Page 105 of Mercy & Malice

My mind takes too long to comprehend what he actually said. And by the time it does, Luca is in front of me. “Get the fuck out of this house.”

Ledet shrugs. “It’s a simple question. Was it a ruse for attention? Or perhaps it was a cover to explain all the missing people around one little girl.”

I wish. What I wouldn’t give to have no marks on my skin and fractures in my soul from the very thing he thinks is make-believe.

Luca states, “You’re out of fucking line. Any other questions should be directed to her attorney.”

“Who, you?” He laughs.

“No. Within the hour, you’ll receive formal notice that you are not to approach Brooke Guidry without her attorney present. From this point forward, if you want to speak with her, you’ll contact counsel and arrange an interview. There will be no more unannounced visits.” Luca keeps a steady level tone. “And I strongly suggest you rethink your line of questioning before that interview takes place.”

Ledet gives him a smug snarl but finally walks out the door. I look at Luca who still looks furious. “I don’t have an attorney. Do I need one?”

“I’ll have my attorney handle it. I doubt you’ll need representation. But it’ll keep that motherfucker from showing up and asking stupid fucking questions.” Luca pulls out his phone as he states, “He’s nothing but hot air. Don’t let him get to you.”

“He’s not.” Lie. “I’m trying not to. How could he really think anyone would fake that for attention? The man is so hateful.” And reminds me so much of my father that it makes me sick to my stomach.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him.” Luca steps away while tapping on his phone screen.

When Ivy approaches, I tell her, “I just don’t want to deal with any of this. And I have to go get my things from my bedroom.”

She offers quickly, “I can go. I don’t mind at all.”

“No, that’ll make my mom even more suspicious.” She already knows there was more to the story yesterday but hasn’t pushed. If I completely avoid the house, she’ll surely do so. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“I’ll walk with you.”

We thankfully miss seeing anyone before we get to my room and I close the door. I’m almost done packing when there’s a knock. “I didn’t hear you come in,” my mom says upon opening the door.

That was the goal. “Just grabbing a few things. I’m going to spend a few nights next door.”

Ivy gives her a smile and says, “I begged for some tutoring sessions. We have a big test coming up in government, and I need all the help I can get.”

Mom gives her a half smile as she tells me, “You can study here.”

I pull the strap of my bag over my shoulder. “I know. But we already made plans to do it at her house.”

Mom surveys me for a few seconds before she blurts out, “We can talk about yesterday or my engagement or Micah. Whatever is making you uncomfortable with staying here. Micah hasn’t even been here, and Donald had another business trip that he won’t be back from for a few days.”

“Really, it’s nothing like that.” Lie. “I promised I’d help Ivy study, and Anthony keeps us on task when we try to venture off.” Not a lie at all.

“Okay. Just check in with me every so often, please.” Mom wraps me in a hug. “I know you’ll be nearby, but I still miss you.”

“Me too.” I miss the version of her that I thought existed when I was a kid, not the version either of us are now.

59

BROOKE

I thought being around Micah at school would be hard, but it’s been the opposite all week long. It’s easy. Mainly because he’s actually respected my boundaries. I see him looking at me, observing me. But he never inserts himself into my space or forces me to interact with him. He hasn’t messaged or called. He hasn’t attempted to approach me. Why does getting exactly what I asked for feel off?

And now I’m sitting at a party, searching around for him. He’s nowhere to be found.

Ivy asks, “Looking for someone?”

“No,” I lie.

“He’s not coming. He told Luca that he was going to skip this one so he could give you some space.”