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“That’s not the question you should be asking. The question you should be asking is whose body was actually recovered from that vehicle?”
I froze, my heart rate doubling in an instant. “But his dental records were a match. We’re just waiting on DNA results. Of course it’s him,” I stammered. “Why would you even think it’s not him? That’s crazy.”
Kaviathin seemed unfazed by my ranting. “I’m aware of the dental records. That means nothing.” He searched my face. “Ryzen Goodacre had the means and the reason to fake his own death. I’ve made inquiries with several associates, and nobody is taking credit for his murder. And since I can confirm that my family had nothing to do with his demise, that only leaves one option. He’s not dead.”
“That’s enough,” Valik growled from behind me. “Nova, let’s get out of here. You got your answer.”
Kaviathin rolled his eyes and leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “Your anger is misplaced. I’m trying to help you, Nova.”
“Why would you ever try to help me?”
“Because.” He shrugged. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Now is not the time to let your guard down. That’s what he’s counting on.”
He was serious. Actually fucking serious. This hadn’t been what I had expected when I came up here. I’d thought for sure he would say he had killed Ryzen, that I would feel some type of relief or peace, then go on with my life. But no, ladies and gentlemen, he was saying the exact opposite, and I had no idea how to process that. I’d had my doubts about the whole incident. It had all seemed too easy, too convenient. But what I hadn’t been prepared for was someone else confirming my worst fears. My mind refused to accept it.
“I don’t believe it.” I shook my head and stood, a lump forming in my throat. “That’s impossible, Kaviathin.” My fingers trembled as I reached into my purse and pulled out the card I had swiped from Thora’s handbag. I slid it across the table, his eyes following my every move. “Stay away from her.”
I turned without giving him a chance to respond, and Valik gripped my elbow as we made our way through the maze of tables. When we got to the door, the guards handed us back our weapons. The server stood at the bottom of the stairs, a brown bag of takeout food in his hands. He handed it to Valik with a polite nod and we rushed out.
I couldn’t get air in my lungs fast enough as I burst through the front doors.
“Nova, don’t listen to a word he said. He’s just fucking with you.” Valik gripped my shoulders, and I heaved a deep breath.
“You really think so? He looked dead serious, Valik. Like he thought Ryzen had faked the whole thing.” I glanced over my shoulder at the crowded parking lot, immediately wanting to kick myself for falling back into old patterns. “I’d convinced myself that Kaviathin killed him… and now I don’t know what to think.”
“He’s dead. Burned the fuck up.” Valik walked us towards the car, and I jumped in the back.
I just needed a second to think clearly. Why would Kaviathin lie?
For his own gain.
What did he have to gain from this?
I rubbed my hand over my face, squeezing my eyes shut. His face… he’d looked completely serious the whole time. Maybe he actually believed it. But just because he did didn’t mean I had to. God, what would Cian say if he knew about this little conspiracy theory? No, I wouldn’t tell him. Cian had been the happiest I had ever seen him these last few days, and I wasn’t about to rip that away from him.
“We can’t tell Cian,” I mumbled.
Valik gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. He nodded and turned to me. “OK, if that’s what you want, then fine. But Nova, please don’t do this to yourself. Ryzen is dead. Long gone. It’s time you accepted that.” He reached over the backseat and rubbed my knee.
I stared at his hand, my vision blurring as my mind raced over the conversation. The more I thought it over, the crazier it sounded. Yes, Ryzen probably had a secret stash of money somewhere the feds hadn’t been able to find. And yes, I was sure he knew the right people to help him pull a scheme like that off. But what about the dental records? The silver filling? It wasn’t like he could have pulled his damn teeth out and left them there.
No, Valik was right. I’d come here looking for answers but ended up with more questions. Unnecessary ones. I couldn’t—wouldn’t—fall down this rabbit hole with Kaviathin. It was time to put the past behind us and move on. The DNA results would be back in a few weeks, and then I would have my closure and let go. Let go of the anger, the bitterness.
“OK, Valik. You’re right.” I squeezed his hand. “I know I have to let it go now.”
“Good.” He turned around and took off out of the parking lot.
“Um, what the hell was that yellow stick? Mace or something?” I arched my eyebrow at him.
He threw his head back and roared with laughter, the stick in his hand. “I was just fucking with them.” He slapped his hand against the steering wheel. “I wish you could have seen the look on all of your faces. Priceless.”
God, this man, or should I say big teddy bear, was too much to handle sometimes. “You’re crazy.” I chuckled and relaxed into the seat. “Stan’s?”
“Pfft, you know I was already heading that way.”
Three bags of pastries and two iced coffees later, we were sitting on a concrete block overlooking the lake. It was that time of year where the air was getting chilled, but I didn’t mind it. Being by the water had always been a comfort to me, except obviously when I was being held hostage on an island. Maybe it was the sound of the waves, or the noises the seagulls made when they circled overhead, looking for their next meal. Either way, at that moment, I felt a million times better.
“I think you’re right, you know.” I took a big bite of my chocolate-filled pastry, the sweetness coating my tongue.
