“Let’s say I have firsthand knowledge that won’t be happening, and we’ll leave it at that,” she said. “He’s gone. Really.”
Nasir swayed. “It’s…it’s over?”
“I don’t know for sure. Hard to say how many others worked with him. He definitely had people staking out this property.” She eyed the premises, her nerves firing up again. “I tried to stop them, but I can’t be positive it worked.”
“He was the head of the snake. Once he’s silent long enough, word will spread.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Hope is more than I’ve had in a good long while.” He smiled. The first smile she’d seen since his return.
“Was he ever your friend?” Hena asked.
“I loved the guy,” Nasir said. “That’s why it took me so long to see what was going on. When he took me to my first high-stakes table, I thought he was being a good friend. He liked gambling too. Said he was getting me into exclusive clubs as a personal favor. When he offered to loan me money the first time, I thought he was looking out for me. The deeper I got, the more things changed. I made the choice, though. I own it. He didn’t force me to go to those parties. He didn’t make me drop the dice…”
He trailed off, lost in thought for a moment.
“Thanks for saving me,” he said at last. “Again.”
“Let’s make this the last time?” Hena gave him a weak smile.
He reached out. Cupped her face with his rough, calloused hands.
“I love you, Hena,” he said. “I always have. I always will.”
Tears stung her eyes. She thought of their cottage with blooming azaleas in Coral Gables. There had been a whole plan. She’d thought they would grow old together.
But plans changed. Life happened.
Sometimes you couldn’t go back in time to the person you once were.
And sometimes that was for the best.
Hena loved him. She always would. But love wasn’t always enough. She took his hands and gently lowered them from her face. He understood.
“How’s Roscoe?” he asked.
“He’s great,” she told him. “I’ll send you pictures.”
“I miss that guy.”
“He’s yours,” Hena said.
“I know he’s in good hands. Maybe I can visit him sometime?”
“You can visit anytime, Nasir.”
He reached forward and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. They hugged. Nasir held on a moment longer than necessary—like he was memorizing the feel of her—before letting go at last.
He walked past the huddled groups scattered across the lawn. They watched him rejoin his family. The gossip about this week was going to be next-level. A scandal for the ages. But Nasir was beloved. The golden child. When all was said and done, he would be fine.
She headed back into the hotel, and her breath caught.
In the lobby, at the reception desk, was Reza.
A suitcase rested at his feet. A garment bag was draped over his arm. He thanked the woman at the front desk and pulled at his carry-on.
When he saw Hena, he paused. A flicker of guilt flashed across his face. She winced at his arm in a sling, his swollen and bruised left eye, the stiff way he was hunched over.
