“I feel…not better…that’s not the right word. Lighter, maybe?”
“That’s a good way to describe it. Too often, victims carry the weight of shame when it isn’t theirs to carry.”
I know. I mean, I get it, but it’s never that easy. I look over at Legs as she dries her eyes before leaning over and kissing me.
“I’m proud of you. I know this was hard, but you did it anyway. You slayed some demons today, baby.”
I grin, tugging her closer for a kiss. “I did, didn’t I?”
“Okay, well, I want you both to take it easy over the next day or so. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, therapy can be exhausting. Be kind to yourself so you don’t back slide. Hazel, I’ll see you next week.” She smiles at Legs, who nods.
Legs opted to come to her sessions alone and fill me in on parts of it afterward. I can’t be mad about it because her argument was valid. If I had to sit and listen to what happened to her, I’d lose my mind and destroy the place. I can’t control that reaction any more than I can control the weather. The last thing I want is for her session to become about me. So I wait outside with tissues and hugs and get comfort food from the drive-thru on the way home.
“There’s something I need to do later. I’m going to take you to the clubhouse so you can spend some time with the girls. Don’t eat anything you don’t make yourself.”
“I know. I won’t, I promise.”
I know I’m paranoid, but I’m not risking them. Tina is slowly recovering, but we’re still no closer to figuring out who’s behind the attacks.
I walk her in and leave her showing off pictures of the baby as I head back to the truck. Kruger follows me out and slips off his cut before hopping into the driver’s seat.
“I need to do this alone.”
“Tough.”
“Dammit, Kruger.”
He leans back and ignores me, so I curse and pull out. “You know where she is?”
“She’s staying at one of the cottages on her father’s property a couple of hours away.”
“Alright, point me in the right direction. And when we get there, stay in the truck. I don’t want this getting any more fucked than it already is.”
He grinds his jaw but says nothing, only speaking to give directions. When we arrive, I park on the road and sneak onto the property. I look around for cameras but don’t find any. I keep going, marveling at the shit security this place has. Mind you, this isn’t a compound. It’s a home, and not everyone has to worry about the shit we do. I find the cottage Kruger is talking about and knock, stepping back so she can see me clearly. I’m taking a risk doing this because she could just as easily call the police on me.
The door cracks open, revealing a tired-looking Del. She’s still bruised in places, the horrible yellowing color they turn right before they fade. It’s been over a month now, it shows just how bad that beating was.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I have something for you.”
“I don’t want anything from you.” She’s about to slam the door, but I shove my foot in it. She scrambles back, fear in her eyes.
I hold my hands up, showing her that I mean no harm to her. “I’m not here to hurt you, Delphi. I know you’ve got no reason to believe me, but it’s true. I came to apologize and to make amends.”
She opens her mouth before snapping it shut again. I reach into my cut and pull out two envelopes. I hold out the first one for her. She looks at me as if I’ve dipped it in acid, but eventuallyshe takes it. I stay clear as she opens it and pulls out two of the photos of the baby. Her hand covers her mouth as she gasps.
“Legs said you’re number one auntie, so we thought you should know first that we’re having a girl.” I swallow and grin. “I’m having a daughter.” I still can’t get my head around it. I’m half terrified, half elated.
I hold out the second envelope. “This is from me, not Legs. I did you dirty. This is what I owe you. Part of it anyway.”
She tears her eyes away from the photos and takes the envelope. She looks at me with tears in her eyes before coughing to clear her throat. She reaches inside and pulls out the papers with a frown, scanning over them before his gaze snaps to mine.
“You’re giving me Au?”
“It’s owed to you, Delphi. I might not have burned your business down, but it’s possible someone followed me there and did. I know it’s not enough, but it’s a start. We live above the shop right now, but the apartment is included. I’m moving Legs into our new place this week, so any time after that its yours free and clear.”
She looks dumbfounded. Her mouth opens and closes in shock.
