me, but in just that short time she’s been…lighter. Lighter than I’ve ever seen her. Like she’s finally free, and maybe even feels like she deserves to be. It makes me feel lighter too.

Mostly.

I’m still trying not to think about the Dani-shaped hole in my life.

“I just worry about you.”

My mother smiles softly. “I know, darling. You’ve been playing the role of a parent for so many years now…and I’m so grateful. But I have to figure out how to be that for you now, okay? Let me try to do things on my own. Even if just a little. Have to start somewhere, right?”

“Fine,” I concede. “But call me when you’re done. Let me know if you go anywhere else.”

“Yes, yes,” she huffs. “I will. Try to do something fun, okay? You’re starting to stress me out with all your moping, and I’m supposed to be the basket case.”

“Don’t joke like that,” I chide. “You are not.”

Still, I have to admit that hearing her make a joke is exhilarating, even if I hate that it’s at her expense.

“I’ll see you in a few hours, okay?”

I nod, biting my tongue at the urge to ask to take her again. “All right.”

I try not to let worry overcome me as I watch her sling her purse over her shoulder, telling me that Rita is waiting on her in the lobby and, once again, that she doesn’t need me to see her down. I know she wants to feel this independence; it’s not something she’s been able to have in years, and I want to give that to her, even if just a little.

I have no idea what I’m supposed to do when she’s gone since the last few days have revolved around her completely, trying to get her settled into my guest room. I’ve been plagued with worry that any moment could be the one that Alexander came after us, and each one that he doesn’t only worsens my anxiety. Like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I try to do what my mother asks, doing my best to make myself busy in her absence. She’s been such a staple feature in my apartment the last few days, and I’ve loved having her here. It feels more like the us we were when I was a kid. I can only hope that with each day away from Alexander’s hold, it will get even better.

I’m sick of TV after the first hour, and by the second, I’m going a little stir crazy. I feed Purrgood; he’s been angry at me for days, I suspect because he misses Dani, which, join the club, my guy. I’ve been doing my best not to think about her, because I’m afraid if I do, I might just break down completely. I told her more or less that I would wait for her, hoping beyond hope that she would eventually decide to give us a real shot, but deep down…I’m afraid she might never be there.

Purrgood yowls at me, and I glance down to find him giving me a reproachful look, if that’s even possible for a cat. “Don’t look at me like that,” I tut. “Traitor.”

I leave him to his judging, padding into the kitchen to try to find something bad for me to distract from the stress that is my life right now. Something covered with cheese, I think. I’m still digging through a cabinet when I hear a knock at my door. I peer over my shoulder and frown, wondering if Mom forgot her key.

I jog through the living room to grab the handle, turning it. “Hey, did you forget your—?”

It’s not my mother.

My mouth hangs open, my question lost to the air as I stare at the woman in front of me, wondering if she’s a figment of my imagination. God knows I’ve thought about her enough this week to physically manifest her.

“Dani?”

“Hi.” She shifts in her heels, still in court clothes. It hits me then what day it is. “Can I come in?”

“I…yeah,” I manage, remembering myself. “Come in.”

She steps past me, making a happy sound when she spots my traitor cat trotting up to greet her. She bends to scratch behind his ears, and the sight is so reminiscent of easier days between us that it makes my chest hurt.

“Hey, big guy,” she coos. “Miss me?”

“He’s not the only one,” I tell her truthfully, causing her to peek back at me from over her shoulder with wide eyes.

She straightens, smoothing the fabric of her slacks and looking up at me through her lashes, and I notice for the first time the manila envelope in her hand. “I…missed you too.”

“Did you?”

It’s not a facetious question, I’m actually desperate to confirm it.

She chews on the inside of her lip, watching me. I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a high ledge as I wait for her to keep speaking. My heart thumps against my ribs; I still can’t be sure what it is she’s come to tell me. Whether or not she’s putting me out of my misery or ensuring it’s going to continue for a very long time.

But surprisingly, she doesn’t do either of those things.

“I won today,” she tells me.

“I…congratulations.”

“Did you know Anton was Lorenzo’s son?”

“I had suspicions,” I tell her with a shrug. “I didn’t have any proof.”