Page 56

I don’t feel sorry for her. I had my own sociopaths at home.
“Listen, I have to go. There’s someone waiting for me.”
“Maybe we can talk later?”
“I’m not sure there’s much to talk about, Naomi.”
“So you have zero interest in talking to me? Ever?”
“At this moment in time, my answer is no. I’m still angry at all the lies you’ve told and how you didn’t have my back at all when your father took me.”
“My relationship with my father is complicated, Megan. I am a different person when I’m around him.”
“That’s obvious.”
She sighs heavily. “Can you at least let Hunter know that I called you.”
“What does this have to do with Hunter?”
“My father was in Los Angeles, and when he was there, they had a meeting. I don’t know what they discussed. All I know is that my father came home and gave me permission to call you, which is another way of giving an order.”
“Your father was here?” I ask softly. “In Los Angeles?”
“Did Hunter not even bother to mention it?”
“So you called me because you were ordered to,” I state plainly.
“I didn’t think I had the right to call you after all that I kept from you.”
“And so you were never going to call and explain yourself?”
“That’s what I’m doing a piss poor job of right now.”
“You haven’t explained anything, Naomi. You haven’t once explained why you thought it was a smart idea to take on a whole new identity and never tell your best friend about it.”
“Telling you about my life in New Orleans would have only put you in danger.”
“Yet here we are.”
“I realize now that there’s no escaping danger when it comes to my family, and I’m also finally realizing that your fiance may be the one person who can help me break free from them.”
“If you think Hunter is going to help you with anything, you’re delusional. He’ll never forgive you for your part in this, Naomi. He just won’t, and I’m not sure I can either.”
“Funny how he’s still communicating with my father, though. I’m not even fucking Gabriel, but I know if someone kidnapped me, he would have already put them six feet under.”
“Is that what you want?” I ask, horrified. “You want Hunter to kill your father so you don’t have to?”
I’m feeling slightly nauseous now. It’s pretty evident that the baby doesn’t like it when I argue with people. Not to mention that I’ve been on this call way longer than I intended. Miss John is probably ten seconds away from ditching this lunch meeting.
“Don’t answer that,” I tell Naomi. “You’ve followed your father’s orders and called me. I need to go.”
“Megan, I’m all messed up in the head. I need another chance to explain myself.”
“There’s nothing to explain. Not anymore. I sincerely wish you luck, Naomi. I hope you figure out a way to get out of this ridiculous marriage arrangement. But you’re not who I thought you were. I don’t know who you are, and I’m not sure I ever will. There’s just no room in my life for that type of doubt when I’m about to bring a new life into the world.” I inadvertently rub my rounded abdomen. “My baby is all that matters now.”
And before I give her any more room to protest, I press the red button on my phone screen to end the call. But as I go back to my meeting, I can’t help but ruminate over what Hunter could be up to meeting with Naomi’s father.
My stomach swirls again.