Neither of the guys looks thrilled, but I’m not going to budge. We’ve only been seeing each other for a little over a month. It’s far too early to move in together.
“More importantly,” I say in the world’s least graceful segue, “Seth, did you find your parents?”
He nods. “They’re safe. The police are looking for the guy behind this whole thing.”
I sag against Damiano, relieved. “And they’re okay?”
“No major injuries that the EMTs could find. They’re a little dehydrated. But they went to the hospital for thorough check-ups.”
“Up you go, bella.” Damiano lifts me in his arms.
“Up to where? Where are you taking me?” I gaze at his handsome, stern expression, those beautiful brown eyes.
“To bed.” He hesitates at the base of the stairs. “I’m being heavy-handed again, aren’t I?”
“You are.” I wrap my arms around his shoulders to make carrying me easier. “But go ahead. I’d love to go to bed with you both.”
My bed is barely big enough for three people to sleep comfortably, but it’s okay because we don’t sleep much, anyway.
SETH
I’m shocked when my phone lights up, showing a call from my mother. I’m tempted to let it go to voicemail, but then I’ll just be wondering what she wants, and putting off a call back. Better to get it over with now. I answer the phone and spin my chair around so I can stare out my office window. This first week of November is so far nothing but cloudy gray. It’s stifling, but a part of me is enjoys the break from our usually relentless sunshine.
“Seth.” My mother pauses. “You answered.”
“Of course. Is everything okay?”
“I wanted to invite you to brunch. With your father and me. I, well, I want us to be a family.”
So she is making an effort. And she sounds nervous, uncertain. She doesn’t know how I’ll react to this olive branch, because she doesn’t really know me. She never cared to try to get to know me.
I push aside the bitterness. “Sure, I’d love to. When?”
“How about Saturday?”
“Sounds good. How are you and Dad holding up?”
The hospital kept them overnight, mostly to make sure they rehydrated and didn’t have any hidden injuries. But I oversaw their discharge yesterday and drove them back to their house.
“We’re both fine, thank you.” She’s almost stiflingly polite.
“No, truly, I’m asking because I want to know,” I say.
She clears her throat, uncomfortable. “We’re tired. Your father is sleeping a lot. I’m not sleeping at all.”
I wish Erich Pointer had been at that office building. I wish I’d been able to take him down and personally ensure he never has a chance to hurt people again.
To cover my rage, I ask, “Did the police find your car?”
“No, they think it’s gone forever. It’s all right. I’ve been wanting a new one. Something with better gas mileage, or electric.” She clears her throat again. “It’s, um, it’s been a while since we talked. Really talked.”
“Yeah.” I haven’t called them, but the phone works both ways, so I won’t accept all the responsibility.
“What have you been up to? This business you started, Nove International Operations—it’s doing well?” She laughs a little. “It’s doing well enough to make enemies, I guess.”
“Yes, it’s doing great. I really enjoy the work.”
“Good. That’s great, actually. And how about your—your personal life? Are you happy? Are you seeing someone?”
