She blinks furiously. “I did, dear,” Audrey replies.
“Did you get to meet your mom?” I ask Avyanna.
She shakes her head and frowns. “Nanny said she went to heaven when I was a baby.”
My heart splinters at her words, and it takes everything in me to contain myself and not lash out at Audrey. She stole so many moments from everyone. “I knew your mother. She was my best friend, and my sister.”
Avyanna’s eyes widen. “What was she like?”
“She would have been an exceptional mother to you. I’m sorry you didn’t get to spend time with her. She looked out for me, and I always envied how strong she was.” I grab a lock of Avyanna’s hair and twist it between my fingers. “And you look just like her, but you have your dad’s eyes.”
“I’m going to call Parker,” Knox says to me, then peers at Audrey. “Say your goodbyes now.”
Audrey makes her way to Avyanna while Kane glowers at her. She bends down, grabbing Avyanna’s hands. “I’ve got to go away for a while, so you’re going to stay with your dad.”
She frowns. “How long are you going away for?”
She sniffles, and when I glance at Audrey, she’s crying. “I’m not too sure yet. But I will see you. Now you better go with your dad so you can get your bags packed.”
Knox walks back. “The police are on their way.”
“Show me to your room?” Kane asks Avyanna. She puts her hand in his and they wander down the hallway.
Knox lifts his walkie-talkie to his mouth. “Hey, you still there?”
“Yeah, man,” Twitch replies.
“Police are on their way. You and Reaper get out of here, but pick us up in about half an hour. I don’t want any of you here when the cops get here.”
“Downstairs, now,” Knox says to Audrey.
He follows closely behind her through the hallway and down the stairs and out the front door. Police sirens wail.
“This will be the last freedom you will have for a while,” says Knox.
“I didn’t mean to kill Misty. You have to believe me.”
Knox chuckles darkly. “You were so obsessed with your image that you jeopardized any chance for Avyanna to have a mother in her life, and you’ve selfishly taken all those years away from your own son.”
Blue-and-red lights flicker, and I watch as a sedan and two cop cars make their way to the mansion.
Dread slithers up, gripping my throat. I grab Audrey’s arm. “Where’s Misty buried?”
“There’s a plaque in the backyard with her name on it. It’s surrounded by flowers. Exactly the way Avyanna wanted it.”
“We’re ready!” I drop my arm and peek over Audrey’s shoulder to see Kane and Avyanna walking toward us. With one hand Kane’s dragging a large hot-pink suitcase with a large tote bag on top. He’s holding Avyanna’s hand with the other.
After talking to the police,we drop Kane and Avyanna off at Kane’s house. As much as I want to spend time with her, the sun would be up soon and she should stay with Kane.
When we walk inside the clubhouse, all the men are awake and seated at the bar. Everyone stops talking and all eyes are on us, but it’s me who speaks. “I’d like to thank everyone again. With your help, we could find answers that have been haunting our families for over ten years.” There’s a round of cheers and claps. “I’m both happy and sad to report that my sister had passed away, but her daughter Avyanna is alive and well and is with her father, Kane, now.”
There are gasps and a mix of feelings on everyone’s faces.
I peer back at Knox. “I’m going to go to bed. I’m exhausted. You can stay up with the men.”
He shakes his head and links our fingers together. “I’m coming with you.”
“Night, everyone,” Knox calls out. Hand in hand, we go up the stairs and to Knox’s room. Once inside, I pull the comforter back and sit on the edge of the bed. I take my sneakers off, then lie down.
