Chapter Twenty-Eight
Trace
As I satwith Ivan in his car, waiting for Ryan to show up for his meeting with Ms. Pierce, I couldn’t believe how drastically my life had changed in twenty-four hours. When I’d told my family about Ivan’s investigation, they didn’t believe it just as I hadn’t at first, but when they’d seen all the insurmountable evidence, disbelief had turned to anger and hurt. My mom started blaming herself, as did my grandmother. I silently blamed myself, but my grandfather had nipped all of that in the bud by telling us the only one to blame was Ryan. And even though I knew that was true, a big part of me kept wondering what we had done to Ryan that would’ve made him do something so awful to us.
After I’d left my grandparents’ home, I went home and told Cierra who Cory really was. Shock had covered her face, and she said that when she’d first met him at Tipsy Cow, he’d looked familiar, and now she knew why. Then she pulled me into her embrace and held me for a long time without saying anything. It was exactly what I needed, and I was grateful for her comfort and support. She made a long, sleepless night more tolerable, and I loved her for it.
“Want some coffee?” Ivan asked as he unscrewed his thermos.
“Nah, I’m good.”
Ms. Pierce pulled into a small lot near the restaurant where she and Ryan were going to eat. She said they’d normally exchanged money and information before beginning their meeting. Climbing out, she waited near her car. A blue Maxima pulled in a few seconds later and Ryan got out. He was the brother I’d looked up to, but the Ryan I remembered as a kid was incompatible with the man who walked toward Ms. Pierce.
“He doesn’t suspect a thing,” Ivan said as he poured his coffee back into the thermos, then secured the lid.
Ms. Pierce waved at him and leaned against her car. They said a few things to each other, and then she opened her large purse and took out a legal-sized folder. She handed it to him and he pulled a wad of bills from his pocket. The minute she took it, several men in uniforms and suits descended upon them.
Ivan turned to me. “It’s time for your reunion.”
With pounding temples and racing heartbeat, I got out of the car and approached. The detective had already handcuffed him when I came over. Ryan glared at me, hatred flashing in his eyes. I just shook my head and asked, “Why did you do this? Do you know how much pain you put the family through all these years?”
“Yourfamily, never mine.” His voice was hard and angry.
“It was your family as much as mine. Mom loved you like you were her own, and Grandma and Grandpa were always good to you.”
“You were the one they loved. I was there because my dad died. They felt obligated. Every fucking thing was about you. Now look at you. A big CEO, a beautiful girlfriend, and more money than you can count. Do you think your grandfather would’ve made me CEO? No fucking way. I hate people like you who think they’re fucking entitled.”
“I’m not ‘people,’ I’m your brother.”
“Only half, and it’s the half I don’t want.”
The detective pulled Ryan toward the car. “We’re going to the station. If you want to tag along, you can, but we’ll do the questioning.”
I shook my head. “Just let me know what’s going on.”
Ms. Pierce, handcuffed, was escorted to another car. “You promised me,” she said to me.
I walked over to her and whispered close to her ear. “I’ll post your bond. We’ll talk later.”
I watched as the blue and red flashing lights faded into the misty night. All at once, I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to be with Cierra, my head in her lap and her fingers running through my hair.
I sent her a quick text and had Ivan drop me off at her place. When I walked in, the tantalizing aroma of onions and bay leaf greeted me. I glanced at the counter and saw two place settings and a glass of red wine. Wearing a cute black apron with white polka dots and stripes, Cierra set down the wooden spoon and came over to me, looping her arms around my neck and kissing me deeply. She tasted of wine, and smelled of flour and carrots.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I guess. Is that glass of wine for me?” Smiling, she nodded. I picked it up, grasped her hand, and guided her to the couch. Kicking off my shoes, I sank down on the couch, taking her with me.
“I made your favorite comfort food—beef stew. I figured you’d need it.”
I hugged her close and nuzzled my face against her neck. “I love you so much.”
“Me too,” she whispered back. “Was it awful?”
I pulled away, then dangled my arm around her shoulder, drawing her close to me. “Ryan hates me. He always has. He’s resented me from day one and I never saw it.”
“How could you? You were only a child.”
“And we all loved him. How could he not see that? My very existence is why my brother hates me to the core.”
