“Who?”
“The investigators. Why aren’t these assets frozen?”
My brows draw down. It’s a great question—one I hadn’t considered. “If I had to guess, I’d think that the investigators didn’t see these as big-ticket items. They’re looking for Aston Martins, not something fresh from last year’s runway.” As I look around, I think that what’s in this closet has to be worth millions of dollars. But only if someone took the time to catalog all of it.
As I glance through what’s in here, I can’t find a singleitem that bears any connection to my mother at all.
It’s as I’m about to leave the closet when I hear footsteps approaching, and then my father’s figure fills the doorway. “Already ransacking for your inheritance? You should know your mother wanted each of you to have something. The lawyers will be here tomorrow after the funeral to share who is getting what.”
I hold up my empty hands. “Just keeping Ivy company and trying to find…something.” I’m not sure what. A connection. Somefeeling. I felt sad when I heard she died, the way you feel sad when you hearanyonedied. I didn’tcry. I hadn’t slept that night as I wondered about the viral video, about Archer, about Tatum, about all of it, and my eyes were red-rimmed in the morning because of it.
But I can’t seem to dredge up the sort of emotion Ishouldbe feeling over losing my mother. Maybe because I neverhadher, so it doesn’t feel much like I’velosther. I feel more upset over losing against the Fury last weekend than about being here for a funeral.
It’ll hit me eventually. Surely. I feel like a monster for even thinking that. Admitting it is a nonstarter. But I’m sure I’ll hear the same thing from everyone: everyone processes grief differently.
Is this even grief? I’m not sure.
“What are you looking for?” he presses.
“There’s nothing here I want,” I finally say. I make a move to step around him, but he stops me.
“Don’t sell this house,” he demands.
“Why? My own money is tied up in getting your ass out on bail.”
He raises his chin and sniffs, but he doesn’t thank me. As if he ever would consider it. “I was able to be with your mother in her final hours because I was out.”
I guess that’s all the thanks I’ll ever get. “I’m glad. I want my money back, as does Liam, so the house stays on the market. What’s the latest with your case?”
“They’re already asking for a continuance. It’ll be six months minimum before I head to trial. I need a place to live until then.”
“I heard Liam has a spare room,” I deadpan, glancing at Ivy.
“Actually, that’s where I’ll be staying for the time being,” Ivy says curtly to our father. “Sorry.” She’s flippant, and I love her a little more for it. It feels like it’s us against him. All ofus. All seven of the Bradley siblings tied together against one common enemy.
“I think Kennedy’s old apartment is available,” Madden says, appearing in the doorway. “She lived a little south of here for a while with a friend. Not a great part of town, but she managed to make it out alive.”
For some reason, having Madden here feels like we have the voice of reason. Maybe I see him more as a father figure than I ever saw my father as one, even though he’s only six years older than me. He took care of us in ways our father never did—sort of like Everleigh cared for us all in ways our mother didn’t.
“I’m selling the house,” I say, my voice cold and firm.
“No, you’re not,” my father hisses.
“You don’t have the money to stop me.” I leave those as my parting words as I push past him and head toward my bedroom, only to find that Tatum is no longer alone in there.
Archer’s here.
And he’s hugging my future bride.
CHAPTER 30: Tatum Barker
History and Future
“I don’t know what you want me to say,” I whisper to Archer.
His head is on my chest as he leans into me, and I cradle him against me as he attempts to shutter his emotions the way he always does. Just like usual, though, he can’t hide them from me. We may not be together anymore, but that doesn’t mean I stop knowing who he is. You can’t just erase a decade of friendship with a breakup. The muscle memory remains.
I rub his back gently, and my heart stutters in my chest.
