Darius Riviera?Where do I know that name from?
Ellen rambles on, seeming flustered. “Looks like your stepfamily is kind of famous. Darius Riviera is a violinist. He’s been playing at a concert hall downtown for the last few nights.”
My jaw drops. “Are you serious?”
“It’s not something I’d joke about.”
I snort. “Well, they’re not going to want to know about me, are they? I can just picture that conversation.” I throw up my hands. “What the hell are they going to do with me?”
“Actually, your stepfather is on his way here now. He really wants to see you again.”
“I don’t even know his name.”
Her eyes widen with surprise. “Oh, right. Sorry. His name is Reed Riviera.”
I harden my jaw and angle my head. “I hope he doesn’t think I’m going to call him Daddy.”
The knowledge that my estranged stepfather is rich punches me in the chest. I think of all the hours I’ve worked, the sleep I’ve lost, the exams I’ve come close to failing—not because I’m stupid, but because I’ve been too exhausted to study and almost fell asleep in class. This man could have stopped all of that in an instant, but he chose not to. He chose to walk away and forget about us.
Her tone softens. “You don’t have to choose this option. We can find you a placement in foster care instead.”
But my curiosity has been piqued. “I guess I can give it a try with Reed. It’ll only be for a week, until I turn eighteen, right? If it doesn’t work out, I can always contact you and go for the foster care option.”
She nods and finds a business card with her number on it for me. “Of course. It’s whatever is best for you, Laney.”
Right now, I’m thinking about how I could just go with my stepfather and then run away. I can’t imagine anyone will put too much effort into finding me again. Just another kid lost in the system.
I glance back at the trailer. “What about all my stuff?”
She follows my line of sight. Yellow police tape has been strung across the doorway.
“We’ll have to get that sent on to you,” she says.
One of the police officers approaches. “Miss Laney Flores? I’m afraid I’m going to need to ask you some questions.”
My stomach drops. I knew this was coming, but I still don’t want to speak to him. He’s going to make me relive everything that’s just happened, and that’s the last thing I want. I’m also anxious that I’ll be in trouble for moving Mom, or that the police will have found drugs in the trailer and will want to know if they’re mine. What if they try to put Mom’s death on me, framing things to make it look like I was the one who killed her?
Ellen stays with me—I think because legally I’m supposed to have an adult with me when questioned rather than because of any actual care for my wellbeing—but I’m glad not to be doing this alone.
I didn’t need to worry. The cop is surprisingly kind, and it seems my mother’s record is enough to back up my version of events.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but the crunch of car wheels approaching gets my attention and an expensive black Mercedes pulls up nearby. Is that him? Is my stepfather here already?
The driver’s door opens. I hold my breath, my blood heating with anticipation, but the man who gets out is short, and in his sixties, and is wearing a driver’s hat. He goes to the rear door and opens it.
A second man climbs out, unfolding his tall, lean body from the back seat. He straightens and smooths down his gray suit jacket. His dark hair is immaculately cut, just a few flecks of white at the temple, and his square jaw is smoothly shaven. He has the air of a man who other men take seriously, and he’s drawn the attention of everyone nearby.
The sight of him has a physical impact on me. Is it memory? Do I remember him and that’s why my heart is tripping, as though it doesn’t know what sort of pace it’s supposed to go, and my blood is suddenly on fire in my veins?
I have no doubt who this man is. It can only be Reed Riviera.
I’m about to be reunited with my stepfather.
Chapter Two
Reed
“LANEY?”