Page 142

“Have you done this before?” I ask.

I hate how pathetic it sounds, hate that I still want to hear that I’m not just one more woman in a long list.

“No.” His answer is immediate. “I don’t do this. It’s fucked up.”

“But you were doing it.”

“I have medical bills.”

My gaze drops to his shoulder.

“From your bank robbery?” I ask, though even as I say it, I know it was another lie.

Levi shakes his head.

I blink. My brain can’t take in one more new thing.

“I never want to see you again,” I say.

His face changes. Not much. Levi’s too controlled for that. But I see it anyway. The words land somewhere deep, and for one awful second, I know exactly how badly they hurt him.

I shove the feeling down.

I refuse to feel sorry for him.

“Finn,” I say, without looking away from Levi. “Take me home.”

Finn moves immediately. His arm comes around me and he guides me toward the car.

“Carmen,” Maverick says behind me. My name comes out like a plea.

I don’t look back.

“I never want to see you again, either.”

Finn’s Mercedes is double-parked across the lot.

“I really didn’t know, Mom,” he says quietly.

“I know, darling.”

“I should’ve been around more.” His voice cracks. “I should’ve seen what Dad was doing.”

I stop beside the passenger door and look up at him. “It’s not your fault. This isn’t something a decent person sees coming—because a decent person would never do it.”

He swallows hard.

“He’s sick,” I say, softer now. “And I won’t let you blame yourself for missing it.”

Finn nods once, the movement tight and fragile, like it’s all he can manage.

He opens the passenger door for me and waits until I’m settled before closing it gently. A moment later he slides behind the wheel, starts the car, and pulls away without looking back.

40

LEVI

Istand frozen in the parking lot and watch Finn’s taillights disappear with Carmen in the passenger seat.