“And how does all that tie into your relationship with Kiyah?”
“I’m not conditioned to feel anything other than responsible for someone or something. And you’re right, Ki. I can’t expect you to take accountability while simultaneously denying you the opportunity to do so. I apologize, but—”
“Saying ‘but’ negates your apology,” Dr. Haynes interjected.
“In that case, I take back my apology. I’m upset because Kiyah’s trust fund is substantially larger than the rest of ours. Kierra, our mother, took the bulk of the money she won from Rory’s death and put it in the trust, along with some money from Dad—he believed in doing his part for all of his kids, and that slimy bastard doesn’t deserve a red cent of it. I know nothing can be done other than fight it in court, but I want to get this off my chest now so it doesn’t come up later. I want the issue to be dead in the water.”
“Thank you, Grant, for telling me how you feel. I’ll admit the lawsuit stings a bit, but honestly, I feel this isn’t about themoney. Todd’s just trying to gain access to me again. A lawsuit like this can be tied up in litigation for a while.”
“You’re probably right,” I admitted. “I wish you could get a restraining order against him, but he hasn’t met that threshold, or at least we can’t prove that he has.”
Dr. Haynes nodded.
“My advice to both of you is to stay vigilant and keep your eyes open. Maybe even hire private security for a little while.”
“I was considering it. Especially after Daisy and Nori’s attack,” I confessed.
“I’m all for it,” Kiyah agreed.
“Good. Lean on each other for support and be kind to one another. Same time next week?”
“Same time next week,” we agreed.
* * *
“Do you feel better?” Kiyah asked as I assisted her into the truck, setting her handbag onto her lap.
“Depends on what your definition of better is.”
“Like you don’t want to wrap your hands around my neck and choke me.”
I smirked and leaned into the truck. “There will never be a day when I won’t desire to choke you,” I whispered.
“You promise?” she asked with a teasing tilt of her lips.
I checked my watch. “We have some time to kill before we convene at the Powells’ for dinner. I can—”
I stopped speaking when movement from across the street caught my attention. A black sedan with pitch-black tint crawled by, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood.
“Grant?”
“What’s up?” I asked, temporarily distracted.
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything will be fine,” I replied, closing her door. I cursed when I scanned the street and the car had vanished. I didn’t get a chance to grab the license plate. Our therapist’s words returned.
Stay vigilant and keep your eyes open.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Thaddeus
I hit the rewind button for the millionth time and watched as Grant and Kiyah left their therapist’s office. Kiyah stepped out in a seductive red summer dress with a plunging neckline and heels that accentuated her calves. My vision tunneled as my mind did what it needed to protect my sanity and ignore how Grant pawed at her, and how she allowed it.
Rewind. Watch. Yearn. Ache.
Rewind. Watch. Yearn. Ache.
