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“I know you don’t want me getting involved, but I don’t have a choice. Don’t try to stop me. I have to find out.”
As much as I despise Ruby, she’s Claire’s grandmother. While she’s been vile to me, she’s been kind to Claire. Basic humanity doesn’t want me to see Ruby ripped to shreds by a violent cartel. Not even Ruby should have to pay for Peter’s crimes.
Dad shakes his head somberly. I expect him to lecture me about letting the authorities handle it and to keep myself uninvolved, but after studying my resolute expression, he says, “Wehave to find out.”
“Dad, you don’t have to?—”
“Nathan,” he interjects firmly. “Ruby’s trying to keep her kid safe. And so am I. You go, I go. End of discussion.” He pulls his keys out of his pocket and dangles them in front of me. “Come on, I’ll drive.”
45
Spencer
As soon as I wake up, I check my phone. Nothing.
Nathan didn’t come home last night. He warned me he’d have to cross state lines. I’m worried for him. I’m worried for his dad. And Ruby.
I pity her, truly. Only a mother’s love could be blinding enough to see Peter for what he could be, instead of what he is. I hope I’m never in that position with Charlie, but if it were to come to that, how would I behave? Would I continue to protect her to everybody else’s detriment?
Nathan’s bed is far too big for one person. It’s uncomfortable lying here alone. Or maybe that’s the worry. I forgot that love has an ugly partner—fear. Once you have something you care about, you realize what it would mean for someone to take it away.
There’s a soft knock at the door. Probably the girls politely requesting I get the hell up and start on breakfast. Claire and Charlie eat nonstop. After pizza last night came popcorn. Then strawberries and pretzels with chocolate dip. Then dry cereal as a late-night snack. They’re so teensy, I don’t know where the hell they’re putting it.
“Come in.”
Sitting up, I swing my legs over the side of the bed. I stretch my arms overhead and take in a deep breath to fill my lungs.
“Spence?” Charlie asks from the door. She’s still in her pink-and-teal llama pajama set. They’re so cute, if they were remotely close to my size, I’d steal them.
“Good morning. Are you guys up?”
“I am. Claire’s still sleeping.”
I pat the bed, inviting my sister in. She scuttles in with quick feet, then leaps freely onto the mattress, landing next to me with her arms spread out. It doesn’t jostle me. Nathan’s bed is that special kind of memory foam that absorbs movement. “Someone’s in a good mood,” I say.
“I can’t believe I get to have three sleepover nights with my best friend. That’s like the lottery. We’re going to do manicures and pedicures today. Can we borrow your purple polish?”
“Sure.”
“And the clear glitter?”
“Why not.”
“And we’ll base coat and top coat.Oh!And we need rose petals for the foot soak.”
“Charlie,” I grumble, tapping my temples with two fingers. “I’m going to need thirty minutes and two cups of coffee before you start being a handful this morning, okay?”
“Okay,” she says through a giggle.
“I love how happy you are though. How’s Claire doing? Did she mention anything about Nathan?” Sue me. I need a little intel from my sister.
“Not much. She said they used to be like best friends. Nathan almost married her mom. Did you know that?”
I bow my head slightly. “I did.”
“Claire said something…” Charlie sits up, and a cloudy, sorrowful expression ages her young face. “It made me wonder…”
“What, babes? What did she say?” Pivoting, I turn my knee, facing Charlie.