I try to steady my breathing as I say, “Turn myself in. Tell the police the truth. The only reason my mom’s in prison is because of my testimony. So if I go to the police and tell them what really happened—”
“Would they believe you?” Callum interrupts.
I shrug helplessly. “Maybe they would now. After he shot me.”
“True,” Zephyr says quietly.
“Do you want to go to jail, Tiger?” Jax asks.
The question hits me hard, and I start crying again. I shake my head. “No.”
Jax says, “Then don’t go to the police.”
“What if he gets away with it again?” My voice breaks. “I feel like I have to. It’s been eating at me for six years.” I point at my chest as more tears fall. “I put my mom in prison. I thought I was protecting her, but I wasn’t. And I haven’t been able to tell her how sorry I am. I’m so fucking sorry for what I did.”
Jax takes my hand from Zephyr and holds it between both of his. “Tiger, you almost just died. You were shot. You need to be taking it easy right now.”
I nod. I wipe the tears from my face and let out a shaky breath. “I know. I know… I just… I’ve never been able to tell anyone any of this. And it feels good to know that I’m not crazy.”
“You’re not crazy,” Zephyr says firmly.
“You’re not,” Callum adds.
I nod and look at all three of them. “I don’t actually want to stay here. At this house. I’m just scared of needing you guys too much.”
Jax leans in and kisses my lips. I forget to breathe for a moment. He pulls back, leaning his forehead on mine as he says, “We’re not going anywhere.”
Callum rubs my back. “We’ll always be here.”
Zephyr rests his hand on my knee as he says, “Always.”
About two hours later, all three vehicles are full of my things.
We packed everything I own. Everything that would be meaningful to Zinnia. Clothes and books and photos and the stuffed elephant she’s slept with since she was born.
I put the court documents back in Damien’s room where I found them. Right back in the file cabinet. Right back in the folder labeled “Laura—Case Closed.”
I take one last look around his room and wonder if there’s anything else that would be useful for me or Zinnia.
I find my mom’s wedding ring to my biological dad in a jewelry box buried in his closet. The band is thin and silver. Simple. I slip it into my pocket.
I find Zinnia’s important documents in another file. Birth certificate. Social security card. Medical records. I take all of it.
And when I’m gathering those papers, I come across his bank account information.
There’s a statement showing monthly payments to UCLA. Tuition. Books. Fees.
He has a credit card under my name making the payments automatically.
I stare at it for a long moment.
Then I leave it exactly where I found it.
Fucking asshole.
On the way to Jax and Zephyr’s house, I feel something I haven’t felt in years.
Relief.
