I walk through the ginormous kitchen; seriously, it’s huge. I don’t know what I will do with all the cabinet space. I spot the stone fireplace I’m already in love with in the corner of the living room. And then I walk outside onto the deck that could easily hold fifty people. I was right; it has a view of a canyon full of evergreens and a private lake. The view is breathtaking.
“The house has four bedrooms, three baths, a jacuzzi, and this view. And you’re telling me the man who did all of this isn’t your father?”
Tears, damn tears. My father did all of this for me. He ensured I lived, no matter the cost.
“He even started on a nursery, but then figured you would want to be able to decorate it yourself.”
For the first time, despite the pain, I can see a future. One that isn’t just bleak. One that isn’t just dripping in pain. One where I can learn to live again.
My father is in my life again. And I decide here and now to give him a fresh start. Whatever his past mistakes, he loves me now. And I need people that love me.
And despite Beckett being hired by my father, he could become a good friend too. Nothing more—we would never be lovers. Never fall in love. But we could be friends.
This is my life now. And for the
first time, I feel like I’m finally letting go of my past. I’m finally facing my future.
And then I feel the pain in my stomach. It rips through my body like fire. Shuttering any promise that the future is going to be bright. I grip my stomach as I fall to the floor in pain.
This can’t be happening. The baby has to be okay. Because as much as I’m letting go, I can’t let go of the only piece I have left of Enzo.
7
Enzo
I dropped Langston off in Miami, before taking a flight to Los Angeles. By now he has already disappeared. If I return to Miami, I won’t find him. And I don’t know if that comforts me or rips my heart out more.
This isn’t goodbye. It’s just temporary. He’s alive, but for now, he has to remain dead.
Now, I’m in LA. And I have no idea if this is a dead-end or not. What would Felix be doing in LA? Is he hiding? Regrouping? If he is trying to get control of my technology, money, and team, then he is in the wrong place. Miami is where he needs to be.
This is definitely a dead end. I should do my own research to find Felix. But Langston was always the best at hunting people down, digging into their pasts.
I’m on my own.
I head into the first bar I see, knowing if anyone is going to know about criminal activity in this city, it’s going to be in a bar. But more importantly, I need a drink.
I hate sitting at the bar. I feel exposed; you have to make small talk with the bartender and the other people sitting at the bar. But it's the best place to find out any information about whether or not Felix is here. Sitting at the goddamn bar.
There is only one person sitting at the bar, though—a blonde woman in a tight red dress.
Holy shit!
It can’t be…
I’m dreaming. I have to be. Even if Liesel is alive, the chances of me seeing her while walking into the first bar I see in one of the biggest cities in the country is astronomical. The odds are not in my favor. I’m definitely dreaming.
But the woman turns as if sensing something important is happening behind her.
Our eyes connect.
Then our hearts.
This is real.
She stands, dropping her glass of chardonnay on the floor as we run into each other’s arms.
“You’re alive,” we both say at the same time as my arms wrap around her tiny frame, and she buries her tear-streaked face in my chest.