“I’m in here!” I shout out in a voice strangled by pain.
My bitch captor breaks from her protective huddle and comes running back toward me, her heels clicking across the concrete a mile a minute.
“Remember what I promised,” she says with bloodshot eyes. “Your family will never be safe.”
I don’t expect what comes next.
Her tightly pulled eyes are clouded with smoke and crazed revenge. She doesn’t care that this may literally be her last breath. She shoots me at close range and right in my gut, smiling the entire time she pulls the trigger.
This is her avenging and protecting her son because that’s what family does. And as I feel myself slipping out of consciousness, I vow to myself that I will not die on this cold-ass floor for the same reason.
Before today, I lived my life like death was never a possibility. I was so preoccupied with being right that I lost sight of what truly mattered. Elizabeth and Knox are my entire universe, and I will ruthlessly fight to protect my moon and star.
That is my one job.
To fight for them.
That’s why I refuse to die today.
If only I could keep my goddamn eyes open.
17
ELIZABETH
During the first fifteen minutes of being in the president of Cabot University’s office, I can tell that the man is seriously considering whether or not I’ve been a victim of domestic violence because of how our last call ended. To be fair, I am being rather quiet and tentative but not for the reasons he is thinking.
My emotions are a brew of anger and anxiety. Roman decided to spend the majority of the night out without as much as a text to let me know what his plans were or to check in on his son. I’m not surprised. He’s been spending more time at the club or at Joseph’s or wherever the hell else he goes, which is why I’ve made the executive decision to take my trip to Cabot.
So far this visit has been full of surface pleasantries, tea service and a tour of the university but I can tell that Jacob’s eyes are filled with pity. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to check me for bruises and refer me to a good therapist, but gratefully he keeps our conversation light and totally on topic so I roll with it.
“Cabot is a gorgeous campus and it’s so great that they have online access to a lot of Penn’s courses,” I admire.
“Yes, our students are getting an Ivy League education at a fraction of the cost.”
“I love that.”
“But even that cost is a burden for many students, which is where your app comes in.”
“Exactly,” I add. “College should be affordable for everyone who wants to attend.”
We walk up a wooded trail behind one of the field hockey fields. I didn’t realize just how out of shape I’ve become. I guess sitting at a computer all day is the new bacon. Jacob doesn’t acknowledge the embarrassing fact that I’ve become winded, but he conveniently stops and points out a few of the buildings on campus to give me a chance to catch my breath.
“And this is Berger Hall. It’s the student activity center and main dining hall.”
“Burger hall?” I chuckle. “That’s cute.”
“Berger with an E, not a U.” Jacob smiles. “Mr. Ronald Berger donated five million dollars to the university upon his death. Part of the land the university sits on was donated by his family in the 1940s.”
“Wow.” I feel a little embarrassed that I didn’t do my homework and know that already.
My cell phone dings with a missed call from my friend Patricia. She called me yesterday as well, but I truly feel that Roman and I did all we could do for her. At this point, all she could want is more money, which is a favor I’m not doing a second time.
I place my phone’s ringer on silent and slide it inside my purse as we start walking again. I ask Jacob something that’s been on my mind since I arrived.
“If you were to do things all over again, Jacob, would you have attended an Ivy League college?”
“Why do you ask?”
