Carmen woke to the sound of a ringing phone. She opened swollen, itchy eyes and surveyed her bedroom from the floor. Sunlight filtered through the blinds and warmed her body, which she had curled in the fetal position.

The ringing stopped. Her body ached as if she had the flu. Her eyes moved up to the urn, a constant reminder of what she had lost. She curled her toes, and even that small gesture sent a streak of pain to her temples. She swam in a sea of regret and self-loathing. If she hadn’t fought for Vinny to become crime lord, he never would have been killed. Maybe Steven Vega wouldn’t have pegged Vinny as an easy mark and Gavin wouldn’t have gone on a bloody revenge spree, he and Lyla wouldn’t have put off their wedding, and maybe Steven wouldn’t have gone for Uncle Manny …

She curled into a tighter ball to combat the agony searing her insides. She buried the truth because she couldn’t handle the fact that she had orchestrated her husband’s demise. Vinny wouldn’t have become crime lord without her interference. Gavin wouldn’t have allowed it if she hadn’t made that call. Why had she done it? That was what a good wife does. She moaned and covered her head with her arms as if that would protect her from the memories ripping her soul to shreds. She encouraged him to be crime lord to help him be more confident and prove Gavin wrong. It was she who was wrong. She ruined her life and everyone else’s, and for what?

Guilt and more pain than she could bear flooded through her. She took refuge in a zombie-like state for years, but she couldn’t avoid the truth any longer. Gavin signed his cousin’s death warrant. Maddog’s words lashed at her. No, it was his wife who signed his death warrant. All her fault. She writhed on the ground as the pain turned her inside out. She couldn’t stay still, couldn’t put a stopper on it. She instinctively clawed her chest to get beneath her skin to the source of her agony. If she could have, she would have carved out her own heart. Memories of Vinny taunted her. She could feel his hands on her skin, remember the smell of their lovemaking, the touch of his hands cupping her face. She could see his face so clearly.

What did I do to deserve a wife like you?

She screamed to block out the echo of his voice. She got to her knees and gripped her head as she rocked uncontrollably. She couldn’t take much more. She had to make it stop.

The sound of the phone ringing pierced through her hysteria. She spotted her purse and crawled across the carpet and turned it upside down. Phone, tampons, condoms, keys, gun. She touched cold metal and was about to wrap her hands around it when she heard, “Carmen?”

She jerked her hand away from the gun as her mother’s voice broke the spell as effectively as a crowd of people stampeding into the room. She scrubbed a hand over her face and tried to get herself together, but she didn’t have enough time. Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and seconds later, her mother appeared. She bowed her head in an attempt to conceal her puffy, distraught face.

“Carmen?” Her mother was out of breath. “We’ve been calling—”

She dropped to her knees and grasped Carmen’s hand as she tried to sweep everything back into her purse.

“Carmen?”

“I’m sorry. I just woke up,” she said hoarsely.

“Carmen.”

Mom cupped her chin and raised it. She attempted a smile even as tears slid down her face.

“I’m fine,” she whispered.

Mom’s eyes filled with tears.

“I’m fine,” she said again.

“You’re not,” Mom said gently.

“I am,” she said even as her face crumpled.

She desperately tried to hold it all in.

“It’s going to be okay, Carmen.”

Mom drew her close. She buried her face in her shoulder and fisted a handful of her starched shirt. No, it would never be okay. As if Mom could hear her thoughts, she hugged her even tighter.

“You’ve been so strong,” Mom murmured. “We’re so proud of you.”

No, she couldn’t hear this now. She shook her head and tried to pull away, but Mom held her tight.

“You’re everything we could have hoped for and more. We raised you to be confident, passionate, caring. You give so much of yourself away and leave nothing for yourself. We were so happy you found Vinny. He understood you just like us.”

“Mom, stop,” she begged.

“It hurts me to see you in pain,” Mom whispered.

She desperately tried to get a handle on her emotions. “I know. I’m trying.”

“But it hurts me even more to see you ignore it.”

Carmen gave in. She went limp in her mother’s arms as sorrow swallowed her whole. She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but the tight embrace never slackened. Warm, familiar hands comforted her while her body was wracked with sobs so powerful, she couldn’t catch her breath. Her mother murmured soft, loving words in her ear while she rocked her. When the storm passed, she lay exhausted and empty in her arms.

They sat in silence. She noticed that the light in the room had changed, confirmation that they had been here a while.

Mom kissed her temple. “Come, I’ll make you a bubble bath.”

Mom assisted her into the bathroom and prepared the bath while Carmen sat on the edge, staring into space. Mom undressed her and urged her in the tub. The sweet smell of jasmine drew her out of the darkness. The warm water soothed her aching, quivering muscles. Mom washed her hair as if she was five years old. She wasn’t capable of doing anything more strenuous than sitting upright.

“Lyla called me this morning,” Mom said.

It took a minute for that to make sense. “Why?”

“Something to do with the Black Viper gang.” Mom didn’t ask questions; she just massaged her scalp, as placid as could be. “Gavin was in some kind of uproar, and Lyla tried to call you, but you didn’t answer, so she called me.”

She tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t alarm her mother and came up with nothing. Her mother knew all about the Black Vipers.

“Carmen Marie.”

She suddenly found her chin caught in a firm grip. Her mother stared straight into her eyes, gaze strong and unflinching.

“I don’t know what you’re doing to work through your grief, but I won’t lose you to the underworld, you understand me? I won’t tell you what not to do because you’ll do it, but I’m warning you, you’re running toward dark stuff. Once you go down that road, there’s no coming back.” Her expression eased a little as she stroked her cheek and then splayed her hand over the angry red scratches on her chest. “This isn’t you, baby.”

Her chest quaked as she tried to keep the well of emotions in check.

“I lost your father. I can’t lose you too. I’m here. I can help you through this. I need you here with me, baby. Stay with me.”

Carmen gave a tiny nod that satisfied her mother. The hand wiped away her tears and resumed giving her a bath.

“Gavin’s involved.”

Oh, shit.

“Lyla doesn’t know all the details. Something about you, his cousin, a shooting, the Black Vipers, and he left shortly after. Whatever happened yesterday is done. Gavin will handle it.”

She rinsed Carmen’s hair as she continued to talk.

“I prayed for a daughter because I knew your father would forbid you from becoming an enforcer.”

Yes, she had heard that more than once over the years.

“Your father never worried about you because he believed you could handle anything, and he was right. And what you couldn’t handle, Manny and Gavin would.”

“Mom—”

“Hush.”

Her mom wrapped her in a robe and combed her hair before she led her downstairs. Mom pushed her onto a chair at the table and put a glass of water in front of her along with two aspirin. The cold water soothed her raw throat. She heard the sizzle of butter hit a hot pan as Mom bustled around the kitchen. It seemed that it took less than a minute for Mom to place a grilled cheese sandwich in front of her.

“Eat.”

She obeyed because she didn’t have any fight left. Mom sat across from her with her own sandwich, and they ate in silence. When she finished, she felt better, but the heavy weight on her chest was still there. Mom watched her with quiet expectation. She opened her mouth and then closed it. Her hands fisted in her lap, and she swallowed hard.

“You’re going to get through this, Carmen.”

“I used to be strong,” she whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek.

“No one is strong all the time. You’ve been taking care of people for a long time. You took Lyla under your wing when you were kids, you took care of Vinny, and then you took on Lyla after the attack. Then you came home and took care of me.” Her voice shook, and she reached for Carmen’s hand and squeezed it. “I know it wasn’t easy. You have a good heart, Carmen. You take on so many things without thinking twice. You don’t have a mean bone in your body.”

“I killed the leader of the Black Viper gang.”

Mom paled. “What? Why?”

“H-he said Vinny becoming crime lord was a joke, that Gavin signed his death warrant, but he was wrong …” She shook her head as memories cascaded through her. “He was wrong.”

“Carmen?”

“It’s my fault,” she whispered.

“What’s your fault?”

“I killed Vinny.” Her mother shook her head and opened her mouth, but she spoke over her. “I did. I told Vinny to do it. I encouraged him. I called Gavin and told him to make Vinny crime lord.”

Silence filled the kitchen.

“I knew what to say to make Gavin give in. I’m the one who made it happen. It’s my fault.” She stared straight ahead as she said, “Hearing him mock Vinny’s life, hearing him blame Gavin …” She hung her head, too ashamed to meet her mother’s eyes. “If Vega hadn’t killed Vinny, Gavin wouldn’t have gone crazy. Uncle Manny would still be alive, and Lyla wouldn’t have s-scars.”

“It’s done, Carmen.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not.”

“Carmen, let it go.”

“I can’t.”

Mom gripped both of her hands hard enough to get her attention. “Do you know why I married your father?”

“You loved him.”

“Yes, but I didn’t marry him until I got pregnant, and I knew there was no going back.”

This was new information, but a little out of the blue. “What does that have to do with—?”

“I don’t know why I fell in love with a bad man, but I did. I knew what your father did for a living. I didn’t want to worry about him every time he went to work. I didn’t want to live like that, wondering if he would come home to me, but I got pregnant, and I committed.” Mom leaned forward. “Sometimes, innocents get hurt. Sometimes, he made mistakes. I saw the news, and I could put two and two together. I should have turned him in.”

She stared transfixed at her mother. She had never seen this side of her. Her mother had never voiced anything like this in her life. She had always seemed totally accepting of the ways of the underworld.

“Your father did what he did best and came home and was the best father to you and an amazing husband to me. I never turned him in.”

“Why?”

“Because I loved a good man who did bad things for a living. Even though some of the battles in the underworld are fought for money and territory, I told myself what he did was for the better good.” Mom stroked her face. “Your father had a code. It’s not one that everyone would understand, but he had one, and he was a good man.”

“He was the best,” she agreed.

“I supported your father even when I shouldn’t, even knowing people would lose their lives. Do you understand?”

“But—”

“Even if Vinny hadn’t become crime lord, there was always a possibility he could be targeted because he’s a Pyre.”

“Yes.”

“You supported your husband because you wanted what he wanted. That’s what a million other women and I have done for men who risk their lives for country or code. Loyalty, that’s what we bred in you. You’re your father’s daughter. He gave you grit, but he also gave you heart. You took action last night to protect your man. I’m just glad you’re breathing today.”

“Mom—”

She grasped her face between both hands. “You loved him, Carmen, more than life. You love me, which is why you gave your blessing when you found out about Marv.”

“Yes, but—”

“You love, and there’s no shame in that. You care. You deserve to be happy. Vinny wouldn’t blame you, would he?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered.

“No, he wouldn’t. What’s done is done. You did what you thought was right at the moment, and there’s no going back. You have so much life to live, Carmen.”

She sniffled. “I do?”

“You give so much you don’t even notice. My friends are fighting over whose son you get to meet first. You listen to them, spend time with them, take care of them. You tip the pregnant waitress without hesitation. You spread good wherever you go. You help with your friend’s businesses, volunteer, and don’t hesitate to drop everything if someone needs help. You’re a good person, and you won’t convince anyone otherwise.” She eyed her sternly. “Let it go, Carmen.”

“It’s not that easy,” she whispered.

“You’ll get there.”

“How?”

“Be around people who love and appreciate you.” She stood and hugged Carmen from behind. “We’ll love you back to life. It’s the most powerful force on the planet. It can do wonders.”

She let out a long breath and let her mother’s love soothe her raw wounds. “Okay.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“We’re gonna get through this. One day at a time.”

“How do I do this?”

“You find something that makes you happy. You do that, and it’ll give you a break from the pain. Then you find something else that makes you happy, and you do more of that. Eventually, the good beats out the bad.” Mom stroked her hair. “How many shots?”

It took her a moment to figure out what she was talking about. “Two. I missed on the first, but the second got him in the chest.”

Mom kissed her temple. “Your father would be proud.”

Carmen’s lips curved. “I know.”

The faint ring of a phone echoed through the house.

“It’s probably Lyla,” Mom said and rushed out of the kitchen.

Carmen folded her arms on the table and rested her aching head on top. She took a deep breath and then another. Mom’s ministrations definitely worked. The bath to wash away the memories, the food to fill the emptiness, and the love to hold her in the present.

“Carmen.” She grunted as Mom walked in the kitchen. “It’s Gavin.”

She tensed. Gavin was the last person she wanted to talk to when she was feeling this way. She played possum and didn’t raise her head.

Mom sighed and said, “She can hear you.”

Gavin’s angry voice filled the kitchen. “What the hell were you thinking, Carmen?”

She raised her head and glared at Mom who shrugged.

“Neither of you can stay there. It isn’t safe. Pack a bag and stay with us.”

Carmen felt all the blood drain from her body. Oh, shit. It was starting all over again. Her impulsive stupidity put Mom’s life in danger.

“I just moved in with Marv,” Mom said,

“Who’s Marv?” Gavin asked brusquely.

“My fiancé.” When Gavin didn’t comment, she added, “I’ll invite you to the wedding, of course.”

“Of course,” Gavin echoed and then, “I guess that should be okay since I didn’t even know you were engaged. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Gavin,” Mom chirped gaily. “You’re going to love him. He’s so sweet.”

“I’ll take your word for it. There are two guards outside, Mickey and Frederick. They stay on Carmen at all times. Keeping you out of sight is just a precaution, Isabel.”

“I understand,” Mom said.

“I want you gone in the next fifteen minutes.”

“Will do. Thank you, Gavin.” Mom waited a good twenty seconds before she lowered the phone. “I guess he hung up. Let’s go, Carmen.”

Someone pounded on the door, and they both jumped. Her survival instinct kicked in. She shot up from the table, climbed on the counter, and pulled the shotgun from the top of the cabinets. Mom pulled a tiny pistol from its hiding place behind the bread maker. She tiptoed to the door and waited.

“It’s Mickey and Frederick. Pyre says you need to be gone in fourteen minutes.”

She relaxed slightly. Fucking Gavin. She opened the door with the shotgun still in hand. Two men stood on her doorstep. They looked FBI rejects with the blinding white shirts, black ties, and black suits. The Mexican built like a tank had sprawling tattoos on the back of his hands that twined around each finger. Probably covering up a gang tattoo. The second guy couldn’t be older than twenty-five. He looked bright-eyed and excited before he noticed the gun. He took a step back while the other guard’s lip curled.

“I hope you know how to use that,” Mexican Hulk said.

She lifted the barrel. “Want me to show you?”

Mom bumped her to the side. “Carmen was taught to shoot when she eight years old, and I’m not such a bad shot myself.” She waved to Lamar, a teenager who lived three doors down and who was currently parked at the end of their driveway on his bike, watching avidly. “Hey, Lamar!”

“They straight?” he called.

“Yes, they work for Gavin.”

Lamar threw the peace sign and pedaled down the road. Mom turned back to the guards and waved them inside. “Carmen needs help with her things.”

It finally penetrated that she would be moving again, and this time to her future stepfather’s house, a man she’d met twice in her life. “Maybe I should get a hotel.”

“No.” Mom pushed her toward the stairs. “You have ten minutes. Don’t dawdle. Just take what you need. I’m sure you can always send someone to get more if you need it.”

“Marv doesn’t want—”

“You don’t know what he wants, Carmen Marie. Now, hush and hurry.”

It wasn’t until she felt an uncomfortable breeze that she realized her robe had loosened, giving a glimpse of her modest cleavage and stomach.

“You’re hurt?” the smaller guard asked as he stared at the angry scratches on her chest.

“No,” she said shortly as she cinched the robe and headed upstairs with the shotgun under her arm. She surveyed her room and heard the two guards stop behind her.

“I want those four piles,” she said, pointing at four mounds of shoes, clothes, and shopping bags.

“All of those?” Wannabe Blade grunted.

“Yes.”

She could feel his irritation, but he didn’t argue. He opened her closet, found a duffel she used in high school for cheerleading and got to work. She kicked through a pile of clothes and found a purple velvet tracksuit. She went into the bathroom to change as the guys got to work. She looked in the mirror at her bloodshot, puffy eyes and took a deep breath. There was no time to think. No, once again life was propelling her forward. She found a bedazzled Ed Hardy hat, which she pulled low over her face, oversized sunglasses, and slipped into a pair of black platform sandals decorated with studs.

She packed up her makeup and jewelry and handed it off to the younger guard before she hefted Vinny. She waved them off as she carried the urn to the Aston Martin. Her things had been loaded into an SUV.

“Will one of you drive her?” Mom called from the beat-up Toyota. “She’s under the weather.”

“Mom!”

“Don’t argue, Carmen. I gave them the address. They know where we’re going. I’ll see you there!”

Mom waved as she backed out of the drive. She probably needed a head start to explain to Marv why she was showing up with her twenty-nine-year-old daughter in tow.

“Ma’am?” the young guard asked tentatively.

She tossed him the keys and settled Vinny on the floorboard between her feet. She sat back and closed her eyes as the car began to move.

“I’m Mickey.”

“Carmen,” she said with her eyes closed.

“Of course, we know all about you, Mrs. Pyre.”

She ground her teeth. “Just call me Carmen.”

“Okay.”

She felt congested and lightheaded from her crying fit. All she wanted to do was lay in a dark room and sleep, preferably for a week or two. Her phone rang. She hesitated before she fished it out of her purse.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hey. I just wanted to remind you about Saturday,” Alice said.

“Saturday?”

“The animal adoption. You’re coming right?”

The meeting she attended with Alice over the arrangements felt like a month ago. “Oh, right. Yes. What’s today?”

“Thursday. Are you all right?”

No, she wasn’t, but she was a world-class actress. “I’m good. I went out last night and am only getting my day started now.”

“Oh, okay. Saturday, Cimarron Elementary.”

“Right. I’ll be there. Do you need anything?”

“A crowd to get these animals adopted.”

“Right. I’ll see you then.”

“Bye.”

After she hung up, Mickey said, “I doubt Pyre’s going to allow that.”

She held up a finger. “Don’t.”

He glanced at her. “Don’t what?”

“Tell me what I can or can’t do.” It was Maddog’s dare that put her over the edge last night. Mom was right; if someone told her not to do something, she would be compelled to do just that.

She sat back and stared out of the window. She felt dead inside. It took a week for her new outlook on life to plummet to its death in a hail of blood, violence, and a reminder of past sins. Angel thought she needed to risk her life to keep her restlessness at bay. Mom didn’t want her going down that road, and neither did she. The last thing she wanted was to rub shoulders with people like Maddog and George Wotherton. Mom was right. She would find little things that made her happy and hold on for dear life.

She spotted a familiar building. “Turn here.”

“What?”

“Turn!” she snapped.

The tires screeched as Mickey made a sharp turn.

“The drive-through is around the corner,” she said.

“What the hell are we doing?”

“I want a donut,” she said.

“What?”

“Do-nut,” she enunciated. “Strawberry, chocolate … whatever they have, I want it. I had one a week ago, and it made me happy, so we’re gonna get a dozen and hope it perks me up. Comprende?”

Mickey gave her a glance that suggested she’d lost her mind. His phone rang as he pulled up to the microphone. Carmen leaned across him and hollered out her order as Mickey talked on the phone.

“She wants a donut. I know. We’ll be out of here in a sec.” He hung up. “Frederick’s covering us.”

“Of course, he is.” She handed him her credit card. “I didn’t ask if you wanted anything.”

He grinned. “I’m sure I’ll find something from the three dozen you ordered.”

“I want Mom and Marv to have some too.”

Mickey handed her three hot boxes, which she placed on her lap. She waved at the Dunkin’ Donut’s worker, who drooled over her car. She flipped open the lid and bit into a strawberry donut. She closed her eyes and sank her teeth into the pink frosting and let everything else cease to exist. It was pathetic to seek solace from a donut, but she would take what she could get. Anything had to be better than wallowing in a pit of self-loathing.

“Is that as good as it looks?” Mickey asked, ruining her moment.

She opened her eyes to find him watching her instead of where he was going. “Eyes on the road.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She bit into two other donuts, but none gave her a rush like the strawberry one. She sucked her finger as Mickey drove and then smacked the door.

“Turn here.”

“Frederick’s not going to—”

She reached for the steering wheel. He cursed and brushed her hands away. “Okay, okay. Where are we going?”

She gave him directions and then handed him the donut boxes as she got out of the car. Frederick parked beside her and jumped out with his hand in his jacket.

“What’s going on?”

“I need stuff,” she said and started toward Petco.

“What the hell?”

“There’s an animal adoption event in two days.”

“What the hell does that have to do with …” Frederick began but broke off when she walked through the doors.

She walked into Petco with Frederick and Mickey flanking her. She found two workers to assist her, and she went on a shopping spree. She bought beds, leashes, food and water dishes, collars, toys, treats, etc. She situated a delivery time with the manager and also managed to get him to advertise the event with the local stores as well. After handing over her credit card to pay over ten grand, she caught the look her guards exchanged.

“How’d you two get stuck with me?” she asked. “Is Angel or Gavin punishing you?”

“Neither. We volunteered,” Mickey said.

Carmen frowned. “Why would you volunteer?”

“You’re with Roman, right?”

She stiffened. “Excuse me?”

“You were with him last night. He basically claimed you in front of everyone. We figured you were bound for action since you’re his.” He finally registered her outraged expression. “You’re not?”

“No! You were duped into playing babysitter for someone who is going to make you take her on fast food runs and animal adoptions.”

“So why were you with Roman last night?” Mickey persisted.

Why, indeed? Fucking Angel. She thanked the cashier and crumpled the epic receipt into a sizable ball as she marched out of the store. She pulled her phone out of her purse and pointed at both men to stay as she walked a few paces away and dialed Angel. He answered on the fifth ring.

“I’m busy.”

“So am I,” she quipped. “Why did you really take me with you last night?”

“I told you.”

“For the rush?” she asked as she paced with a hand on her hip. “Is that all?”

“What else is there?”

“How about the fact that everyone thinks I’m yours now?”

“It’s for protection.”

“What?”

“The next time you do some wild shit, they know they’ll have to deal with me as well. I put you under my wing.”

“You put me on the map, jack off!”

“You wouldn’t be on the map if you hadn’t decided to shoot Maddog. I took the killing shot, but everyone who was there knows you would have kept shooting until he keeled over. Did you work through whatever shit was going on with you last night? It has to do with Vinny, right?”

She stomped her foot. “Stop trying to play my fucked-up therapist! You don’t know me!”

He chuckled. “I do know you. It’s like looking in a mirror. You, Luci, and I are cut from the same cloth. I don’t need to analyze you because I already get it.”

“You don’t get shit.”

“Right. Where are you?” he asked suddenly.

“In a Petco parking lot. Why?”

“You’re alone?” His voice was suddenly sharp.

“No, I have my guards.”

“Stop fucking around and get to your safe place. Once Gavin got involved, the Black Vipers went to ground. Stay low and if you have to go out, don’t leave without them. Got it?”

“If you hadn’t taken me, I wouldn’t need guards,” she sassed back.

The line went dead. She cursed and turned to see Frederick and Mickey standing closer than they had been a minute ago. She glared as she pushed between them and got in the car. Mickey said nothing as he drove. Her foot tapped against the floorboard in irritation. If Angel hadn’t taken her last night, she would still be encased in her impenetrable wall of denial, a much-needed buffer that kept the guilt at bay so she could function. Now, it was in her lungs. With every breath she took, pain swirled around in her chest like fine shards of glass, leaving razor thin cuts on her insides.

Mickey pulled up to a house painted in baby blue and white with big bay windows and rose bushes in front. She stepped out of the car as the front door opened, and Mom and Marv appeared. She waited with her hand on the door, bracing herself for a lecture or disapproving look from Marv.

“I thought something happened to you,” he said as he gave her a hug.

The smell of Old Spice and the burly feel of him went to her head like whiskey. Oh, Dad, I miss you so much, she thought and willed back the tears. Dad wasn’t here, but Marv was doing a damn good job of stepping up. He roused good memories that made her want to burrow against him and hang on tight.

“I brought donuts,” she said as he pulled away. She made a big show of reaching into the car to grab them.

Marv’s eyes widened. “You’d be a hit at the mechanic shop.”

“Really? I can deliver—”

He laughed and swung an arm over her shoulders. “No, that’s okay. Come inside.”

“Wait, let me get Vinny.”

He released her and watched as she hefted the urn. He didn’t comment as he led the way into the house. The house had high beam ceilings, wood floors, and a big fireplace. Everything was open, airy, and filled with personal touches that said it had been well lived in. She got a glimpse of a well-kept backyard with thriving plants.

“This is it,” Marv said. “It’s simple but—”

“It’s perfect,” she said quietly as she clutched Vinny to her chest.

“I think so,” Marv said with his hands in pockets.

A young, exotic woman walked out of the hallway wearing jeans and a shirt two sizes too big for her. She had the perfect mix of both parents—creamy white skin from her father and slanted hazel eyes and pin straight black hair from her Asian mother.

“This is my daughter, Maddie. She’s a freshman in college. Maddie, this is Carmen, Isabel’s daughter,” Marv said.

“Hi,” Maddie said faintly.

“Hi,” Carmen said and hefted Vinny awkwardly on her hip.

“What’s that?” Maddie asked.

“My husband.”

Maddie’s eyes widened and then softened. “Oh.”

“Maddie’s going to school for hotel management and business,” Marv said.

“Really? I might be able to help you with that,” Carmen said.

Maddie’s brows rose. “You can?”

“I own shares in Pyre Casino, and I have an in with the CEO.”

Maddie’s mouth formed the word, “Wow,” but no sound came out of her.

“Where are we putting her stuff?” Frederick asked from behind her.

“This way,” Marv said and started down the hallway.

“You know, Marv, it’s not a big deal for me to go to a hotel,” Carmen began.

“Don’t be silly. You’re family,” he said.

He led her to a beautiful guest room with doilies on the dresser and everything done in white. It was simple, rustic, and soothing. It wasn’t the type of room you cried your heart out in. She settled Vinny on the bedside table and winced when it creaked under the weight. Frederick and Mickey began to bring in her stuff, and she attempted not to trash the place by making semi-organized piles. When she finished, she padded back into the living area. Through the front windows, she saw Mickey and Frederick parked across the street in the SUV.

“Are you in trouble?” Maddie asked.

Carmen plopped onto the opposite of the lush couch and faced her future stepsister.

“Yeah,” she said.

“What kind?” Maddie asked.

She hesitated. This house belonged in Better Homes and Garden. If Maddie grew up in a house like this, underworld shit wasn’t for her innocent ears. She might not even know it existed.

“The bad kind, but it’ll be over soon.”

“I like your shoes.”

She smiled and held up her foot so they could admire the kickass shoe together. “Thanks. What’s your shoe size?”

“Eight.”

She winked. “Your shoe collection just imploded. You and I are the same size. Whatever you want, feel free to take.”

Maddie’s mouth dropped. “What?”

She waved a hand. “I mostly use my shoes once anyway. Actually, Lyla’s the same size too, so you can steal her shit too.”

“Lyla?”

“My cousin. She’s married to Gavin.”

“The CEO of Pyre Casinos?” Maddie asked in a strangled voice.

“That’s him,” she said dryly.

She jerked her head toward the kitchen where their parents were eating donuts, drinking decaf coffee, and giggling like teenagers.

“How long have you known about them?”

“From their first date.” Maddie gave her a small smile. “Mom’s great.”

Hearing Maddie call her mom that gave her all the feels. Life definitely moved on. She cleared her throat. “She sure is.”

“My mom died when I was eleven. Breast cancer,” Maddie said quietly. “Dad’s been alone for a long time. I’m happy for him.”

“So am I.”

“I know about your husband,” Maddie said quietly. “It was in the papers.”

She let out a long breath. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

She nodded because there was nothing to say.

“We spread Mom’s ashes in the backyard. We’d never sell this house because of that.”

Carmen looked around at what felt like a sprawling ranch house. “I can see why. It’s beautiful.”

“I’m boarding at college to give them privacy.” Maddie tilted her head toward their parents. “But I like to come home when I don’t have classes. Levi is going to freak out.”

“Levi?”

“My brother.” Maddie crossed her arms and grinned. “I don’t know what he’s going to notice first. You or that Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante.”

Carmen grinned. “You know your cars.”

“You’re forced to when you live with mechanics.”

She settled into her corner of the couch and hugged an oversized pillow to her chest. “This is nice.”

This house seemed untouched by anything twisted and evil. Mom looked comfortable and settled here. The pictures on the mantle and walls showed a happy family who had lived a full life. Despite the years it had been since Marv’s wife passed, the house still maintained the essence of her. Marv didn’t become resentful or abusive. He took care of his family and worked hard, and the result was here in front of her. Maddie had grown up without a mother, but she seemed secure and grounded. She wasn’t resentful of their presence.

“You’re taking this well,” she said.

Maddie’s brows rose. “I am?”

“We’re moving in on your turf.”

Maddie laughed, and the beautiful sound was music to her ears. “I freaked out when I first found out, but I met Mom and …” She shrugged. “Some things are meant to be, you know?” She glanced into the kitchen before she leaned forward. “Dad told me how you reacted.” She gave her two thumbs up. “What’s good for them is good for us, right?”

That painful clenching sensation in her chest eased ever so slightly. Maddie’s innocence made the night at The Pussy seem like a bad dream rather than something she participated in. Carmen rose and gave her new sister a long hug before she settled beside her on the couch.

“Yes, what’s good for them is good for us,” she agreed.

Maddie’s wise eyes tracked her face. “You need a nap.”

Carmen let out a choked laugh. “I do.” She needed a lot of things, but a nap sounded the best at the moment. Maddie smelled of vanilla and honey. She settled against her sister who didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable. This seemed like a good place to lick her raw wounds and recover.

“You want to watch Psych?” Maddie asked.

“What’s Psych?”

“It’s a show about a guy who’s super observant and solves crimes from clues police post on the news. When he tries to collect his reward money for solving a crime, they think he’s a suspect, so he has to act like a psychic instead. It’s really funny.”

She settled against Maddie. “That sounds perfect. I’m in.”