The truth remained: Tulya was worsening, and I knew the two bitchiest mothers in the universe wouldn’t send help without my taking care of Valerie.
Who, ironically, was a decent mother. She didn’t want to leave her daughter to chance, the way Ezza hung Tulya out to dry.
Earlier, as Tulya slept, I watched her hand tremor. And it became clear that I had to go and fix everything. Admittedly, the feelings swelling around my heart were the reason I fled without saying good-bye—if I stayed, it would become harder to go. I wanted nothing more than to care for Tulya. Truth was, I couldn’t nurse her back to health myself.
Back in Rubia, beeping the locks on my car, I recalled the last time I’d driven to the airport with Tulya, her eyes glancingat me, wondering what was in store for us. She’d had a feeling this wouldn’t go well for her, but her own mother and the medic knew it wouldn’t. And now those fuckers were MIA.
Damn straight, I was a man of honor, and my allegiance at the moment was to Tulya.
As soon as I decided to come back, I’d called Marley, Valerie’s mom. It was a split-second decision, but I didn’t have anyone else. It was also crystal clear that neither Caro nor Prim was allowed to come help.
Marley knew what had taken place and had a vested interest in my smoothing matters over with Valerie and the powers that be in Rubia. She agreed immediately to come and watch over Tulya in exchange for information.
My hands gripped the steering wheel as I drove toward home, my heart becoming more agitated by the moment. It had snowed in Rubia, fresh white powder covering the roads, and I tried to think happy thoughts. Did Blake like seeing the snow? Had my brother taken her out to play in it?
Swerving into the driveway, I caught a glimpse of Magnum standing outside, not doing any of the above but swirling a tumbler of brown liquor.
Barely stopping before throwing the car in park in front of our family’s main house, I jumped out and stormed to where Magnum was standing.
“Asshole,” I grumbled, punching him in the chest and knocking him unsteady, the tumbler falling into the snow. “I’m back here to keep fixing all your questionable shit, and you’re out here drinking, not even being with your daughter?”
“Don, how’s Tuvy? She’s better?”
The bile rose up my throat, and I was thankful I hadn’t eaten in the last twelve hours. “No, she is not at all better. Do you see her? No. Because she is sick beyond belief, back in Florida, and not one single fucker from here will send help. Do you knowwhy? Let me tell you. Since you decided to bring Valerie back to Rubia, they will not send the medic.”
“It’s her kid—”
“Shut it,” I interrupted. “I know damn well. Of course she wanted to be here. But you couldn’t smooth shit over and call this a visit or whatever the hell you needed to do to keep her from getting on the plane. Tulya is lying there sick and alone in Miami, did you hear me?” I said the last part through gritted teeth.
“I tried to tell them it was temporary, but Mom is carrying on that nothing is temporary, following me around, watching every move I make. That’s why I’m out here having a drink that you now spilled.”
“Dude, I know you’re not stupid.” I kicked the snow, trying to find the right words. “You had an affair with a human. Then you had a baby and made promises to bring that person here. All the while, Mom promised you to Cinder, a match Dad blessed and wanted for many reasons. And now the real kicker—apparently, you carried a lot of dormant power because your half-Rubian daughter is the one to be feared the most.”
“Watch it,” he threatened.
I couldn’t help myself; I sent a zing of pain up Magnum’s spine. I needed him to own up to the absolute shitstorm he’d created.
“Don’t fight dirty,” he tossed my way.
“I’ll do what I want.”
“The hell you will—”
“Uncle Donovan!” Blake’s light and airy voice filled the air around us and Magnum abandoned his threats.
The small child ran up to me wearing the coat I’d bought her and a pair of small snow boots, Valerie following behind in jeans and a parka.
“I got to see the snow, and it’s so cold, especially on my tongue,” Blake rambled.
“It is cold, sweetie.” It was impossible not to fall for this kid. None of this was her fault. She was an innocent bystander in this mess of people. “Valerie,” I greeted her mother. “We need to talk.”
On the way back, I’d decided to make a deal with the devil in order to help Tulya.
“I’m not leaving my daughter” was her answer.
I nodded. “Let’s talk, somewhere private.”
“Not if it means your mother is watching Blake.” With venom in her dark brown eyes, I realized how poorly the last few days had gone.
