Page 72

Her lower lip quivers as she takes a drink, and I know this is a very watered-down version of what must have happened, but I won’t press her to tell me more.

“When I’d heard that Carson had a wife who died, all of the hair stood up on my body.”

Just hearing those words out loud make me sick to my stomach.

“I had a feeling. No one wanted to tell me much when they first found me, and to be honest, I was pretty high strung. Afraid of everything. I still have nightmares. But anyway, I would ask for more information, but they wouldn’t tell me. Finally, I just asked Carson myself. And let me just say, he scares the fuck out of me, and having a voluntary conversation with him made me just about pee my pants.”

I feel my lips twitch.

“When he told me your name, I knew it was you.”

“And now, here I am.”

She nods solemnly. “I’m so glad you got away and that the baby was okay.”

“It was hard,” I admit softly. “I didn’t know where to go or what to do. So, I hitchhiked to LA. Spent a couple of months there, waiting tables and staying at a women’s shelter. Told them I was pregnant and running from an abusive ex.”

Rose nods. “Smart.”

“Then I made my way up the coast. I wanted to be in Portland by the time I had him. The first couple of years were rough while I figured it all out, but then things calmed down. I met Mildred, who’s been a lifesaver when it came to helping me with Charlie. I had a good job.”

I take a drink of water.

“And then, one day, Carson appeared and kicked my legs out from under me.” Tears prick my eyes, making my nose tingle. “Aside from Mildred and Charlie, I didn’t have friends or family for so long. And today, I’m reminded that I have all of you, and it’s⁠—”

“A little overwhelming,” she says with a soft smile. “I know. I’m still getting used to everyone. But I’ve never seen my sister happier. Mateo treats her like a queen.”

“She is a queen,” I reply. “And that’s exactly how he should treat her. Will you stay in Vegas with all of us?”

She sips her water. “Yeah. I never want to live away from Violet, and I met Diego.”

Her cheeks darken at the mention of his name.

“And everyone says it’s too fast and I have too much trauma, but he’s been really nice to me. We’re just taking our time.”

“I think that’s lovely,” I reply softly. “I’ve known Diego a long time. He’s a good person. Well, you know what I mean.”

She chuckles and nods. “I do. They’re all so good to us.”

“And only us,” I remind us both. “I have no illusions that Carson is a law-abiding citizen. But I also know without a doubt that there’s nowhere safer for Charlie and I than with him.”

With my leg starting to ache again from standing, I pick up my water, and Rose joins me, headed for the door to the pool.

“If you ever want to talk,” I say as we reach the door, before I open it. “Please call me. Anytime, day or night. I’ll make sure we exchange numbers before you leave.”

“Same goes,” Rose says. “Anytime.”

“I’m going to get you!” Charlie yells as Carson goes running past the kitchen, our son on his heels, both of them carrying Nerf guns. “You’re dead meat!”

Charlie shoots but misses, and Carson dives down behind the couch, then pops up and shoots at our child, hitting him in the arm.

“Wounded,” Carson yells out.

“It’s just a flesh wound,” Charlie quips, and I can’t help but laugh.

Where the hell did he hear that?

Charlie runs around the couch, but Carson is already gone, running up the stairs, and Charlie follows.