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After learning Rocco's younger brother had been involved in the killing of his brother, we didn't know if that would put a target on her back. Tony and Draven worked tirelessly to find Ricardo, but he hid better than a meaningless worm in the rotating Earth. We'd get him, but I didn't know if that would bring her the peace she needed or not. Only being home for a couple of weeks, my bestie still went through her waves of emotions.
Walking into the lavish main area, I took note of the sitting room before the elevator with the attendant working the desk as Fernando held the door open for us. Thanking him, I couldn't help but feel like this place stood as a glorified hotel where the guests lived within it on a more permanent basis. The white floors were marble with gold and gray flecks warped into swirls, and the walls were the whitest I'd ever seen. Whoever cleaned them kept their pristine appearance up. Gold light fixtures sat above our heads in their lavish designs to promote the chandelier-like quality.
"I sometimes forget the money my family is made from." Astrid shivered beside me, hating what came with belonging to the Russi line.
"Tell me about it. I still collect coupons and see what meat is on sale for the week to survive." Hugging myself, the money aspect of our family still sat stiffly in my stomach. Though, their generosity would help me host weekly groups for those struggling to afford the care they needed. Making it free of charge for my future clients, they let me pick a small and humble place to host my meetings in. They were helping me create more good in the world.
"At least you get it," Astrid hummed in reply. "Some girls want the money they have and would manipulate their way in. I'm glad Tony found you because no one else would ever be good enough."
Entering the elevator, the guard gave us one dip of his chin to recognize who we were. Fernando must've radioed him before we reached the end of the lobby. Using my key to the lift, we let the music keep the peace between us. Worry brimmed our minds to the point a moment of silence felt necessary to contain it. We had to figure out what to say to Kasey without it ripping her to shreds all over again.
Once the doors parted, Astrid and I shared a knowing look. We were about to enter the territory of a scorned woman, one who needed reminding we were on her side. Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself we'd overcome worse together. "Kasey? You home?"
I knew she was, but I wanted her to comprehend we were inside her fortress. She deserved the small warning that came with my greeting. Grazing our feet over the marble floors, I took note of the darker walls she sported. White linens draped her windows, blocking out the sun, leaving the dim lights of her lamps to enhance our path. She'd been living half alive, but the saltine crackers told me she'd been having some substance to keep her going.
Astrid set down the cheese tray on the white counter, so I did the same with the wine before we ventured deeper into her home. Stumbling through the tidy area, I knew she'd let the cleaning lady come in to handle that part, so she had some interaction. Astrid took the lead, trying to find our friend. "Kasey?"
Peering into the spare rooms, we saw the main bathroom had been left open with nothing inside. Heading for the master, we silently agreed to enter together. After calling out her name a few times, she’d know we were here, or she fell asleep. Diving into her private quarters, we heard some sniffling coming from her bathroom. Letting our feet lead, it felt like a punch to the gut to hear her crying. I hated it, and I wanted to burn the world down on her behalf. Our friendship worked like that.
"Kase?" I poked my head into the bathroom, uncaring what her state of undress might be. Luckily, she wore a silk nightie, but that didn't relieve me the moment I saw what her slender hand clutched. Gasping, I covered my mouth in sheer shock as her red, swollen eyes helplessly blinked upward at me.
"I'm pregnant." Kasey lost it to the hysterics of her circumstance.
Diving, I landed right beside her and let her fall against me. Holding her, Kasey cried in wails as she came to terms with what all this meant. Given the timeline, I knew exactly whose baby sat in her womb because she’d only been with one person during her conception.
“I’m right here for whatever you need. I’ll even come over for night shifts with the baby if that’s what you want. If you want to terminate it, I’ll go in with you for that too.” Making sure I covered every avenue of support, Astrid nodded in agreement.
“It’s his. The baby’s Rocco’s.” Her hand landed on her flat stomach, too early to show. “I’m keeping it.”
A small amount of joy blossomed from the sadness. He’d given her life in his death, but he’d miss it all. Holding her, I also stared blankly ahead because I remembered what Costas told me about whores who conceived an heir. The families wanted the child with them, but only Ricardo remained in Rocco’s house. Would he want an heir, or would he kill her for having one? To this, I knew only time would tell. For now, I held my best friend and comforted her.
