I pull my car into a close parking spot, the tightness in my chest easing when I see Talia’s red hair blowing in the wind as she squats to place flowers on the grave. She’ll probably be pissed I pinged her phone to find her, but I don’t care. Her safety is more important. Even though she’s back to her routine at the Tribune and busy working on her next book, you would think the knowledge that Hayes is gone and Paige has been arrested for stalking and harassment would settle my concern, but a part of me can’t help but worry for her.
I rub my jaw, smirking. Maybe that’s what love does to you. It makes you think about scenarios you never have before. I’m a prepared kind of guy, so fuck yeah, I’ll always want to keep an eye on Talia. For my own peace of mind.
But I understand why she didn’t tell me where she was going. I’m sure she doesn’t want anyone around while she has private time with her mother. As far as I know she’s never visited her mother’s grave. This is a first. I hope it helps her.
Talia and I have been great these past couple of weeks, but the sadness I see in her eyes sometimes when she doesn’t know I’m watching feels like my own chest is caving in. All I want is to make her happy, to never see that sadness. But there’s not a damn thing I can do about her aunt. The woman made her bed. It’ll be up to Talia to decide if she wants to let her back in her life. Personally, I would like her as far away from Talia as possible.
Just like Isabel. I would prefer booting my stepmother the hell out of all our lives. My earlier conversation with Isabel before I came here still festers in my chest. She hated that I interrupted her massage, but that was by design. I wanted her at her most vulnerable.
“What are you doing here?” Isabel squawked, while grabbing a towel to cover her bare ass.
“Excuse me, sir, but you can’t be in here,” the young male masseuse said to me as he turned and held his hands up.
“Get out,” I ordered in a low, deadly tone.
He stiffened, his lips pressing together. “I’m going to get management.”
I offered a cold smile. “You’re looking at him. I just bought this place. Now get the hell out. I need a word with your client.”
Isabel sniffed her annoyance that he closed the door behind him without another word, leaving her naked and all oiled up under nothing but a couple of small towels.
I pulled a side chair up, unbuttoned my suit jacket and sat right down in front of her, face to face.
Raising herself up on her elbows to make sure she was above me, she tucked a towel to cover her breasts, her gaze slitting. “I see you’re already spending your inheritance.”
“I haven’t touched any of my father’s money, but then you should know all about doing your best to make sure that never happened.”
Isabel’s brow wrinkles with her frown. “What are you talking about?”
As I watched her fidget slightly on the table, I smoothed my hand down my tie, taking my time. “I would think you’d be relieved to learn that the man I shot saving Talia ironically happened to be the man you hired to kill me when I was a teen.”
She had the audacity to gasp her outrage, diamonds flashing on the hand she put to her chest. “Have you lost your mind? Accusing me of such a horrific thing. I would never do—”
“Save your theatrics for those who naively believe you have a heart,” I snapped, cutting her off. I leaned forward, my voice stone cold. “I could so easily snap your neck for what you did to my mother, to me. And you know I’ve got the skills to do it.”
True fear briefly registered, but was quickly overtaken with arrogance. “How dare you threaten me? I’m a Blake, I can—”
“You’re not fucking getting it, so let me be clear how this is going to go down, Isabel. Hayes Crawford admitted that you hired him to kill me, so unless you want to go to jail for murder, you’re going to be the best damn mother to Mina and grandmother to Josi, the most supportive. No more negativity, no more snide comments to Mina, Talia, me, or anyone else for that matter. If I see you step out of line even just a little, I’ll have you arrested.”
She shook her head. “You’re making this up to try and destroy me. You have no proof.”
“The fact Hayes knew details about me and my ties to the Blake family is enough,” I state.
“That’s all you’ve got?” She let out a haughty laugh. “The notion that I concocted a plan to commit murder is ridiculous. You really are delusional, Sebastian, but then what should I expect from gutter trash.”
I smiled and stood, buttoning my jacket. “This gutter trash can very easily make your life hell without involving the police. How do you think my father will react when he learns what you did?”
Her face contorted in true anger. “Go ahead. Take your bullshit lies to your father. You two barely speak. He knows you hate me. He’ll never believe you.”
My smile turned icy. “I wasn’t the only one in the room when Hayes admitted what he did and your involvement. Talia was too. My father and I are working on mending a relationship that you tarnished, but he adores Talia and trusts her implicitly. One word from her and your life as a Blake is over.”
When I start to walk away, her tone turned downright smug. “No one will believe you. All you’ve got is the word of a crazed killer who’s dead. You have nothing on me.”
I slowly turned back around, my smile confident. “Now the claws come out. I knew you couldn’t hide them forever. How quickly you forget that Hayes wasn’t the one you hired. Your liaison, who can easily identify you, is still out there. Give me a reason to find him. You do realize that’s what I do for a living, right? I protect people. As far as I’m concerned, my family needs protection from you.”
“They’re Blakes! I would never hurt a Blake,” she said as if that justified her actions.
I shook my head in a fast jerk. “No, Isabel, in our family, you’re the only one who’s not a Blake. Walk the straight and narrow or you’ll discover just how true that is.”
Hell yeah, I lied right to her face. I knew Hayes killed the man she hired, but I could tell by her suddenly wary expression she didn’t know that. I wasn’t above fighting dirty to protect my own. I’d do whatever it took.
“Why don’t you just go ahead and ruin me, since you seem intent on doing so,” she said, her eyes watering.
“The only reason I haven’t is for Mina. I don’t want to take her mother away from her. My brothers could handle finding out what you’ve done, but Mina...” My gaze narrowed. “I know better than anyone what it feels like to have my mother ripped away from me. I won’t do that to my little sister unless you force my hand. So don’t force it.”
Talia looks up from the grave, pulling me out of my musings. At first I think she sees me, but then she looks back down and puts her hand on the headstone. I see her lips moving and wonder what she’s saying. She still has moments where she keeps things to herself, moments like these. I understand them, but a part of me wishes she would share all her thoughts with me.
She stands and I straighten in my seat. When she turns and heads right for my car, I expel a low laugh. Of course she saw me. She notices everything. The price I pay for loving an overly observant person, otherwise known as a writer.
Cold wind whips in the car when she opens the door and sits down in the passenger seat. Her face is flushed from the brisk air as she turns her expressive eyes my way. It’s times like this when I wish I could see the gorgeous green color and not just rely on memory. Holding my gaze, her eyebrow hikes.
Well, shit. Yep, not liking the pinging.
“You know…” she begins as she pulls her gloves off and drops them in her lap. “I didn’t tell you where I was going for a reason.”
I shrug, unrepentant. “If you had told me, I could’ve waited at home for you.”
Talia sighs and attempts to fingercomb her windblown hair. “I’m fine, Sebastian. Really.”
“It’s been two weeks, Talia. Are you going to talk to your aunt?” I don’t want the woman back in Talia’s life, not after everything she did, but I do want Talia to have some closure. I think she needs that.
“Are you going to talk to Isabel?” she challenges.
“I have,” I say curtly. “Now it’s your turn.”
Her eyes widen. “You have? What did you say to her? What did she say?”
“I’ll tell you when we get home.”
As I start the car and pull out of the cemetery, Talia quietly says, “I don’t know what to say to Aunt Vanessa, Sebastian. I’m just…” She raises her hands and lowers them to her lap, her shoulders slumping.
I slide my hand in hers and fold our fingers together. “I understand how much she hurt you, but nothing is worse than limbo. If my father and I can finally have a conversation after this much time, I hope you can at least consider saying what needs to be said. Then you can move on, no matter what decision you make.”
A tear escapes and she quickly dashes it away. “It’s just so hard. She’s my only family.”
“You’re part of my family,” I say, rubbing my thumb over hers.
She smiles, her eyes lighting up. “I’d be a basket case right now if you weren’t in my life.”
I release her hand and trail my knuckles and thumb down her cheek, telling her without words that I love and support her. After I’ve turned several streets, she looks around and frowns. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way home.”
“You’ll see.”
“Wherever it is, remember I have to be back by six for girls’ night out. Mina and Cass will shoot me if I’m late.”
I grunt. “My sister has informed me twice about your schedule.”
As I parallel park in front of a small bookstore with new and used books displayed in its front window, Talia smiles. “Ooh, I’ve never been to this store before.” She’s out of the car before I can come around and open the door for her. I quickly grab her hand just as she steps onto the sidewalk and turns toward the door.
“Wait, Talia.”
“What?” She glances back at me, excitement brimming in her eyes. “Your bookshelves are too empty. I’ll bet there are some classics in there.”
I nod toward the window. “Do you recognize anyone inside?”
She peers through the window and looks at an older woman talking to a man behind a register. “Isn’t that the man from my book signing?” she asks, her teeth starting to chatter. “The one who brought all my books to sign?”
I fold our clasped hands and blow on them to warm her. “It is. I had Kenneth McAdams checked out after the signing. I was worried he might be a threat, because he was so into your books. He cleared, but then after your aunt’s confession, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was anything else she hadn’t told you. I pulled some strings and got a copy of your birth certificate. It doesn’t match the one you used to get into college.”
Talia squeezes my hand as the old woman walks out of the store. “What are you saying?”
“Do most people ask you to sign your books to their full name?”
When she shakes her head, I nod to indicate the man who’s now carrying a basket of books toward a bookshelf. “He’s your father, Talia. His name was listed on your real birth certificate. Maybe the circumstances of how he left aren’t exactly how your aunt described either.” I shrug. “Maybe they are, but either way, you two have something in common—your love of stories. It’s a place to start.”
My heart thumps and I wonder what’s going on in her mind as she turns and stares into the store window. All I know is…I love seeing the look of hope bloom in her eyes as she tracks his movements.
“Why don’t you go in and talk to him.” I lean over and open the door for her. “I’ll wait out here for you.”
Once she walks in, I watch Talia call out and wave to catch his attention, then exhale on a chuckle when he turns and drops the basket of books on the floor. As Talia rushes to help him with the spilled books, I smile and slide my hands in my coat pockets, hoping that maybe over time she can get her family back. It might not be the one she started with, but family is still family, and we all want to know we belong.