A small smile pops on her face. “If you’re worried about the…package, don’t. The police are doing their best. This is a priority for them.”
I’m sure it is. She raised a huge sum of money for college scholarships for LAPD officers’ children last year. The chief and others will feel a sense of obligation.
“Besides, we have a good security team at the foundation, and Ryder’s mansion is like a fortress,” she adds.
“You’re going to continue to stay with your brother?”
“Yes. I’ve decided to be closer to the foundation for a while.”
Her expression remains serene, but I know there’s more. Unless I’m mistaken, she lives in Virginia. Julian lives there as well. And speaking of Julian…
“I read the article about your father and you and your siblings.”
“That tabloid nonsense?” She shrugs. “I’m surprised you follow such junk. It’s all lies. Ryder and Elliot already disavowed everything. Surely you’ve seen their interviews and statements.”
Probably everybody has seen them, but not everyone believes them. And there are people like me who know the truth.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” The words roll out before I can catch them.
She blinks once. “Have you given up on your plan to strip me bare and take what matters the most to me?” She looks at me, her expression somewhere between hope and resignation. And my answer catches in my throat. I’m not certain if I’ve given up on anger and pain, but I also can’t stand the idea of her hurting.
“Tell me what happened,” I say.
“What do you mean?”
“Tell me how Dorothy ended up with something on you ten years ago.”
Her lips part. “That’s why you thought I was part of a plan to put you in jail.” She nods. “Now it makes sense.”
“I don’t think—”
“If I tell you, will you believe me? No matter how crazy and how different it is from what you’ve accepted as fact?”
The question hangs in the air, and I feel like a man at a precipice. If I make the jump, I can be on the other side, bright and sunny. If I slip, I’m going to fall into the abyss.
When I don’t answer immediately, she leans back in her seat and bursts out laughing. She looks toward the ceiling and blinks rapidly.
“Eliz—”
“Don’t.” She raises a hand. “I know.” She sniffs once, then collects herself. “Don’t ask to see me again, Dominic. I’m going to give you what you said you wanted. Then we won’t owe each other anything.” Her mouth curves into a brilliant smile, even though her eyes glitter with unshed tears.
The sight guts me, almost causing me to gasp at the searing pain deep in my chest.
You idiot. You never thought about what happens after…
I’ve read articles and books about how people struggle after achieving their goals because the goals themselves don’t deliver what they expected. The sense of accomplishment and pride is fleeting, and immediately followed by emptiness and feeling lost.
And right now, I feel just like that—even though I haven’t accomplished anything. “Elizabeth—”
“I wish you the best, Dominic. I hope you find everything you’re looking for.” She stands, grabbing her purse.
Then, very quietly, she walks away.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Elizabeth
Julian’s suite is much swankier than I expected. Las Vegas casinos treat him like a king. He gambles at least four times a year, betting tens of thousands of dollars a hand.