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Orion’s brow arches but he doesn’t look angry.
“I wasn’t prepared to talk to him,” I sniffle. “Did I fuck up?”
“No, little girl, I don’t think you did at all,” he rumbles as he plays with my hair. “You’re a really good person, with a dark streak through her soul. I think that’s what balance is. Do you want a glass of water before we go?”
I nod, because my throat feels a little raw.
“Whoever is skulking out there, can I get a glass for Lennon?” Orion calls out and I giggle.
“Yeah, but only because it’s for her,” Turner laughs. “I wasn’t skulking, I just wanted to know why she was crying.”
Orion snorts, but I just smile. I love their banter. It reminds me of what a family should be like.
20
DEREK
Lennon gets a call from her dad on Orion’s phone as we head out to the facility holding Elaine. I’m sitting in the back seat, watching as Orion hands her the phone when he sees a number he doesn’t recognize, since no one else would have it. I guess James chose to check in not too long after Len hung up with Laurence, but it still feels odd to me.
“Hello, James,” Lennon says, biting her lip when she realizes he’s calling. “Thank you for calling, I had a question, and wanted to see if you could help?”
I hope that James will take the easy way out and just give Lennon the information she needs. Watching as she puts him on speaker, I remind myself to stay quiet.
“Absolutely. I’m in New York State right now, scouting for new talent before I go into the city, how can I help?”
Lennon picks at the rips in her jeans. “You probably don’t realize this, and before I tell you, I want to ask that you keep an open mind. I’m successful in my own right, and don’t need anything from you, okay?”
Len is right to establish this from the beginning, because she’s going to have to tell James he’s her father in order to be able to ask about Carrie.
“I don’t know what this is about, but I can promise you I’ll keep an open mind,” he says carefully.
I scowl, because he didn’t give his word that he wouldn’t hang up on her.
“First, even though I have been part of the Music Horde Records family, I think I should introduce myself properly. My name is Lennon O’Reilly, and my mother’s name is Carrie.”
The silence is deafening, so much so that Lennon checks the phone to make sure it’s still connected.
“Hello?” she says softly.
“Are you insinuating that I’m your father, Lennon?”James asks softly, and I want to punch him.
“I’m not insinuating anything,” Lennon says primly, her reaction when someone acts as if she’s lying. “Uncle Jordan told me a few months ago before I was kidnapped by Mom. Look… I’ve gone through a lot of shit recently, but Layla can tell you I’m telling you the truth. I need to know something about Mom, and you may be the only person who can help me. James… she’s alive, and working with some really shady people.”
“Lennon, honey. Carrie’s been dead for a long time. I know you were in a mental institution, but maybe you got out too soon. Please take care of yourself. Get some help,”James says, hanging up and Lennon screams in frustration.
“Motherfucker!”
Blowing out a breath, I remind myself we can’t kill her dad. My eyes flick up to meet Orion’s in the rear view mirror, noticing the corners are pinched.
“Lennon,” I say softly.
“Call Jordan,” Orion urges her softly instead. “He can track him down. You tried, and your dad’s choosing to be a dick. Let Jordan hack his accounts or get him pulled over for unpaid traffic tickets. It’ll make you feel better, and he would love to talk to you.”
Lennon takes a shaky breath and nods.
“I haven’t called him yet after everything, and should have. I kind of suck at this niece thing,” she jokes weakly.
“Baby girl, you only suck at one thing, and even that you do real fucking well,” I growl, surprising her into a giggle.
