She looks so unhappy. Nothing like the woman that raised me. She looks so lost. How did she escape him?
“This is what that useless sack of meat wanted.” I look up and see a necklace in Kenji’s hands as he inspects it. “I don’t know where he got it or who he stole it from.”
“Why did she take the elephant?” My mother was careful. Why would she do something so reckless?
Kenji shrugs. “I’m not sure, but if Ivan hid this inside, I can imagine he never let it out of his sight. Maybe it was her final act of defiance. Stealing something she thought he loved. I don’t think she knew the necklace was inside.” Probably not. We didn’t grow up poor, but having that necklace would have solved a lot of financial problems.
It could have gotten her better care. We may have been able to keep her old restaurant.
He leans over and hands it to me. “What?”
“It’s yours.” He smiles. “I just wanted the elephant back.”
“I don’t want it.”
“You might not want it, but...” He looks at Katya. “She can’t stay here. That necklace is worth a lot of money. Sell it.”
Uneasy, I take the necklace from him. Confusion hits Aiden’s face. “Where are you taking her?”
“I’m not sure yet,” he says. “You live in a car, so you’re in no shape to care for her yet.”
“You live in your car?”
“I wanted to save as much money as I could.” He swallows, not looking at me. His hand keeps rubbing along Katya’s spine. It’s like he’s afraid to let her go. “I was planning on leaving with her.” His eyes sneak up to Koda’s. “I was going to escape. Ivan promised to pay me for this job if I stole the statue. He obviously wanted the necklace,” he says softly.
I feel that little tug in my chest and shut it down fast reminding myself that he hurt me. He lied to me.
“We’re giving you all a couple of weeks to figure out who’s taking her. We’ll be here until then, but we need to go back home.” Kenji looks at Koda.
“We?” Aiden looks at his brother. No, not his. My brother.
“I’m going with him,” Koda says.
That makes Aiden glare. “Are you insane?”
“Kinda.” Koda grins like the devil. “I’ve been working with him for months. When we moved back, I had Tagar set up a meeting between us. You’re not the only one who wanted to escape.” He looks at Katya. I really hope the drug wears off soon. I can’t stop looking at her.
When she came to the bakery she reminded me of Jane, and it’s now I see some resemblance. I’ve always wondered who my father was, but I could never even have begun to think it was someone like Ivan.
“I’m staying at The Charm Box with them,” Koda says.
“Don’t worry.” Kenji smiles. “I take care of my people, and Koda is a great asset. My best friend Lukas has already adopted him.”
“I’m going to be eighteen in two months. He can’t adopt me!” Koda glowers.
Kenji smiles. “Go get your friends and get out of my house. Two weeks. She’ll stay with Koda here until then.” Koda takes Katya from Aiden’s reluctant arms.
His bodyguard opens the door and I get up slowly, not waiting for Aiden, and walk down the hall. “In there,” the guard says.
I walk into the giant office andwhat the hell?
All eyes swing to me. “Um.”
“Hey, Sawyer! Doesn’t he look handsome?” I hear Aiden snort behind me. “I’m telling you all the guys are going swarm you. Watch out.” Noah pushes Tagar’s hair back a little. “If you give me time, I can bedazzle an eyepatch. Oh! Brianna, one of my very best friends, is a seamstress. Talented beyond belief. I’ll talk to her.”
“I’m straight.” He glowers.
Noah looks at him cupping his cheek. “Oh, sweetie.” He pats his head.
