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He chuckles. “I’ve got her if you need to get Lucy home.”

Mom turns and looks back at where Robert holds Lucy. “We should.”

She seems reluctant to leave.

“Hey, Dad.” Eli comes up alongside Caden and I. He takes my hand and lifts it to his lips, pressing a kiss on my knuckles. A little shiver rolls through me.

“Eli.” Cameron glances between the three of us with a questioning expression. “I know we’re supposed to be cool, but this is really the thing? Dating as a group?”

Eli shrugs. “It works for us.”

Cameron laughs. “Guys used to fight over girls back in my day.”

“Thankfully, we aren’t back in your day anymore.” Mom shakes her head. “Come on. We should leave the kids to it before you embarrass yourself further.”

Mom leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Be safe, kid.”

“I will.”

“I was hoping to wait for all of you to be here.” Cameron turns to my mother and looks at Robert. He takes a deep breath in. Cold chases through me at the look on his face that tells me we aren’t going to like this.

“What is it?” Eli asks.

“Zach’s lawyer is trying to get him house arrest, saying his mental state is too fragile for lockup and Zach fears for his life. He’s been talking to the DA and willing to name names.” His eyes meet Eli’s. “Your mom hasn’t said anything, but if this is what I think it is, I might have to recuse myself as her lawyer.”

We’ve talked about whether Nora Jacobs could be the boss lady Zach and his crew mentioned. It makes some sense, but in other ways, it doesn’t fit. Why would she need to be wrapped up in the drug business? Who knows how deep William’s influence goes?

“Will she move out?” Eli leans into me and squeezes my hand. He hasn’t said much about his mother, but I know this has been hard on him. If she is the boss lady, even if she didn’t command Zach to attack me, she gave him the means.

“We’ll make arrangements.” Cameron turns and takes a breath before meeting Eli’s eyes. “If she’s going through a trial⁠—”

“I don’t want to live with her.” Eli’s words are without emotion. Even though Eli hoped the divorce was coming, it doesn’t make it hurt any less. Add that to everything else that’s happened and his life is being turned upside down. “If she’s involved in this, I don’t even want to breathe the same air as her.”

Cameron moves forward like he wants to fix this. “Eli⁠—”

“No, Dad, she’s done nothing but ruin this family.” Venom taints his words. “If she’s part of this thing with Zach, she had to know what he was planning with Harper. I’m not living in the same house with her if that’s the case.”

Cameron’s face goes hard, and I see in him what Eli was like before he fell in love with me. “Whatever you want, Eli. I’ll make arrangements for her to move out this weekend.”

Eli nods and pulls me toward him away from Caden. Reluctantly, Caden releases me and drags his fingers along my waist. I put my arms around Eli as he kisses my temple. I’m here for whatever my guys need.

CHAPTER 52

The Soldier’s Heart

Jack

The party is in full swing when we walk in. Before we got here, we took a few minutes to talk about what was going on, so everyone is up to speed. The last time we were at Jason’s was after the aborted Homecoming game and the police station. Nothing bad happened here. It felt like an intermission to the shitshow of last weekend, a way to let off steam.

I thought I’d have Harper to myself this week. More like I worried about it. In the evenings we were alone, but after Luke and Caden found out about Eli sneaking in, they took the other nights. Nico got Harper to himself after school, so he wasn’t upset to be left out. It’s also hard to sneak with an injury.

We have plans to go to Caden’s tonight after the party. And we all need that time to just be together. Things at school have been low-key. There were a few additional students sent to rehab after the testing. The school is working to put together a student group to basically narc on anyone using.

That should go over well.

The FBI and DEA are still around town. With Will’s help, we’re keeping tabs on what they’re doing as best we can. They set up offices in the police station for their task force. The FBI is looking into the potential human trafficking house, while the DEA is focused on the drugs from the hospital.

They’re doing a full audit, and I’m sure there are a lot of people sweating at the hospital.