I looked into his eyes and saw nothing but what had always been there—genuine concern for me. It felt odd to recognize it for what it was, but I knew it had always been there from the beginning. Maybe I could see it now because of Lia and her influence over me. I didn’t know for sure; I only knew she made me see things differently—clearer and with a mindset more toward what I could be, not what I have been.
“Well, I thought you might like to know I don’t think I’ll be seeing that kid anymore,” I said. “You know—the one with the bombs strapped to him.”
“I remember.”
“Yeah, I think he’s gone.”
“Why do you think that?” Mark asked.
“Because now I know why I kept seeing him.”
“How did you figure that out?” Mark asked as he appraised me.
“He told me,” I said with a shrug. He raised an eyebrow, and I snickered. “I guess I told myself. Anyway, it’s kind of why I’m leaving. Well, partially.”
“Are you taking Lia with you?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“I can only hope this is a good move for you, Evan. Let me know where you end up, and I’ll recommend someone to continue your tr
eatment.”
“Sure,” I said. I looked into his eyes, and we both knew I wasn’t going to do it.
“Are you going to be all right?” he asked.
“I’ll manage,” I said. “Thanks for trying to help me.”
Mark reached out his hand, and I shook it.
“Good luck, Evan.” His tongue darted out over his lips. “If you do ever need anything, let me know, okay?”
“I can do that,” I said with a nod.
We parted.
I finished my shopping and then joined Rinaldo at his office. He shooed Nick out of the room so we could talk privately.
“There’s only one real kind of retirement in this business,” Rinaldo said flatly as soon as we were alone.
I stiffened in the chair across from him.
“So we’re going to say you’re on sabbatical, got it?”
I took a calming breath.
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“You saved my daughter,” he said. “You’ve saved me a number of times. I owe you a little something, but don’t ever forget I may need something from you one day in the future. I’ll respect what you need, but that doesn’t mean we’re parting ways forever, capisce?”
“Capisce.”
“I made sure the contracts were removed from both of you,” Rinaldo said. “That should keep anyone from following you. I also had Lia contact the police in Phoenix and resolve the missing person’s report her ex filed on her. She talked to her mother as well.”
I’d forgotten all about that.
“Thank you, sir.”