“That’s when Alex turned bad?”
“Alex was always a little bad, Pri. He wasn’t ever right in the head. Dad and I knew. We always knew. We sheltered Mom from that side of him. And Raf was so much younger than Alex, he was spared at least some of Alex’s shit.”
“What does Raf think happened to Alex?”
“He believes he was killed while undercover, which isn’t wrong. He was. And one day I really will tell him the story. He deserves to know. And so do you.”
She strokes my cheek. “And when the time is right, you will.” Her hand falls away. “Which brings us to now,” she adds. “And why you can’t tell me. Whether we leave tomorrow morning or tomorrow night isn’t the real issue, now is it? If I drop the case, we could run away and hide for the rest of our lives, but I leave my parents at Waters’ mercy. If I continue with the case through trial, they’re at his mercy. I feel like a horrible person for saying this, but sometimes,” she cuts her gaze, “sometimes—”
“Sometimes what, Pri?” I prod softly.
Her chin lifts and her eyes meet mine. “I wish you would have killed him.”
I turn to her, hands on her shoulders. “I can’t turn back time, but we can still end this.”
“How?”
“Once I tape my testimony, killing me doesn’t save him.”
“Even if that’s true, he’ll be out in no time. You know that.”
“And he has friends, I know enough to turn them into enemies. I’ll make his freedom his nightmare.”
“I—I don’t even know if I can get that to fly. The defense will fight hard to stop that from happening.”
“I’ll make him take a deal.”
“Sometimes it’s safer in prison than out.”
“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.” She scoots off the bed and starts to pace before she turns to me. “I need to talk to my parents, Adrian. I need to be sure we know what we’re dealing with.”
“Agreed.”
“And we can’t leave until I make the deal.”
“All right then,” I say. “It looks like we’re staying.”Chapter Forty-TwoPRI
I wake to the pinch of light between the curtain, and the heat of Adrian’s body where I’m nestled under his shoulder, on his chest. I’d revel in the feel of him close to me if not for the sudden voice at the end of the bed.
“Wakey wakey, love birds.”
Adrian’s head pops up. “What the fuck, Lucifer?”
I jerk to full awake mode and sit up, thankful I’m in Adrian’s shirt. “What is happening?”
Adrian slides up the headboard, naked to the waist. “Damn it, Lucifer, can you knock? What if she’d been naked?”
Lucifer tosses a handful of peanut M & M’s into his mouth. “Headed to the office early. Got in late. Thought you might want to hear about dinner with Grace.” He motions behind him. “And I brought you your briefcase, Pri. I stuffed everything on your desk inside.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I really needed that.”
“Are you seriously eating my candy?” Adrian demands.
“You always say it’s the breakfast of champions,” Lucifer claps back, and grabs another handful.
“Did she really invite you or did you invite her?” I ask, now fully cognizant. “And please tell me you didn’t sleep with my friend and break her heart.”
He finishes his candy. “I don’t play where I work,” he says. “We talked. She said Josh has been acting nervous and he took over the office today, which was out of character.”
“Yesterday,” Adrian says. “He took over yesterday.”
“Right,” Lucifer says. “Yesterday. She thinks he’s being blackmailed to help Waters or some shit. I think he’s dirty, but I can’t find the electronic trail to back it up. We’re taking a closer look at him.”
“What about Cindy?” Adrian asks.
“Cindy?” I ask. “What about Cindy?”
“Sorry, baby,” Adrian murmurs. “I forgot to tell you. Savage followed her. He got some vibe off her.”
“Nothing to tell,” Lucifer says. “She got takeout and went home last night. We’re monitoring her calls now. I’ll keep an eye on her.” He glances at me. “I’m going to tell the team you have meetings and might be by later.”
“Which she won’t,” Adrian says, and when my eyes shoot to his, he adds, “Quid pro quo, baby. We’re not leaving town. I need you to limit your risk.”
“Fine,” I concede. “I’ll work from here today. I have plenty to do before dinner.”
“Then I’m off,” Lucifer says. “I want to do a little digging around before the staff gets in.”
He seals the M & M’s and sets them on the desk, glancing back at Adrian. “In case you get hungry.” And then he’s gone, shutting the door.
I eye the clock that reads six AM. “I swear I need a run right now,” I say.
Adrian pulls me beneath him. “This first,” he murmurs. “Then we’ll hit the gym downstairs in the basement.”
I never get the chance to ask about that gym. He kisses me and I forget all about anything but him.