Page 115 of Total Exposure

The book.

“Where’d you get this?” I ask, staring at the black cover in his outstretched hand.

He nods his head to the door. Indicating Jordan. “He slipped it to me when I left you two alone.” And then he sets it down on the cot. “Ya know,” he says, sighing deeply, like he’s been doing this job way too long. “You’re not even under arrest, son. Dude’s getting charged with attempted murder this time. You can just go home. You played your part, Ixion. We’ll handle it from here.”

I played my part, all right.

The low thrum of helicopter rotors shakes the ceiling. Gramps and I stare at each other until the noise fades. And then he says, “Go to the show.”

“What?”

He nods at the book. “I was bored outside, so I read it.”

“What? You asshole!”

“She needs you,” he says. Then he shrugs one last time before turning his back to me. “And you need her too.”

I stare at the book, then give in because there’s not a chance in hell I wouldn’t read what she has to say. I pick it up, settle back down on the cot, and open it up to the last entry.

Have you ever felt adored?

Not for your talent, but because you struck a chord

that resonated like light in the night?

Held in the gaze of a stranger

totally exposed, completely enclosed

tightly embracing the danger

one feels when they are loved?

But through it all you find

that you are more than they defined

and there is something bright

like light in the night

for the years ahead.

I have felt adored, Ixion.

And of all the people on this earth, only you were able to do that.

That’s why I’m here.

Jordan has added something to the book as well.

A VIP pass to Evangeline’s show tonight.

Chapter Forty-Seven - Evangeline

Mei Ling Chao is standing in my living room.

I am due to leave for my first performance since I was a teenager in twenty minutes, but I don’t care if I’m late. Mei Ling Chao is standing in my living room.