I couldn’t say how long I sat there by myself, waiting for her to show up, but it was a while. I’d gotten there early, so it was my fault. When someone finally sat beside me, it took me a few moments to snap back to reality and focus my gaze on my daughter, who looked incredibly uncomfortable to be here.
“I’m surprised you wanted to meet,” she said as she sat down beside me. “I thought you didn’t want us to be seen together in the city?”
“I thought a club like this would be safe.”
She rolled her eyes and huffed, “You’d be surprised.” Tessa looked so much like her mother did, although I supposed I never knew Nora when she was in her early thirties, but I imagined my daughter was a mirror image. I should’ve been proud, but instead, I only felt disappointed.
“Tessa, I need you to tell me the truth: what really happened between you and your brother?” This was her last chance. One final question, one more chance for her to tell me the truth. Thefact she’d lied about it all this time told me she knew exactly how I’d respond if I found out the truth.
My daughter groaned. “We’ve been over this again and again. How many times do I need to say it? It’s all that Laina’s fault. She’s meddlesome for a little girl.”
Perhaps it was true she blamed her, but that wasn’t the root of it. It wasn’t the full story.
“Is that your final answer? I’m not going to ask again.” My voice came out hard and firm, informing her this was no game. This was beyond serious, and if she refused to straighten up, well… I could not in good conscience continue to help her. I wouldn’t keep an eye on Laina for her, wouldn’t do what I could to distract her while she continued the other part of her two-pronged assault.
Tessa stared at me, a frown forming on her lips. “Why’d you say it like that?”
I did not say a single word in response, waiting for her to put it together. If she was so damn smart, she should be able to figure it out herself.
“You talked to Kieran,” she muttered, her frown hardening. “Of course. I should’ve known it was only a matter of time until you did. You should know he’s full of nothing but lies. You can’t trust a single word out of his mouth—”
“That’s funny, because I’m starting to feel the same way about you.”
She appeared insulted. “Excuse me?”
“I didn’t just talk to Kieran. I had a long chat with Laina, too. I heard the confession.” I pointed around. “It was done somewhere around here, wasn’t it? Believe it or not, me choosing this place to meet was accidental. I had no idea this was the club where you admitted you tried to have your brother killed.”
Tessa’s back snapped rod straight. “What you’re insinuating—”
“I’m not insinuating anything. I heard it straight from the source, you. And as for Kieran, well, you knew your brother liked her before you told him to get rid of her.”
“He should’ve picked me over her.”
“Like you did?”
She ground her jaw and narrowed her brown eyes at me. Her brown hair was pulled back in a messy pony, small wisps framing her face. “I did what I did only after he made it clear he’d choose her over me every time.”
“And do you know why that is?” I asked, waiting only a moment before I answered my own question, “She’s his family now, something you should’ve understood. If you really cared about your brother, you never would’ve asked him to do something like that.”
“He should’ve picked me. I’m his sister—”
“Thirty years ago, my parents told me to pick between them and Nora and you, and I made my decision, moved out at fifteen years old, and never looked back.”
“And look at where you are now.” Her words cut, thrown at me like knives with the intent to maim. “Alone. Maybe Kieran should’ve learned from you that blood is thicker than water.”
“I know I always preached about family being above all, but even after all this time, you don’t have it quite right.” She cocked her head at me, waiting for me to enlighten her. “And there’s more to that saying, too. The blood of the covenant is stronger than the waters of the womb. Do you know what it means? It’s the bonds you choose. They can be just as important if not more important than the ones you were born into. You should’ve known this and respected Kieran and his feelings.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “So, what? Is this you scolding me? Trying to tell me you’re disappointed in me, Dad? To do better and all that performative shit?”
“I wanted to hear the truth from you, to see if you’d admit to what you did. This isn’t me telling you I’m disappointed, it’s me telling you I’m done. I told you I would help you, but that was when I thought Kieran had turned his back on you, not the other way around.”
Tessa laughed, though the sound was ugly and bitter. “So you’re choosing Kieran’s side, then.”
“Kieran’s and Laina’s, yes.”
The look she sent me could definitely kill. “And Laina’s. Of course. This isn’t just about Kieran, is it? I should’ve known something was wrong when five months went by and you didn’t do a single thing.”
“You didn’t want me to do anything until you made a move on Vance,” I reminded her.
