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“Like what?” I prod.
“Like when anyone mentions your father. I hate mentioning him now because it’s unchartered territory with us, but this situation with you being away feels like that. It’s making me worry.”
“You don’t have to worry.”
“Notice how those words are easier said than done?”
“I know, but you seriously don’t. I promise.”Really, Gwen, you promise?
Maybe I have lost my mind. I’m married to a man who’s not only in the mafia but a secret society, and he’s in Mexico taking over the cartel—my family—who are obviously planning some retaliation strategy.
That pretty much sounds like everything I could worry about in this world served on one very big plate of shit.
“I hope so, but honestly, I often wonder if we’re really as close as I thought we were.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because I know you. So, I know there’s shit you’re not telling me. This is how you get when you have some secret. You did this same thing with Gage until I dragged it out of you. Then Conrad and the debt. But worse, this is how you are about your father. Don’t you think it’s strange that I’m supposed to be your best friend yet you’ve never opened up to me about him? I don’t know if he was good or bad or anything.”
How do I explain to her that he was both? “I promise we’ll talk about him one day.”
“I get it if you don’t want to. It’s not my business, but what worries me is that I’ve always had this feeling whenever you’ve been in trouble. Is that what’s happening here?”
“No.” I hate lying. “I’m not in trouble.”
Another bout of silence fills the space, and another sigh leaves her lips. “Okay, I’ll stop pushing you.” The disappointment in her voice hits me hard.
“Hopefully, I’ll have more info in a week or so.” Here’s hoping Malik will be back by then. I can’t keep this up and continue lying to my friend.
“Okay. That would be great. I guess it is what it is.”
“Dru, please don’t be like that.”
“I think you understand how I feel. Anyway, looks like I’d better go. Be safe.”
“You, too.”
She disconnects the line, but I keep the phone to my ear, listening to the hollow sound of separation.
Great, just fucking great. The last thing I need is to piss off my best friend.
Dru and I never stay mad at each other for long, but this is different. She’s also never brought up my father like that before. It’s ironic that she would now, when what’s happening has everything to do with him.
I put my phone back in my pocket, then stay out for another hour until night falls.
I summon Sebastian, and we head back up to the house.
I hear voices when I reach the courtyard. One in particular that makes my heartbeat kick up a few notches.
It’s Malik.
Just as I think of him, he appears across the distance on the terrace.
It is him. He’s back.
Despite everything, relief washes over me for seeing he’s safe. And just seeing him.
I’m about to continue up the path, but I stop in my tracks when Kelly walks up to him and gives him a hug.
