“The police just let you go?” Logan asked.
“Yes, they didn’t have enough to charge me,” Nico said.
“There is no more Relizphe mob?” Harper asked.
Nico shrugged. “After your father’s brother and wife disappeared… it fizzled. What happened to your parents?”
“They died,” Harper said. “In a fire.”
She closed her eyes, shivering.
“I’m here Angel,” Logan stood, biting down on the pain, he walked behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
“I didn’t want to upset you. I just wanted to see you again. Don’t you remember when we were children and stood at the edge of the sea, skipping stones?”
“Yes,” Harper said. “How did your mother stay out of it?”
“My father took a mistress,” Nico said. “Our grandfather was still alive at the time and recognized the mistress, cast out my mother and me. We had nothing, but we got lucky.”
“You did,” Harper said bitterly. “Nico, I’m glad to hear Aunt Sophia and you are okay, but I don’t know if I can have you in my life. I’ve worked hard to put all that behind me. You’ve brought up unpleasant memories for me.”
“I understand, Alina.”
Harper flinched at hearing the name and Logan glared at Nico.
“I don’t thinkHarperwants anything to do with you right now.”
“Get lost and if you come near her again, we’ll make sure the charges stick,” Quinn said.
“Angel?” Xander asked.
Harper stared at her cousin. “I’ve worked so hard to put the past behind me, I wish you had never come.”
“I’m sorry. But you are family. Can I give you my phone number and my mother’s email in case you change your mind?”
“No, but I’ll give you my phone number and you can call in a month and see ifHarperis feeling differently,” Logan said.
Harper buried her face in Xander’s arm, the relief clear in her face. Logan understood, that if she had her aunt’s email address she’d felt pressured to use it.
Harper sighed in relief. She didn’t want her aunt’s email address. She would have felt pressured to use it.
“Where do you live here?” Quinn asked.
“I’m a student at UBC. I live near campus. Third-year, mechanical engineering,” Nico said.
“If I change my mind, I know where to find you,” Harper said.
“Okay. I’ll go now and I won’t bother you again, I promise” Nico said, his hands raised to Quinn, he backed away.
Logan sat next to Harper. She reached for Xander, and they sandwiched their girl, pouring their strength into her.
“That was hard,” she said.
“I’m so proud of you Kitten.” Logan hugged her.
“Looks like we both got rid of horrible family members,” she said.
Logan laughed and coughed and cursed because it hurt so much. “Yeah.”
