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“Yeah. He didn’t tell me there were fights.”
“Lucian thought it would drive the kidnapper underground and that it would be better if we kept it quiet. Leo thought Lucian was going to get you killed just to prove he was a brainless motherfucker with a fetish for being wrong. That’s how he put it, anyway.”
I cover my face with my hands. Eva’s sigh has a hint of laughter. “It wasn’t funny at the time. It took Carter and Tiernan and Gerard to break it up.”
“Are they still fighting?”
“No. Lucian went to church with Leo that night. They heard Mass, I guess. And lit prayer candles.”
“Lucian did that?”
She nods, looking as speechless as I feel.
We sit together for a minute.
“I missed you,” she says. “I’m not going to interrogate you, though. If you want to talk, I’m here.”
“I know. I missed you, too.”
We’re still hugging when Haley comes in. “Hi.”
Eva lifts her head from my shoulder. “Hey. We escaped for a few minutes.”
“I don’t want to interrupt.” Haley hovers at the door, looking as sweet as the first day I met her. It was in this room. She was nervous. Now I’m the one who feels like the world is upside down.
“You’re totally not interrupting,” I tell Haley, who comes across the room and puts her arms around me. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” she says. Of all the people in this house, Haley is probably the one who’ll understand the most. “I’m glad you’re back. Do you need anything?”
“Wine. A lot of it.”
She laughs. “I’ll go get some.” Haley lets go, but I catch her hand, my heart twisting. Leo’s my brother, but he’s her husband, and if anyone’s going to be furious—
“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “It had to be stressful.”
Haley nods, a sheen of tears instantly in her eyes. “Oh, my god, don’t pay any attention to me. All that matters is that you’re okay.” She takes a breath and lets it out. “Are you okay, though? Was it really your Collector?”
“It was him,” I tell her. “And I guess it’s complicated.” Of all people, she knows how it is. I’m glad to be with my family, but I hate how things ended at Emerson’s house. The guilt for what I put them through makes my chest hurt, but I’m terrified for Emerson. The list goes on and on. “What about you?”
“I’m good.” Haley nods, almost to herself. “I’ll be around, obviously. But first I’ll get you some wine.” She bends down, gives me one more hug, and heads for the door.
“Bring three glasses,” I call after her.
“Right.” She hesitates at the threshold. Shakes her head with a smile. “Be back soon.”
“She’ll end up trying to carry all that stuff by herself.” Eva stands up from the sofa. “I’ll help her. Want anything else?”
“Crackers. Cheese. Anything you want to bring. Just be sure to come back.”
“Of course I will, sister mine.” She’s pleased that I asked her. I can see it in her eyes. “You won’t even have time to miss me.”
I’ve barely started sketching again when Lucian strides in, folds his arms over his chest, and peers down at me.
“You know that’s creepy,” I point out. “You can’t loom over people like that.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
