“Um…”
“I thought I would bring us home dinner. We sit outside and drink some wine. Talk.”
“Like a date?”
“Just like a date.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“I’m going to wrap a few things up, then I should be home in about an hour.”
“I’ll be waiting.” The words sound like a promise. One I intend on holding her to.
Just as I’m about to leave work, Mark stops me. “I just got a call from the police.”
“And?”
“Edgar has an alibi, an airtight one.”
“That can’t be.” I groan. “Someone was there.” And I don’t think it was some kids messing around, not anymore.
“I know. I agree, but it wasn’t Edgar.”
“Then who?” He doesn’t even have to answer. I can already read what he’s thinking. “Devlin.”
All of this has been nothing more than a set-up. He hired us to make sure that we weren’t onto him.
I recall the condescending smile on his face
“Ember’s alone. We have to get to her… Now!”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
Ember
I’m still smiling from my conversation with Ryder when I walk into Amelia’s room.
“You’re smiling. Does that mean you’re not sad anymore?” Amelia asks.
“Not anymore,” I tell her as I go into her closet and pull out some fresh pajamas for her.
“Aw, is it bedtime already?” she whines.
“Getting there.” I set her clothes on the bed.
“I’m going to take a shower, and when I get back, we’ll read a book, okay?”
“Yay.”
For the first time in days, I feel light as air. Everything I had been afraid of leaving behind when I left Devlin is inconsequential. The only thing that matters now is us—me, Ryder, and Amelia, our little family.
It looks like, despite all the shit I put us through, we’re still a family.
Just as I’m about to step into the shower, I hear something that sounds like something breaking. I listen for a moment, and when I don’t hear anything more, I step into the warm shower. After these past few weeks and all the drama, I am over the moon about the prospects for tonight. Standing under the hot water, I allow myself a moment to fantasize about what he’ll say, what we’ll do.
All thoughts stop when I hear something again. This time the sound is louder, closer.
“Amelia?” I call out, sticking my head out of the glass shower door. “Amelia, are you okay?”