Knox’s phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket, looks at the screen, then places it on the side table. “Who is it?”
“My uncle. I presume Audrey has called the family lawyer to represent her. I’m sure my uncle wants to know everything.”
“Aren’t you going to answer it?”
“I’ll talk to him when we wake up.” He kicks his shoes off and shuffles in next to me. He folds his arm over me, pulls my back flush against him, and covers my hand with his. “All I need now is you.”
“You have me.”
Forever...I have nothing to run from anymore. My life is here with Knox, Kane, Avyanna, and my parents. Soon we’ll be faced with the heartbreaking duty of informing my parents about the tragic events that unfolded.
Twenty-One
Until We Meet Again
Zara
Two weeks have passedsince that night. We’ve given our statements to the police. Audrey is in jail being held without bail. Her security guard provided details of the kidnapping and confirmed Audrey’s story for a lesser sentence.
I rub my leg, anxiousness taking hold. Kane is pacing in front of me, wearing marks into the carpet. Mom has a blank stare. She was always the one who had hope, even when I told her that Audrey said Misty had passed away. Mom refused to accept it.
There’s a knock on the door. Knox goes to stand, but his dad, David, puts his hand out to stop him and stands instead. “No, son, I’ll get it. You stay with Zara.”
I give him a sad smile. He’s been visiting all of us most days. I see the heavy burden that Audrey’s actions have placed on all the men in the Hart family.
Officer Parker walks in with David. Kane halts when he sees him, and Parker gives us a tight smile.
“Well?” Kane asks, cutting to the chase.
Parker holds my stare as he brings his hand out to me and places a necklace into my palm, the best friend one Misty and I shared. A painful scream tears from Mom’s throat. Dad is by her side, holding her.
“No... no... no. Not my baby,” she sobs.
Knox wraps me in his arms.
“We found this with the body. Do you recognize it?” Parker asks.
I nod briefly, unable to talk because of the constriction in my throat.
“What is it?” Kane asks.
I clear my throat and show him the necklace. “It was hers,” I whisper. I bring hers against my own, showing how the two parts link to form a single heart.
Kane’s body droops as he sits back down, his head in his hands. David squeezes Kane’s shoulders as tears fall down his face.
“We’ll confirm her identity with you once the DNA results come in.”
“Thank you.” Knox speaks for all of us.
“It’s okay. I can see myself out.”
“Has there been an update about the charges laid against Audrey?” I ask Parker before he leaves.
“There’s a strong legal case. She’s facing charges for murder, kidnapping, and the imprisonment of Avyanna.”
So she should.
“Thank you.”
