“What will you do with this information? If the Russian Mafia is involved—”
“My job. I’m going to follow any leads that put me one step closer to James’s killer. But first, I’m going to visit Derek Cain. Can you believe he’s lived right here, in Philly, all this time?”
“I don’t think that’s a wise idea. He may be James’s son, but you know nothing about the man he’s become. From what I remember, after his mom died, he went into foster care and—”
“James let that happen?” I pushed away from my father, backing up into a large built-in bookshelf. “I can’t believe that. And you knew? Fuck.”
The man I knew was a fraud and a liar. How could he have been so heartless?
My dad put both hands on his head, fingers moving over his short gray hair.
“Eva…” he sighed. “I can’t justify his actions. And I don’t know what else to say, but sometimes it’s wiser to leave certain things in the past where they belong. You just never know.”
“I can’t accept that.”
He blew out a weary breath. “Okay, I’m off tomorrow. If you’re free, we can meet him together. I don’t like the idea of you and him alone. He’s a stranger.”
“Fine,” I lied.
Pulling me to his chest, he dipped his head and dropped a kiss on my forehead. I looked up at him, chin resting over his heart, and forced a smile. If we didn’t look so much alike, I’d have doubts about whether or not he contributed half of my DNA. At six foot two, he was nearly an entire foot taller than me. Frankie had taken after him as well. I’d taken after the mother I never got to meet.
“Or I can call in, and we can pick up breakfast. How about it?”
Staring up into his soulful brown eyes, I smiled. “I already ate.”
“Of course.”
Disappointment cut across his face.
“But it’s a date tomorrow.”
“Perfect.” He smiled and pressed his lips to my forehead again before exiting the office.
Sure, I’d already eaten, but it wasn’t why I’d declined my father’s invitation. I had plans. As if drawn by a magnetic force, the address I’d scrawled on a sticky note burned a hole in my pocket.
CHAPTERTHREE
EVANGELINA
“Eva, you crazy bitch!”
My cousin’s shrill voice pierced through the speaker of my cell as I pulled into Derek Cain’s curved driveway. The property was tucked away on the outskirts of Ardmore, a secluded area surrounded by a thick hedge of trees and unmarked roads. No wonder the GPS had me driving in circles before finally leading me down the right path.
I parked the car and peered at the modern home. It was a newer construction, with smooth concrete, sleek lines, and soaring floor-to-ceiling windows making up the exterior.
While there was no mention of a family in the documents I’d received, it was a massive home for just a single man. Despite his time in the system, Derek had apparently done well for himself.
“Eva! Can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I’m here. I just pulled up.”
Alexa huffed a breath of relief. “Remind me again why you went there alone.”
“I can’t wait on my dad, Lex. I just… I have to know. I have to see him.”
There was a long stretch of silence before she responded.
“I’ve said this before, but it’s not your fault. You couldn’t have prevented what happened, and I thank God every day that you didn’t stick around for that. Stop blaming yourself.”
