“Felix… I… You don’t know how much I… What I’m trying to say is—” I’m choked up. The right words won’t find me.
He grins. “The house always wins.”
I smile too. We have an understanding. “Except when we play.”
That simple yet meaningful phrase says everything I’m struggling to express.
“What’s the latest update on Quentin Ferguson?” I ask as Felix tapes the gauze to my abdomen.
“I’m ninety-nine percent certain he’s dead. His car exploded right after you were shot.”
I stare blankly at the far wall, my brows rising with shock. For eight goddamn years, I’ve been plagued with the secret of Paul Ferguson’s murder. I’ve been out of my mind with panic since learning his brother held Harper at gunpoint and was on a mission to kill not only her but my family. Now Felix is telling me this nightmare could all be over.
“As for that one percent? What if he wasn’t the one driving?” I ask.
“Theo and my men are digging deeper to be certain of his death. But Harper is safe. We’re all safe. Your job is to relax and recover.”
“It might take me some time to learn how to stopworrying about the Fergusons. They’ve been a massive source of stress for so long.”
“I’m taking care of everything.”
Whatever he means by that, I trust him.
With my free hand, I stroke Harper’s cheek, watching her as she sleeps peacefully in my arms. “Beautiful angel.”
Felix laughs. “This beautiful angel stabbed Ferguson’s hand when he pulled a gun on us. Did she tell you that? She enjoyed making him bleed. She’s vicious when provoked over you and me.”
My hand pauses on Harper’s cheek, surprised for a moment. Then I laugh. “For someone who looks so innocent and delicate, she really has the world fooled.”
Felix rises from his chair, having finished dressing my wound. “I should let you rest.”
“Wait. There’s one last thing I need to say before this moment is gone.”
“Whatever it is, bro, it’s fine.”
“I need you to hear this. Ever since the night we discovered Paul’s death, I feel like my life was stolen from me. I was forced down so many paths, none of which I wanted to take. I never wanted to lie to Harper about you. The last thing I wanted was to take her from you. She was so young and scared, filled with shame for being pregnant. I thought marriage was the best way to take care of her. I’m sorry, man. I screwed up.”
Felix pats my shoulder. “You don’t need to apologize. You’ve done it enough over the years. I know you’re sorry. Even though I didn’t agree with your logic, you were trying to protect everyone. I’m sorry it’s taken methis long to forgive you. I’m sorry I was an asshole about everything. I fucked up by killing Paul. But we finally have the life back that should have always been ours.”
I nod. “So, what happens next?”
“You let me and Harper take care of you while you’re injured. You stay here with us, where you belong.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
TYLER
Two weeks pass like a fever dream—a hazy blur of sleep, medication, and healing. Two weeks of Harper catering to my every need and always changing my bandages with the utmost care. Two weeks of Felix treating me not just like a brother, but the friends we used to be.
I’m eating properly again, able to walk and move about, albeit with caution. I spend most of my time in the private living quarters of The Scarlet Mirage. The speakeasy is open for business each night and it’s a comfort to hear live jazz through the walls. Occasionally, I visit the entertainment area with Harper and Felix, but I’m too weak to stay for long.
The glimpses I do see of the speakeasy are eye-opening. I always knew this place was illegal; what I didn’t understand was the structure behind it. Most of the workers here aren’t normal staff. They’re an organization of corrupt men who look up to Felix. If he saysjump, they jump. I hear he had Theo kill Harper’s rabid fan for attacking her. I should be shocked but I’m not.
As kids, Felix said he wanted to live a life of decadence and sin. He always had a fascination with movies set in the 1920s featuring gangsters. I was with him when he got his first tattoo at seventeen—a saying from the Mafia he decided would become his life’s motto.I’d rather be lucky than good.
He’s living that life now. Harper is embracing the lifestyle too. I know it’s because of how crazy in love she is with Felix. She’ll unleash the darkest parts of herself if it means being with him.
All throughout her childhood, she tried to resist temptation and be a girl with pure values. But she shines brightest when giving in to sin. It’s when she’s most truthfully herself.
