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I hold my breath, fearful of what he’ll say next.
“Sure, it would have sucked in here,” he says. “But the first few years are terrible, anyway. We thought, why wait on life? You have to apply to have a kid and the Eminent has to approve it. I guess he liked her picture or something. He never paid us any attention before that.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say. “How long has she—”
“Six months,” Alexander cuts me off. “Most girls don’t last a year, so we can wait it out. We’ll make it.”
“Yes, you will,” I agree, and I place my hand on his shoulder.
Alexander turns, placing his hand over mine. “We’ll make it,” he repeats. I’m not sure if he says this to comfort me or to make himself believe it, but I believe enough for both of us.
I lean forward and give him a hug. He’s stiff at first, but he quickly relaxes and hugs me back, sinking into the embrace.
“So, you understand why I need to get to my family,” I say, still entwined in his arms. “My kids, Sam, my friends.”
“I understand, but that doesn’t mean I can help,” he says. “I have to think ofmyfamily.”
“Sleep on it,” I add. “In this bed, while I suffer on the couch.”
We both let out a small chuckle, and I pull away, knowing I need to call it a night. “I have a question for you,” he says.
“Is it if you can call me Row? Because you can, but only if I can call you Alex.”
“No,” he says. “But call me Alex. Everyone before did, and I’ll try not to call you my pain in the ass.”
“You did this to yourself,” I remind him. “And I’ll always be grateful. I owe you.”
“Enough to answer any question,” Alex asks.
“Anything,” I say. “I’ll tell you anything if you help me and my family. Could I see them this week, or send a message?”
“I don’t know,” he sighs. “I really don’t, Row. I’m surprised I don’t have a bullet in my brain, and I don’t know what the Eminent’s plan is.”
“Right,” I say and clasp my hands in my lap. “Your question? What is it?”
Alexander lays back and puts his hands behind his head. His large form stretches out, and I scoot over, enjoying the warm covers while I can.
“Who’s Dean Riggs?”
Chapter Eleven
It’s Now
ThatnoteIwantto forget.
Dean’s face flashes a vicious smile while rain pours down around us.
A man falling from the cliff side.
With Alex’s innocent question, it all floods back, and the chance for a restful sleep disappears.
“Rowan?” Alex shakes my shoulder gently, and I leave the vision with Dean before I fall too deeply inside.
Blinking a few times, the room comes back into focus. “Someone,” I swallow the lump in my throat. “That I loved once.”
Alex’s eyebrows rise with my admission, but he recovers from his surprise, hiding the incredulous look on his face. “We all have some of those.”
My skin grows clammy and cold. “Not like this,” I warn.
