“I did.” I dropped into the chair beside her bed.
“Thanks.”
“Why would you think I wouldn’t? After all we’ve been through, I always come through.”
“We’re divorced,” she whispered, turning her gaze down to her clasped hands over the sheets.
“I still care. Just because we’re not together anymore doesn’t mean that I want something bad to happen to you.”
Her eyes shifted to mine, and she asked, “Are you sure?”
I knew she was referring to Salvatore, but I also knew my cousin didn’t do this. He wouldn’t do anything without a direct order from me, and he wouldn’t have been caught or left evidence.
“One hundred percent. Did you tell the cops about him?”
She shook her head. “It was a woman.”
“Did you see her?”
“She was shorter than me and petite. She tried to disguise her voice, and she wore a hoodie.”
“So you didn’t get a look at her face?”
“Just like I told the police, I was too busy trying to protect mine.”
“How did you get away from her the first time?”
“Some people came out of a bar, and she ran and hid. But as I crossed to the parking lot where my car was, I heard footsteps behind me.”
“Something’s going on. I’m sorry that you got caught up in this, but I have a feeling all this shit surrounds me.”
She grew quiet again and turned her head away.
“I’m sorry too, Ashton. Maybe if I hadn’t allowed our home life to get so out of control, none of this would have happened. I should have?—”
“No, it’s not your fault. Whoever did this bullshit is going to pay. Trust me that we’re not going to sit back and watch this happen to you.”
“I was thinking that it might be a fan, but I doubt it. I feel like I knew her.”
“I don’t know who the fuck it could be, but I’ll figure it out. I promise.”
“I don’t doubt it. You’re loyal that way. Even when people don’t deserve it, you still have their back.”
“Yeah,” I replied softly.
“I’m sorry that I hurt you, Ashton.”
“I’m sorry that I didn’t protect you from my mother, Zoe. You deserved better than you got on both accounts, the abortion and the prenuptial agreement.”
“Will you ever hold her accountable or admit that she was wrong?”
I shook my head. “She couldn’t have known what would happen to you, but I still believe she did what she thought was best for both our futures.”
“You don’t regret it?”
“I regret being careless with your heart and with you. I regret that you’re hurt. But our lives have gone down vastly different paths. I’m not about to sit by and live on regrets the rest of my life.”
“Because you’ve gone on. Does she make you happy?”
