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“Beside my own concern for you?”
“Yes.”
“Earl and Mary are terrified you’ll end up like your mom. A shadow of herself.”
“They know?” she gasps, sitting forward while I nod in confirmation. “Why the hell didn’t they tell me anything? Why stay quiet all this time?”
“Because Marcus threatened to move you far away and cut all contact. With hurting you physically, and neither was willing to take that chance. They had no help, London, and did the best they could to be there for you.”
“Jesus, this is…” she trails off, and I wrap her tightly in my arms as the first sob breaks free from her chest. Just hold her to me while the reality of what could’ve been seeps through, and we’re not even at the worst. Where my suspicions lie.
Seeing her tears feels like a dagger to my chest. It hurts.
Caring for someone does that to you. Their pain is yours, and you will tear the world apart to take it away. Nothing has proven this fact to me more than seeing her this distraught.
The way London clings to me so desperately further ignites my need for their blood. I want her gripping me from pleasure, never pain.
Kissing her forehead, I breathe in her sweet scent. It helps calm me. Keeps my focus on her and not ending them. I made a promise that their end will be slow, and it will be. Each strike from me will leave them reeling—crying for a mercy I will never grant.
“They both love you but couldn’t take on either of them. Not without help, because sadly, they know someone in the Chicago PD that covers for them.”
Her head shoots up at that, blue orbs wide with fear. “Lieutenant Bristol. That’s who they know…he and Alton went to high school together.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Slowly, I wipe the dampness from her cheeks. “I knew the whom, just needed confirmation on the connection.”
“He’s a cocky jerk. The guy has always given me the creeps.”
“Did he ever touch you?” There’s an unmistakable bite to my tone. If he has, the Lieutenant will be dead by the end of the night.
“Was he creepy? Yes, but never moved past a leer or comments on my looks. I swear.”
“Okay.” I’ll leave it at that for now, but something still doesn’t sit right with me about this man. Especially if he’s covering for the Fosters because no one does anything without some sort of personal gain. His job is on the line and so is possible jail time if found out.
What did they offer him?
London grabs the file then and continues to look over each document, pausing on a particular one detailing the Conte family. The one she will never get to meet. “They’re all dead?”
“All except for your cousin Aurora who lives in the Lincoln Park area. She’s the daughter of your father’s sister who passed away a few years ago due to complications from a kidney transplant.”
“I have a cousin,” she breathes out, and for the first time since we started this talk, Twirl smiles. It’s a curious one with just a hint of excitement. “Mom was an only child and my grandparents died when I was small…I’ve never had anyone outside of the Fosters.”
“Well, now you have my family, and we’re crazy enough to keep you entertained for years to come.”
“You’ll probably give me greys early.” And it’s that comment that lets me know she’ll be more than okay. The sadness lingers, but it won’t be permanent. This opens the doors for her to another world, and I think that gives her hope.
“That mouth of yours.” I give her a playful growl before leaning over to nip her shoulder. “But there’s more to discuss, and I need your attention for a minute.”
“What else?” There’s trepidation in her tone.
“You’re the sole beneficiary in your mothers will, London. Just you.”
“That can’t be right…they…Marcus told me…fuck!” She rubs a hand down her face. “It’s mine?”
I get up and kneel in front of her, bring our faces level, and I’m proud to see some anger in those expressive blue orbs. “Say the word, and I’ll proceed with getting everything handed back to you. The house is yours and so is the monthly stipend you get—and they’ve been misspending—until you turn twenty-one and receive your inheritance from Amelia and Julian.”
“And the Fosters?”
“Karma.”
