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“And maybe that should hurt, but after feeling like shit most of my life, I kind of feel… free.” The realization felt like a metric ton of bullshit sliding off her shoulders.

Carmen cupped her face, holding her close. “If at any point that feeling changes, I’m here to listen.” Her brows furrowed. “And I’m still sorry—”

“I’m happy you were here,” Lola whispered, hands finding Carmen’s hips the way she had every day since leaving Redpine. She wished she knew the words to express herself. Wished she could confess that she loved her, but this couldn’t be the right time for a declaration like that, so she said the next thing on her mind. “You’re so intimidating in lawyer mode.”

Chuckling, Carmen shook her head.

“Lola,” Martina neared with a slip of paper in her hand. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

Instead of snapping, Lola turned to her, an unnatural calm flowing through her body.

“Sky Bamford sent a note.” Martina held it up as if to prove she wasn’t lying. “She wants to see you. Right now.”

Dread grabbed Lola by the throat and dragged her backward into an icy abyss.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

CHAPTER59

“I thoughtBamford wouldn’t talk to us because of some stupid subpoena,” Lola said as they ascended toward the penthouse. “Then it’s not about the lawsuit,” she continued, voicing Carmen’s fears. “She found out about my mother. My mother did something when security—”

Carmen slipped her hand in hers. “Let’s wait and see what she says. Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”

Lola’s gulp was audible, her dark eyes stricken and exhausted. Despite saying she felt free after her mother’s display, it was obvious the day had taken its toll.

“The woman turned her Miami penthouse into a freaking tiny fox sanctuary. I don’t think dealing with it—”

“Trust me,” Carmen said, squeezing her hand and holding her gaze. “I got you. Let’s wait to react when we know what we’re actually dealing with. The monsters in your head are never honest. They’re always worse than the ones out here,” she said, reminding her of what the therapist had said.

Taking a deep breath, Lola nodded and Carmen could see her physically trying not to lose her shit. A definite improvement.

The elevator doors opened directly into the lavish penthouse reception area. Carmen took in the familiar polished marble floors and ornately carved wooden accents. Though the assistant’s desk sat vacant, memories of their last bizarre visit came flooding back. It felt like a million years ago.

Lola tensed beside her, no doubt recalling the same encounter with Fortune and the shocking desert habitat that was Bamford’s office. Carmen gave her hand a bolstering squeeze. Whatever awaited them, they would face it together.

They approached the imposing carved doors, exchanging an apprehensive look. Fortune, gray hair now adorned with a shock of green to match the sea foam fabrics flowing around her, smiled when she opened the door.

“We can’t speak to you without your lawyers present,” Carmen said a second after recovering from the surprise of seeing her.

“Oh, there’s no more silly lawsuit,” Fortune replied, voice calm and energy soothing.

“Come in, girls,” Bamford called from beyond the sand dunes of her insane office. “The kits have been chasing each other out the door all week.”

“What do you mean there’s no more lawsuit?” Carmen asked when they stepped inside.

“Don’t you get notices on your phone, dear?” Fortune asked like she was Mary Freaking Poppins coming to rescue them. “I thought you would have seen it hours ago.”

“It’s been a busy day—” Carmen started.

“Why would you drop it?” Lola barked while Carmen opened her phone to dig through her backlog of unread emails.

Bamford stood from her rock slab desk and tossed a ball into the distance. Three small white foxes darted out from behind her desk and gave chase. Damn, those little guys were cute.

“There is no longer a need for it,” Bamford said when she joined them near the door, a colorful bird flying overhead. The woman’s wispy white hair was styled like soft-serve ice cream that didn’t move when she turned her attention on Fortune. “When Fortune told me this would happen, I have to say I had my doubts.” She turned to them and smiled. “And ahead of schedule.”

“Ahead of schedule?” Lola’s tone was growing sharper. “What the hell do you mean?”

Finding the notice of dismissal in her email, Carmen passed it over to Lola. Fortune wasn’t lying. She’d really dropped the suit.