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“And I’m not telling you this because I’m trying to convince you to be with him.”
“Oh?”
She nods. “As his sister, I can see his imperfections far clearer than anyone else. And like any sister, I want to see him settled and happy.”
“Right.”
“I also know you make him happy.”
“I thought he’d make me happy, too, but...” I glance away, then wipe the teardrop that’s escaped down my cheek.I will not cry. Cade is going to be fine.My phone buzzes. I pull it out of my handbag and read the message from JJ. “The intruder… My stalker. JJ says not to worry anymore. He’s going to take care of it, so he doesn’t bother me anymore.”
“JJ is a man of many resources,” Zara murmurs.
I glance up at her. “Doesn’t it bother you that he’s—"
“An ex-leader of an Organized Crime Division?”
I nod.
“Why, does it bother you?”
“My father—" I clear my throat. “He’s part of the Mob.”
“I know.”
I blink. “You do?”
“You didn’t think I’d have you vetted before I gave you a job?”
“Oh.”
“I don’t hold someone’s background against them.”
I look away, taking in the nurses at the table next to us. On the other side, a man in scrubs is reading from a paperback, his now-empty plate in front of him.
“Are you trying to tell me something?” I glance up at her. “If so, you’re going to have to spell it out. I’m too tired for puzzles.”
She blows out a breath. “Don’t give up on him, Abby. Please.” She reaches over and grasps my hand. “He needs you right now.”
“And I want to be there for him. But whether I am with him or not, he’ll be fine. He’ll recover. He’ll—" I swallow. “He’ll be back on his feet and going about his life in no time.”
“It won’t be the same without you by his side.”
“I’m not sure I can do that.” I swallow down the ball of emotion that clogs my throat.
“I see,” she says slowly.
“I need time, Zara. There are things he’s done, that he told me he’s done—that I need time to digest. I need time and space to put things in perspective.”
“That’s fair enough.” She tightens her grip on my hand. “I’m here for you, Abby. For the both of you. And I won’t coax you into doing anything you don’t want. And if this wasn’t my brother, I’d be the first to say that you’re probably right to leave him. I thought I could be impartial, despite the fact he’s my blood, but turns out, my blood-ties have biased me.”
“Which is how it’s meant to be, isn’t it?”
“Not always, as you’re aware. But in this case, it does supersede my rational judgement.” She half-smiles. “Not something I ever thought I’d catch myself saying.”
“You’re a good sister.”
“And you’re a good…fiancée.”
