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“These are for changing your beneficiary.” He glances at me quickly then focuses on Raven once more. “And also putting Mr. Hunter in charge of any decisions regarding your health and safety.”

“Wait a minute,” I interrupt. “What’s going on, Raven?”

She casts a pleading look at Santini.

“Raven and her sister don’t get along,” he explains. “She has no other family. She’s named you as her beneficiary and is also basically giving you next of kin rights.”

“Babe, you know I’d take care of you no matter what,” I say, stroking her hair.

“I know. I just don’t want Lonnie making any decisions for me.”

“I got you, doll. Always.”

She smiles and signs the papers then more appear out of the briefcase.What exactly does this estate entail?Her dad was a cop. Whatever it is, it sure involves a lot of paperwork.

“These are for the apartment. I don’t know –”

“She’s coming home with me. Forget the apartment,” I say sternly.

We haven’t talked about it, but there’s no way I’m letting her out of my sight. He waits for her consent then places them back in his briefcase when she nods. However, another set of papers come out.

“These I’ll have to explain. Once you sign them, you’ll gain control of a trust fund that was set up when you were a baby,” he tells her.

“Trust fund?” she asks in a confused tone.

“Yes…cash, property, stocks, and bonds. It was stipulated that it be released to you on your eighteenth birthday.”

“Stipulated by whom?”

Santini pauses then squares his shoulders and meets her stare. “Your mother.”

CHAPTER 3

***Raven***

My mother? Bullshit. That bitch doesn’t give a fuck about me.“Are you kidding me?”

“No, Raven. This is something that both your parents have been working on since before you were born. I know you think she gave you up without a second thought, but that’s not true. Your father kept her updated, sent pictures. She wants to meet you.”

My heart flutters. After all these years…she’s been checking up on me? “Why now?”

“You’re an adult now. The agreement she signed doesn’t bind her anymore. In fact, she’s here, in a hotel in Atlanta, waiting for me to call her. She’s giving you the choice. If you say yes, she’ll come. If not, she’ll leave.”

I don’t believe my ears. This woman, who I’ve hated my entire life, is waiting on my say-so to come and meet me. The woman I thought gave me up without a care could be here in a few hours if I wanted her to. Tears threaten as I stand at a crossroads. Do I tell her to fuck off and run back to Mommy and Daddy, or do I give her a chance? A chance to explain her side…to try and mend what was shattered by her parents before I was even born?

Gage swipes a tear from my cheek and I look to him for advice. He smiles down at me and nods.

“I think you should meet her.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you want to hear her side?”

“She left us. That’s all I need to know.”

“Don’t you want to know why?” he prods. “I know you have questions.”

He’s right, as usual. I just don’t know if I can face her. How cansheface me after what she did?She’s got some balls; I’ll give her that. Maybe I should hear her out.