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“Yes, conversation.”
I nod and sit down on the chair next to her bed.
“I’m sorry about breaking down on you. I know you’ve been through a lot recently, but you’re the only one who can understand my pain and loss. And I couldn’t cry with Beckett.” It’s clear that Beckett has shared some of my past with her if she thinks that.
“Why not?” I ask.
“I don’t want Beckett to see how much this hurts me. I don’t want him to blame himself. And if I started crying with him, I probably wouldn’t stop.”
“You should show him how you’re feeling. He needs to cry too.”
“He did, but I couldn’t,” she says.
I close my mouth, knowing it’s not my place to give her advice. She loves Beckett, and they each have to mourn in different ways, but I just hope they don’t drift apart. Their love for each other is strong, but even the best relationships struggle to handle a loss like this. Especially when it wasn’t just chance that took their baby from them.
We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes. “The others are anxious to see you. Hayes can cheer you up, and Gage would be happy to share intel when you’re ready to hear it. And I’m sure Beckett is anxious to come check on you.”
Ri’s eyes glaze over. “I know.”
“You can talk to me about anything.”
“So can you.”
“I don’t want to burden you with anything.”
“Ask me—ask me how I feel about Rialta. Ask me how I’d vote. Don’t wait any longer. I know you think you have time, and that my grief is more important than going after Rialta, but it’s not. Ask me. I’m not fragile. I won’t break. I’m the same woman I’ve always been. I’m strong—I’ll recover from this. And so will you. Ask me.”
I swallow hard, not sure I’m ready. Maybe that’s why I haven’t asked because I’m afraid of the answer. I’m terrified that Rialta really is the enemy. I’m scared shitless that I’m going to have to hunt her down and kill her for what she did to Ri.
“Is Rialta the love of my life or my enemy?”
Chapter 21
Rialta
Vincent’s office makes up the entire basement of the safe house. There are no windows, just bulletproof walls and a single door to enter and exit. Half a dozen guards are stationed outside the door. It’s the safest place he can be. The room used to serve as just a safe bunker where he could meet with his men, but after he was shot, a bed, kitchenette, and basic necessities were moved down here to make him more comfortable.
I enter with Andrea by my side. I called him as soon as I found out Vincent was shot. I knew I’d need him to help me handle Vincent and the men until he woke back up. He’s been unconscious for three days. Today is the first day he’s been awake, and of course, he’s choosing to sit in his leather executive chair behind his desk.
“You should be in bed,” I say as I walk down the stairs.
“There is too much to be done to sleep,” Vincent says.
I let go of Andrea’s arm and walk over to Vincent, kissing him on the cheek. “It’s good to see you up. You gave us all quite a scare.”
Vincent’s silent as he looks from me to Andrea.
“It’s good to see you doing so well. I’ve been doing my best to keep everything going in the meantime. And everything points to this attack being The Abyss,” Andrea says.
“The Abyss?” Vincent asks.
Andrea nods. “Yes, sir. It’s the name we’ve come up with in connection to the man who has been taking out everyone in your family.”
Vincent narrows his eyes at Andrea. I’m not sure if he likes him or hates him, but he’s one of his men. So Vincent respects him as one of his minions over which he has absolute power.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, trying to draw the focus back to what’s important. I’m not sure if Vincent is going to thank Andrea for the information or try to fight him for coming here with his daughter like I’m already his.
“Good as ever.”
