She shakes her head.
I caress the top of her head “Talk to me, Goldilocks.”
“It’s Harley.” Her words are like a slap across the face.
I suck in a sharp breath. “All right,Harley, since yesterday, I haven’t been able to pull out more than a handful of words from you.”
She closes her eyes.
If she thinks that’s enough to deter me, she has another think coming.“I already told you, if a member of your family was a victim of a scam, I can help. There are benefits to having a grandmother who was a former police chief and holding an annual charity for the NYPD. You don’t have to be ashamed.”
No reaction.
I let out a long breath. “You can’t keep having nightmares every night, crying, yelling, thrashing in bed. You don’t have to go at this alone. Joe didn’t know who to turn to. That’s why he kept quiet, too embarrassed to let anyone in. You have me in your corner. I have your back. Just talk to me. Please.”
She flips around and pulls the sheet over her head.
She might as well have flipped me the middle finger.
Conversation over.
Fuck.
Chapter 52
Fucking Caveman
Harley
I’m surprised the toil of emotions of the last two days still rolling through me hasn’t burst out of my mere mortal flesh. The secret I’ve been so desperately trying to keep, found its way to Kaz’s front door.
That’s what you get for gaslighting yourself into thinking you can outrun your DNA.
Kaz’s heels echoing on the cement floor, pull me out of my rumination.
The distinctive notes of his cologne float in the room as he comes to stand in front of me.
I keep my eyes trained on the wall, but from my peripheral vision, I spot navy-blue pants.
He isn’t wearing his gray sweatpants.
He sits at the edge of the bed.
I chance a glance his way.
He offers a warm smile.
The tense lines around his blue eyes suggest he hasn’t been sleeping much.
It’s all my fault.
I tuck my trembling hands between my legs.
Underneath my ribs, my heart is a knotted mess. Just like my life.
He strokes my hair for a few beats.
I’ll miss how my blood hums when he touches me.
