Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I run my hand over my peach-fuzz head. “I just don’t know. I thought he would help that little girl.”
“Vinnie’s not a stupid man. If he says he can’t help her, he has a reason.”
“I’m beginning to rethink everything,” I say. “I love him more than I love my next breath of air, but maybe… Maybe sometimes you have to follow your head instead of your heart.”
Falcon nods. “Unfortunately, sometimes you do. I’ll be the first person to give you the advice to follow your heart, Ray. Especially after what you’ve been through. But I also value your life. You fought hard to have one. I don’t want to see you put in jeopardy.”
“Yeah. You’re right.” I rise and signal to Jared. “I think I want to go home, Falcon. I don’t think I’m needed here. Would you keep me advised of Caroline’s situation?”
“Yeah, of course.”
We both jerk as Mario Bianchi, Declan McAllister, and Belinda walk by, but we regain our composure quickly.
I smile at Belinda and wave.
She looks away from me.
Once they’re back out of earshot, I turn to my brother. “God, Falcon. She went to Vinnie for help. She came to me for help. And I had known her for all of fifteen seconds when she did. I can’t just turn away from her.”
Falcon takes a deep breath in. “I don’t think you have a choice.”
“I can call social services, tell them what I think is going on.”
“It wouldn’t do any good, and you know it. Declan McAllister’s way more powerful than anyone in social services. Belinda is probably trained like a seal in exactly what to say. Most likely they’ve been through it before.”
I sigh. My brother is no doubt right. The nanny knows and has been trying to help her for ages, I’m sure. Social services would have been her first call.
But it just pains me to think of what may be happening to that little girl.
Why does he dress her like that? She’s eleven. Not seven.
“Are you ready, Raven?” Jared asks.
“Yeah. Let’s go home.”
I don’t stop at my parents’ house on the way home. Instead, I instruct Jared to take me to my own home. It’s time I move in and get on with my life. I’m perfectly safe here with the state-of-the-art security and, of course, Jared.
Once I’m home, I tell Jared I’m going to my room to do some work on my foundation.
Brick got me started, but now it’s time for me to use my name and make some phone calls.
I need funding, and I want to begin with a big gala.
I’ll foot the bill myself from my own trust fund.
It’s time to let Vinnie go.
And concentrate on my own life, what’s important to me.
He has his job to do.
And so do I.
36
VINNIE
I get back to the hospital, and my grandfather and Declan McAllister are no longer there. Falcon is sitting in the waiting area.
“Just you?”
He looks up at me, his gaze wary. His tone is artificially even as he speaks to me. “Savannah’s in with your mother. She’s coming in and out of consciousness. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”
I walk back to my mother’s room.
Savannah is sitting next to the bed, holding onto my mother’s frail hand. “Hey, Vinnie,” she says.
“Hey.” I squeeze her shoulder. “Why don’t you go? I’ll sit with her for a while. I’m sorry I was gone for so long.”
“She’ll be happy to see you.” She lets out a light laugh. “She was even pretty happy to see me.”
“She loves you, Sav. You know that.”
“I know. I just have to accept the fact that women aren’t as valuable as men in her world.”
I lean in and lower my voice. “Her world won’t be around for much longer if I have anything to say about it.”
She lets go of Mom’s hand and rises. “I’ll go sit with Falcon for a while in the waiting area. Let me know if she wakes up or if you need me for anything.”
“Will do.” I take the chair where Savannah was sitting. “And Sav?”
She turns in the doorway. “Yeah?”
I sigh. “Hold on to Falcon. He’s a good guy.”
She smiles. “Don’t I know it.” She leaves the ICU unit.
I redirect my attention to my mother, grabbing her hand. “I’m here, Mom.”
Her eyelids flutter. “Vinnie?” she rasps out.
I squeeze her hand. “Yeah, I’m here.”
She winces. “I have to…tell you something.”
“Okay.”
“You need to know.” She closes her eyes. “You were always my favorite. Even after how you came into the world.”
I smile. “It was a tough labor. I know.”
“No. I mean…” Her voice cracks. “Your grandfather…”
“Yes, I know he was here.”
“Your father…”
“I’m working with our attorneys to get him a furlough to come see you.”
“Yes. But no. I mean. Your father…”
I wrinkle my forehead. What is she trying to say? “Yes, Mom? What is it?”