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Rhea’s laugh floats down the hall to where I’m standing in the shadows, trying to assess the situation that will be unfolding in a matter of hours. Dimitri did the right thing in increasing security—that’s exactly what I was calling him for. I kept Wes alive after I killed his little cronies for this very reason. I had him sit very visibly in the front of the church so that his presence would draw the attention of Davos’ associates and enemies alike. I’m not sure how common knowledge it is that he is Davos’ son—I didn’t know that, and I like to think I know my enemies well since I’ve kept them closer than my own family for the last three years.
Davos knows where we are—not that he had any doubts when I called him and begged for him to give me the chance to purchase a woman I hadn’t even had sex with yet. I knew he was coming, but I didn’t know when. This wake is the perfect cover for him. And Wes is the perfect cover for me.
“Double what we have.” I tell him. “I want my house crawling with men on my own payroll.”
There’s a moment of hesitation, and then he says, “You got it.”
“How’s our patient?” I ask, before he can try to rationalize with me again on all the reasons why we shouldn’t let Wes out to play.
“Fine.” Dimitri laughs. “But you knew that. You’ve been texting him all day.”
“You’ve been with him all day?” I counter. “That’s sweet.”
Dimitri laughs, pauses, and then laughs harder. “Michael says ‘fuck you’.”
“I don’t think Michael said anything given that he told me he’s not allowed to speak for a few weeks while his vocal cords heal but tell him I’ll have to take a raincheck. I’ve already got my sights set on someone else.”
Dimitri snorts a laugh, and then the ease of the past minute fades as he sighs. “So, you want me to bring him up about four?”
“No.” I shake my head, fully aware he can’t see me. “I want him there the least amount of time possible…. Minimize the damage of his presence.”
“Sure,” Dimitri agrees, though he doesn’t sound entirely convinced. I’m about to hang up when my tongue moves of its own volition.
“Dimitri?”
“Yes, Boudreaux?” I appreciate the casual comfort we’ve slipped into following Jovich’s death. Dimitri took a back seat when my father sent Jovich to poke around in my business and things had grown a touch too formal. Laughing with him, teasing and cajoling and not being called ‘boss’ offers me a little levity.
“If Wes so much as lifts a finger to Claire or Rhea, cut it off.”
I almost expect him to protest or ask whether I mean to take him out back as opposed to switching open his blade in the middle of the wake, but somehow, I think he delights in the idea. He confirms as much when he speaks again.
“Gladly.”
Chapter twenty-six
Claire
I really do think I’m dehydrated. I’ve been avoiding anything Elaine has touched since I got back from the hospital, and the prosecco I indulged in last night surely didn’t help matters. But Rhea has already assured me that I need to replenish because we will not be sober for much longer, so I drink the entire water and then stand to grab another.
Rhea joins me, taking one for herself, before pulling me toward the stairs.
“Don’t you need help?” I gesture toward the counter and all the flowers, but she just laughs.
“No. We can place them when Elaine starts getting the food ready.”
I don’t care to argue the point, and I’m eager to know what shift happened between her and her brother that resulted in this bright and cheery attitude. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Remy somehow erased her memory of our conversation last night. I wouldn’t put it past him to know of some kind of pill or elixir that would help. Maybe I should ask about that.
But once we are safely shut in her room, it’s obvious that Rhea has not mysteriously had all of her memories wiped clean. Part of me is a little sad about that, but I’m mostly just relieved that I don’t have to go through telling her all of it again.
“Claire…” She heaves a breath, like she’s filling her lungs to scream. I sit on the edge of her bed, waiting for whatever is on her mind to tumble out of her mouth the way she tends to do. “I’m so sorry.”
I blink, waiting for the rest of whatever she’s going to say. When she’s quiet, I realize she’s chewing on her lip and watching me expectantly. Nervous is a weird look on her.
“Oh.” I say. “I forgive you?”
It comes out like a question, which breaks the dam and Rhea throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around me. “I’m sorry my family sucks, I’m sorry about what happened to you, I’m sorry I even asked you if you knew all of this before you met me. It was such a stupid thing to say, and I knew it wasn’t true, but I asked it anyway and I don’t know why but I hate that I did that to you!”
Her words tumble so quickly that I’m not sure I catch them all until she stops talking and my brain gets a chance to catch up. “I’m not sorry that I met you, Rhea. You’re my only family—the most important person in my life. I’m sorry that your family sucks, too. Honestly, I think your dad being an awful monster makes me feel better about not having parents.”
