Page 99 of Broken Mercy
“It was definitely a long term plan.”
“I take it things are good then? With you and my daughter?”
“They’re good,” I say, not willing to go into more detail. As much as I love Tallie, I still don’t trust her father.
“I hope so. I wasn’t sure about you when Arsen made his plans clear, but you’ve grown on me. I think you’ve grown on my daughter too.” He beams at me as I step out into the sunlight. “Any grandchildren on the way?”
“I don’t know. I mean, we haven’t?—“
“Get to fucking work then!” He slams the door before I can say anything and leaves me alone on the stoop.
Fucking hell. I look up at the trees, gathering myself, as my future burns away in a barrel in the back yard of my father-in-law’s massive house. How’d I get here? Willingly throwing away everything I’ve built?
I take a trip to a donation center and unload all my stuff. Tallie’s waiting for me as the sun droops a couple hours later, sitting in our small back garden, watching the first spring fireflies. She smiles, brightening when I walk out to her, and kisses me back when I bend down.
“How was it?” she asks.
I slump into a chair. “About what you’d expect.”
“I’m sorry I missed it.”
“No, you’re not, and that’s okay.” I take her hand and hold it. The night’s quiet. “I’m starving, but I don’t want to get up.”
“We can stay here as long as you want.”
“Are you sure about that?”
She squeezes my hand and leans over to kiss my neck. “I’m extremely positive.”
EPILOGUE: TALIN
Three Months Later
“I wantto say for the record that I fucking hate this.” Sam dumps a massive black bag onto his desk and brushes his hands on his pants like he’s cleaning off filth.
“There’s no record.” I peer inside. It’s packed with money. “If I check your books, is this going to be the right amount?”
“Yes, sir.” He looks aggrieved.
“And if I check the other books, the ones you have hidden?—“
“No such thing.”
“—in that loose board behind your desk, the numbers willstillbe right.”
Now he looks angry. “How do you know about that?”
“I’m married to the best thief in Baltimore, remember?”
“Tell Brenden to stay out of my stuff. It’s his fault I’m in this mess.”
“No, it’s your fault. He saves your life. Don’t forget it. Now, are the numbers right?”
“They’re right.” Sam slumps back into his chair with a deep, emotional sigh. “Despite my best intentions.”
“I’m not even going to think too hard about that.” I sling the bag over my shoulder. It’s surprisingly heavy. “Arsen wants you to double your games, by the way.”
Sam flinches back. “Seriously?”
