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I almost died that day. That’s the only thing I know. I was drunk as hell, and Angie and some woman fed me pills like a Pez dispenser, and I was breaths away from dying.
“Honestly?” Scarlett backs into the kitchen while I follow. “It was bad. I’ve seen some rough shit, but that was heartbreaking. She thought you were dead, and you sure looked it, and she didn’t care. She just held you in her arms until the medics pulled you away. And then your assistant wouldn’t let her see you at the hospital. He said you wanted it that way, and I’ve never seen someone so desperate.”
“She was desperate?” That word again.
“Yeah, she was. She would’ve shot up the hospital walls if I hadn’t been there. Like she would’ve made Swiss cheese of that fucking place to get to you.”
I can see her doing it.
“You know, Mr. Dean—”
“Please call me, Redix.”
“Redix, I wish I had someone who loved me that much. Who’d fight for me like that. It’s rare and a shame to let it die.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“You look beautiful.”
I wedge my foot into my Louboutins. “Thanks, Mama.” I smile at her sitting on my bed, watching me dress for a New Year’s Eve Party.
“You sure you want to go?”
Senator Gentry Evans’s New Year’s Eve Party, to be exact.
“Yes.” I shimmy into a silver sequined mini dress. “I’ll have good company; his wife is a good person.”
“Well, Stacey Evans may be good, but Gentry is heinous. He needs to be caught. The right way.”
I start lotioning up my bare legs. “I’m working on it.”
Mama’s quiet for a bit. It’s not like her, and I worry.
“You look tired. Are you not sleeping well?”
“I’m fine.” She rolls her pretty eyes. “And I gotta see this—Mr. Silas Van de May picking up my daughter for a date. Who would’ve known he’s an heir to a fortune? Your dad’s known him for years and had no clue.”
“Because Silas doesn’t want his family’s money, and my family being here when he picks me up is weird as hell.”
I dab on FREE perfume.
“Well, your dad wants to watch some damn fishing tournament, and our satellite is out, so deal with it.”
Dad’s out in my living room, making himself at home, but I know it’s also to give Silas his blessing. I’m twenty-nine. I don’t need their blessing, but my parents are former cops—they’re gonna give it anyway. And it’s weird officially dating Dad’s close friend. But they’re almost thirty years apart, so is it really?
I loop on earrings and a bracelet next. In my jewelry box, the new infinity necklace Redix gave me… replacing the one stolen from us that night… my touch lingers over it.
How we left things? What he said?
I cried for a day over it. Like tears fell until I was empty. Until no more pain could bleed from my heart over him. I know he didn’t mean it. He’s in pain. He feels guilt over Renie and Derek; it must be hell.
But I can’t be battered by his storm anymore. I’m doing what I can. I always will. But if he wants to rage and rip his life apart again, I won’t stand by and get hurt, too.
“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
Mama’s propped up on my bed and doesn’t miss a thing.
“He really wants to know.” I turn to her. “He wants me to admit it.”
