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The call rang and rang.
Giving up, I pulled the cell away.
“Rainey?”
“Ivy?” I straightened, banging my head on the wall and barely noticing. “Is that you?”
“It’s me.”
Of course, it was her. That smoky, mature voice and the slight lilt to the way she pronounced Rainey.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” I sobbed. “Oh, Ivy, I’ve missed you so much. You don’t know what it’s been like here without you—”
“Rainey.”
“I’m sorry for everything. I shouldn’t have said those things. I didn’t mean it.”
“I know,” she replied. “Your voice mails all said the same.”
My lips trembled. “I meant it. You know that, don’t you?”
“I know you’re sorry. It just doesn’t change anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s time we both had our own life. You were happy to live on the farm till you were eighty years old, rocking your great-grandchildren to sleep on the porch. You were horrible for what you said to me,” she said, voice shaking. “But I think a part of me was looking for a way out, and I found it. I have friends, a home, and a boyfriend here. I’m happy.
“You need to find your own happiness, Rainey, and that’s something you have to do alone.”
“But... why does that mean we can’t talk? I’ve been calling you for months, Ivy.”
“Why?” she repeated. Her tone changed in a snap. “Because you’re a rancid bitch who said I didn’t love the woman who raised me. We’re done, Rainey. Stop calling me.”
Click.
I lowered the phone, placing it on the bathroom mat. Unhurriedly, I moved to the sink, washed my face, picked up the letter.
I wasn’t mad. Ivy said what I knew she must’ve felt all this time. Why else would my calls have gone unanswered?
An awful thing to hear during what she intended to be our last conversation. Even so, she left me with an older sister’s wisdom one final time.
It was time to find my happiness.
I brushed my fingers over the card.
And discover why you’re determined to take it.
In the end, there was only one option. I had to find my way out of the darkness, and cut down anyone who tried to stop me.
“Paris.” I came out, grinning to crack my face in half. “Bring on that big-eared, leather-loving, alien from the north.”
***
Cairo
Rain hugged Paris, waved bye to Esteban, and came down the drive. She was making herself at home with my family, and she was welcome to them. She was either to be with us, or right where I could find her. Life was simple now that she understood that.
I shifted to the mirror and the hand-stitched gash above my eye. Alright, simple wasn’t the word.
Rainey climbed in and reached for me. She was dressed in one of Paris’s outfits. A blue dress that brought out light flecks in her eyes. Undoubtedly, she had an enjoyable time hanging out with the sibling who had all of a sudden become her best friend, in her mansion of eleven rooms for three people. She’d have eaten fresh muffins made by their housekeeper, Laurent, and possibly took a quick dip in the hot tub with those girls who were always hovering around Evie.
Compared to a leash, collar, and doghouse on the living room floor, it’d have crossed anyone’s mind to trade up. Paris was the kind of bleeding heart to convince Nora to let the homeless farm girl stay with them.
Did Rain realize that if she chose to break free of me, this house was the only place in all of Bedlam she’d be safe. The one place I wouldn’t enter.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she did know. Paris wasn’t one to keep shit that wasn’t anyone’s business to herself.
Still, she willingly climbs in my car like she waited on the hood for us after I claimed her.
I couldn’t stop asking why. Something in her eyes said I wouldn’t like the full reason.
Her touch skated my brow. “Are you okay?” Real concern laced her question.
“I’m upright, aren’t I?”
She chuckled. “Yes, but your serfdom just rose up against you. Bet you’re wishing now you used honey to attract more than mouths to your dicks. Could’ve paid to be nicer to people.”
“I can tell you with certainty.” I removed her hand. “People don’t pay when you’re nice.”
“What’s the deal with these payments?”
I started the car, rolling down Bay Avenue.
“I assume there’s a reason you make everyone give you a cut. But when you’re taking their money, and the New Boys are giving it to them, it kinda makes it easy to pick favorites.”
“Nothing is given for free.” My temper leeched out. “Once they find out the strings attached, they’ll be hanging from them.”
“What are you guys going to do? How can you stop this?”
I cut the engine off before a home six down. Grasping her hips, I tugged her toward me. Rain came willingly, settling on my lap.
