∞
Night settles outside the windows, and with Monica and Tyson gone for the day, a familiar alertness crawls up my spine. Time to be vigilant.
I kneel behind the counter, press my fingers to the safe, and wait for the softdingas it unlocks. I check the Glock’s magazine, flick the safety on, and slide it beneath the counter—close enough to grab in a heartbeat.
A burst of laughter drifts in as the bell above the door jingles.
“You’re back,” I say, straightening.
“Yes, I couldn’t leave my goodies,” Laura chirps.
I glance at the man standing next to her, black khakis, black Henley, and a navy pea coat. His hair is neatly combed, but the beard is definitely out of place. He’s completely unlike anyone from her polished circle.
She lightly touches his arm. “I brought my boyfriend to carry my bags.”
“Smart move,” I laugh.
He barely twitches a smile. The tiny hairs on my arms rise in warning.
I meet his dark brown eyes. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“That’s because I didn’t give it,” he snaps.
Laura gasps. “Excuse my boyfriend, Meridea. Midas isn’t a people person.”
“I know what it’s like to love a brooding man,” I bite out. “But my husband isn’t rude.”
She elbows him. “Don’t be rude. Our fathers go way back.”
A buried memory flickers—her father stepping into my dad’s office, heated voices behind the closed door. I didn’t listento their conversation because Daddy always said it wasn’t nice to eavesdrop.
“You’re right, Laura. I’d forgotten about that.”
“How are your parents?” I ask.
“Wonderful. Daddy opened his own firm nine years ago—booming business. And Mom… well, she loves her charity galas. Raising money for the poor.” Her sugary Southern accent thickens.
My stomach knots.Did her father have anything to do with Dad’s death?
No. He couldn’t have. Could he?
She continues, voice sweet as poison. “I see you landed on your feet. Did Mrs. Spencer? Mother said she begged her for money. Claimed Father owed her.”
My hands go clammy. My breath stutters.
Mom swore drugs were behind Dad’s death. She refused to tell me more. Tried to protect me. But Laura’s words feel like a door cracking open. Now it’s time I pry.
“My mother said your father stole from mine,” I add lightly.
Next to her, Midas moves toward the door and locks it.
Fear slices through me.
Shit. I’m alone with them.
Laura’s eyes harden. “Your father was weak. He couldn’t see my father’s vision. So he had to go.”
Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I don’t let a single one fall.
