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23
LOUISA
Where do I go from here?
Mom is rubbing my back as I lie in bed, staring ahead at nothing. Even though I’ve cried for hours, tears still stream down my cheeks, a never-ending river of pain.
The guilt that eats at me prevents me from moving; the sadness, from breathing. I’m a living corpse, wishing for the bliss of a death that never comes.
“Have some of your soup, Lulu,” Mom whispers. “Please.”
I sniffle, the only response I can give, because the moment I open my mouth, sobs escape.
Mom sighs. “I’ll talk to your father again. Perhaps there’s something that—”
“No!” I grab hold of her arm when she tries to get up. “He won’t risk bringing Gideon’s wrath onto the Durans. Not again.”
“ThenIwill do something!” She pulls away, looking more determined than I’ve ever seen her. “I played a part in all of this too, and I will not stand by and do nothing while my daughter withers away. I will go after Gideon. He will pay.”
I’m unable to help it when sobs begin to wrack my body. “I’m the one responsible. If anyone has to do something, it’s me. I just don’t know what to do!”
“If only we had allies that would be willing to—”
Abruptly, I sit up. “Oh my God, that’s it. Oh my God!”
I jump out of bed and dig for my phone. While Axle couldn’t even look my way, Phil was much nicer. He took my cell phone and entered his number.
“Just in case” was all he said.
“What’s happening?” Mom asks, standing behind me and peering over my shoulder as I dial Phil.
“The Alliance, Mom. They were the answer; it was just the wrong question.”
“What?”
I’m about to explain it to her when I hear Phil’s voice. “Hello?”
“Phil, it’s Lou.”
“Is everything okay?”
“No,” I reply honestly. “Nothing will ever be okay again, because I took the life of the man I loved. But I can at least atone for my mistake.”
The line is silent for a moment. Then, “How can I help?”
“I need you get me in touch Luca Sinacore.”
* * *
A few hours later I arrive at the home of New York’s kingpin, accompanied by my father and a huge security detail.
“Thank you, Papá,” I say to him.
I didn’t expect his help. He’d told me he wouldn’t get involved. Didn’t want to risk war with Declan if things didn’t work out. However, when he saw my determination to meet with the head of the Sinacore Alliance, Papá refused to let me come alone.
But, this time, he’s allowing me take charge. “Remember jou’re a Duran and a McKenzie. Don’t let him intimidate you. I’ll be here if jou need me.”
I hug him, then step out of his sports car and catch up with Axle and Phil, who are already beneath the portico of the Victorian mansion.
