“Dr. Mayes likes to meet our family and friends,” she went on. “It’s not that bad. Wyatt’s met her.”
“Fuck that,” Zevon said. “I’ll stay put right here, thank you very much.”
“It’s not really all that bad,” I said, suppressing my eyeroll. “But I won’t make you go.”
“Good,” he said with a determined nod of his head. “I’m sure one of the bodyguards Ace has following you will keep you safe.”
I knew my grandfather had people following me, and today was going to be one of those days where they would be seen. I was glad that Ace sent Wyatt though, instead of a stranger, to my recuse. I wouldn’t have followed orders if some nameless man demanded to leave Sean’s place without explanation.
“Well, then who will walk me to my appointment?” I fake pouted around my mug.
“Wh-what?” Zevon asked, his eyes widening.
Sawyer laughed the kind of laugh that came from her gut. I couldn’t help but crack and began to giggle at his look.
“We’re good, Zevon. Don’t worry about it. I make my way there just fine twice a week, plus to the group sessions without getting lost. I’m a big girl.”
“You two are so not good for me,” Zevon said with a shake of his head. Then, he lifted his head to meet my gaze. “Your brother is not gonna approve of this.”
“Of what?”
“You two. You’re going to find way too much trouble.”
“I can’t deny that,” Sawyer laughed. “I can’t wait to meet this brother of yours, Scarlett.”
“Yeah, I think I can wait for that meeting,” I said, standing and pushing my chair in. “I have a feeling the two of you won’t be hitting it off well.”
“Why’s that?” Zevon asked, tilting his head to the side.
“You’ve met Peyton,” I said.
“He’d be happy you have a friend. Any of us would be. You can’t keep living without someone in your corner, you know.”
“He’ll just have to accept me for being stuck with you,” Sawyer said with a bright smile. Almost too bright. “I can be nice, you know. When I want to be.”
“So, what’s the plan for today?” Zevon asked when both Sawyer and I fell quiet.
“Do you always have to go out and do something?” I asked, looking at Zevon for a moment before beginning to take care of the dishes.
“Yes. We aren’t all antisocial here,” Sawyer said.
“Well, then I’m going out to get some snacks. Anything you two want?”
We both shook our heads.
“I do have a question,” Sawyer said once Zevon had left my apartment.
“Do I want to know?”
“Probably not,” she said, giving me a shrug. “Do you really know who the Voss family is? That they’ve been in the news a number of times for…things. Like killings, stealing, laundering weapons…”
“I’m not following…” I didn’t want to know what this family was capable of. I knew enough, and I had other things to focus on. When had she looked all this information up?
“You don’t realize that this family—even though they all seem nice, is a mafia family. They have ties to others all over the world. A simple search and so many articles have popped up. A lot of them have to do with your missing persons case.”
“What are you getting at?” I asked, confusion clouding my mind.
“Are you sure this family you look up to is really what they appear to be? What secrets are they hiding from you?”
