Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“But I have to deal with the uncertainty of going home. You tell me everyone will be happy to see me. But I’m not so sure. Some people will think I’ve been selfish. Some people will think I’m responsible for the blood that has been spilled in this war since my disappearance.”
I let her words sink in. She’s right, of course. Even though I know her side of the story now, I understand at least a small part of me used to think she was immature for leaving the way she did. Leveling my gaze at her, I say, “Or they’ll be relieved to know that no more blood will be sacrificed. Maybe they’ll even be grateful.”
Grace stares at me like the answers to all her questions about the future are written on my face, like I’m a crystal ball. Her full lips part. “I don’t know.”
“Come home with me, Grace,” I plead.
The longer we delay this, the more risks we face. Of course, she doesn’t know this. She doesn’t know my dad’s getting impatient.
“I am worried about Jack too, by the way,” she adds. “He doesn’t even know who you really are yet. I thought that was our next step.”
The way she says “our next step” makes my heart swell. She’s already talking about us like we’re a unit, like we’re a team. Things are moving in the right direction, but I’m worried it’s not happening quickly enough.
Last night, after I put Jack to bed, I realized I’d made a mistake. When I was on the phone with my dad, I told him I’d come home “as soon as I find them.”
Them. Not her.
It was a simple slip of the tongue. I was distracted by Lily and Jack waiting at the door, worried the doorbell was going to wake up Grace from the slumber she sorely needed.
But my dad’s an attentive man when he wants to be. It’s a necessity in the business. Sometimes, it’s the little things that end up saving someone’s life—or costing someone’s life if he makes a mistake.
He hasn’t said anything, but I know he wouldn’t even if he has found out about Jack—his grandson. He prefers to take advantage of the element of surprise when he can. He strikes before his enemy is even aware of any danger.
I’ve always admired the way my dad works. But now that I’m a possible target of his attack, it’s terrifying. I don’t know when—or if—he’ll make a move.
Does he know Jack’s his grandson? Should I tell him and lose any advantage I have over him? Or should I keep quiet until Grace is ready to go home?
“Telling Jack can wait,” I say to Grace. “We can go home first and wait until we settle into a nice routine, then tell him when he’s ready. He’s three. I don’t know if he’d even understand it if we told him now.”
Grace and I share a look. Even if I don’t say anything, she knows there’s danger lurking just around the corner.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen. I don’t have all the answers. I fucked up, and that could mean we have less time to consider our options.
But I’m going to make things right if it killed me. We just need to go home first. All three of us.
Grace
What a roller coaster today has been.
I woke up to a shirtless Matteo carrying a happy Jack in his arms. I didn’t even have to cook because he took care of that too. And then he told me we need to go home now.
Taking a deep breath, I let hot water wash over me. At least this part of my day is somewhat normal. Nobody’s in the shower enclosure with me—which isn’t entirely a good thing, to be honest.
Matteo didn’t say we’d be in danger if we didn’t rush home right away. He didn’t have to. I could see it in his eyes, hear it in the tone of his voice.
My showers take five minutes these days. I can’t leave Jack alone for long even if he’s taking a nap, and even if Matteo can pick up the slack for me.
With a towel wrapped around my head and the most presentable house clothes I can find in my wardrobe, I head to Jack’s room to check up on him. This is what I do every time I take a shower with Jack in the house.
But unlike all the other times before, Jack’s crib is empty. He’s not here.
Maybe he woke up while I was in the shower. It wouldn’t have been the first time. Matteo might’ve taken him to the kitchen to find something to eat.
I check the kitchen first, then the living room, then my own bedroom, then the bathroom, then back to Jack’s room.
He’s nowhere to be found. I stare at the crib in disbelief as though I can make him materialize out of thin air.