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“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to cause upset. I just wanted—”
“You wanted. Do you understand this isn’t about you?”
I rose. “That’s where you’re wrong. It’s always been about you. I’m just finally taking my place at the table.” I moved to the door, then turned back to look at Margo. “Thank you for speaking with me. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. Take care of yourself and your little one.”
I stepped into the hall and bumped into Roth’s men, who stared down at me as if they’d seen more impressive bugs. “I’ll be leaving now.” I tipped my hand toward them and pushed past them, half expecting them to grab my arm and strip-search me for God knows what reason.
But they let me go.
After stopping off for a piss and to make sure my eyes didn’t look as ravaged as they felt, I returned to the waiting room. Margo and Simon’s family and friends shifted toward me, their expressions accusing.
What did you do now, Ian?
It wasn’t voiced aloud, but I heard the question just the same.
In the center of it all was Zoe.
My Zoe.
I went to her, gripping her hands to tug her to her feet. “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head. “Where did you go?”
I darted a glance at Lila and Nick, who were by far the two most dangerous to my safety among the assembled group. I couldn’t even be sure which would be first to strike.
“Let’s talk elsewhere.”
“I just bet you want to talk elsewhere. Afraid you’ll be overheard?” Lila shook her head. “You never quit, do you?”
“I’m not afraid of being overheard. I’ll take out a billboard if it suits you. I spoke to my sister-in-law.”
Lila clenched her jaw. “You’re not to go near Margo. Haven’t you done enough?”
“Luckily for me, she’s far more kind than you are.” I glanced at Zoe. “I need some air.”
For a moment, I almost expected her to tell me to just go.
I’d been waiting for those words to come. Yet she was still with me. But I wasn’t fool enough to believe that meant she’d stick.
Zoe turned her back on her cousin. “Me too.”
She didn’t balk when I took her hand as we walked out of the waiting room. She held on even as we stepped into the lift and I pressed the button for the lobby.
When we stepped off, she let go.
And I knew this awful night wasn’t done with me yet.
Eleven
Margo turned her head on the pillow, expecting to see Simon. He’d been a fixture at her side since the moment he’d laid eyes on her again. She didn’t know how long it had been since she’d talked to Ian, but she’d drifted in and out for hours.
Maybe longer. Time had no relevance now.
Every time, Simon had been with her, murmuring softly. Once or twice, she’d awakened to him singing.
God, she couldn’t wait until she heard happiness or amusement or anything other than worry and sorrow in his voice. Her heart broke a little with every crack and rasp.
They’d talked a little bit. He’d answered her questions—most of them anyway. And he’d tried to make her smile. To not hurt with every breath.
