“Yeah, well, revenge is starting to feel like it’s not as important as it once was.” I glance at Hattie’s empty side of the bed. “Though I’ll admit it was satisfying to see the look of shock on Carla’s face when she realized I was her son. Even better when I saw the shame. But the look on Hattie’s face…”
“So, what are you going to do to fix it?”
“I don’t know yet.” The pain in my chest intensifies, and I rub at it with the heel of my hand.
“Well, figure it out and then do it.”
I roll my eyes. I wish it were that easy. Maybe when you’re a billionaire it is, and that’s why he sounds so sure.
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I know you’re not calling to console my heartbreak.” I yank the covers off me and slide out of bed to trudge to the kitchen to get some water, cringing every time my head jostles.
“No, it’s not. Ari mentioned that you want me to put you in contact with a certain family. I wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into before I did that. My influence only goes so far, and if you fuck them over, I won’t be able to help you.”
“I have no intention of fucking anyone over. I just need some talented people who can keep their mouths shut, that’s all.” Iplan on delivering vengeance to Sean’s doorstep and whoever else helped him burn down my club.
“All right then, I’ll text it over to you. Tell them I referred you.”
I reach the fridge and open it, taking out a cold bottle of water. “Will do. I appreciate it, Obsidian. I owe you one.”
“Just figure your shit out. Your sister is miserable when you’re miserable, and that in turn makes my life miserable.”
I chuckle as I twist the cap off the bottle of water. “Deal.”
“All right, talk soon.” He ends the call.
I guzzle back as much water as I can stomach.
Obsidian’s right, though—I need to figure out my shit and put a plan in place. First thing I need to deal with is Sean and eliminate that threat. Then I can focus on what I need to do to win Hattie back and get her back here. Unfortunately, it’ll take more than an apology. She’s going to need to accept that the woman who raised her in the perfect home is the same woman who neglected and damaged me. Right now, that feels like an impossible feat.
My phone dings with a text, and I see it’s the contact information for the Vitale family from Obsidian.
With a resigned sigh, I make the call.
***
A couple of days later, I had my meeting with the representative from the Vitale family. I told them what I needed, we negotiated a price, and then I handed over the information they’d need to make it happen.
I had the Uber drop me off outside the scorched remains of the club, though I don’t know why. To torture myself a little more maybe. Looking at the charred black structure—or what’s left of it anyway—feels like a visual representation of my insides.
I was so sure of myself when I set off on this course, but Hattie wasn’t who I thought she was, wasn’twhatI thought she was—the representation of a child my mother could love. As a little boy, I always questioned why I wasn’t enough for my mom. Why she couldn’t leave the drugs and alcohol behind and be the mother I needed, the kind of mother everyone else got to have.
Now I’m knee-deep in shit, and I’m not sure how to get out of it. How to make Hattie see that my feelings for her are real and have been for some time. I didn’t tell her all of this because I wanted to protect her. Even if she believes me, I question whether the truth will be enough. A part of me thinks that the only way I can ever be with Hattie is if I can make amends with my mother.
But the idea of forgiving her… telling her that it’s okay what happened to me…
I shove my hands in my pockets and squeeze my eyes shut before turning and walking back to my condo. Now that things with the Vitale family are in motion, I need to figure out how to win Hattie back.
I’ve faced many obstacles in my life, but something tells me this one will be the most difficult.
48
HATTIE
To say the past week has been hell is an understatement. I’ve leaned into my faith, trying to keep in mind that God has a plan, but it doesn’t help with the anxiety. Everything is made worse by the fact that Bastion isn’t by my side. It wasn’t until he was gone that I realized how much I relied on him for support.
Taylor has been there, we’ve talked on the phone almost every day, but it’s not the same.
The pain of Bastion’s betrayal still stings—like flesh that’s been burned and is healing. But at the same time, I can understand why he was so vengeful. When I think back to what he told me about his time with his mother… my mother… I can’t imagine the kind of scars that leaves on a person. Of course he hates her. Of course he wants to make her pay. And of course when he saw me and my relationship with my mom, it must have been like salt in a reopened wound.
