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“Then, you are not responsible.”
The asshole on the floor had tampered with the bus. Shah had paid off the truck driver to run the red light. Shah had caused the wreck.
“I’m the one who sought her out.”
I let her gather her thoughts, knowing whatever she wanted to say were things she’d kept hidden for decades.
“I knew about her. Arun and Ashok kept tabs on her, just in case she stood in the way of Ashok’s marriage to Monica. It took years, but I waited. I waited until my boys and you were old enough to go to school before reaching out to her.
“We became friends, and together, we were going to tell Ashok’s parents what their son was doing behind their backs. The Shahs were good people.” A tear slipped down her face. “If I’d only thought to arrange for her transportation, she wouldn’t have taken the bus. I should have known to cover my tracks better. I was so stupid.”
“You can’t think like that, Mum.” Neil squeezed Smita’s hand.
“He’s right. You aren’t responsible for the actions of monsters. I could never fault you for trying to find an escape from your prison. Neither would my mom.”
Devani set a hand on my shoulder. “It’s time to build a new, different life. One that you want.”
Smita nodded and then whispered something to Neil. A few seconds later, he left with his mother.
“Sir, I believe it’s time for all non-essential personnel and civilians to leave the area.” Devani folded her arms and tapped her foot. “We have a cleanup team ready to sweep the area.”
There was no use in demanding she tended to her own bruises or well-being.
She never gave an inch when in director mode.
“Is my wife kicking me out?”
I loved seeing that irritated crease form between her brows when I annoyed her.
“No, the Director of Solon North America is telling you to get lost.”
“I hear you.”
Just as I turned, in a voice only I could hear, she said, “We’re both fine. You can stop worrying. I’ve had serious injuries before and survived. Getting shot with a vest on is nothing.”
“Your attempts at reassurance need some work.”
She shrugged. “At least I tried.”
As I made my way to the doors, I caught sight of Shah’s and Joshi’s lifeless, still bodies.
All the humor from a moment before disappeared as something I could only describe as a state of apathy washed over me. All the rage and hatred built in my system over the years no longer existed. In its place sat complete nothingness.
Stopping, I studied them.
These two men had caused so much chaos and pain. All for what? Power and money.
Especially Shah.
He’d destroyed so many lives to achieve his goals.
And in the end, he hadn’t died by my hands, the son he’d thrown away, or by the one he’d created out of brutality, but by those of his victim.
As Lilly would say, Fate always possessed a sweet sense of justice.
If this wasn’t justice, I wasn’t sure what was.
A group of men and women dressed in black, carrying duffle bags of the same color, entered the room. With one last look, I put the demon who’d consumed so much of my history in the grave.
