Page 32 of Diamonds

I nod.“But it’s a long story.”

She eyes the alarm clock on her nightstand.“I’m not called in until two thirty.We have a bit.”

And I’ve run out of excuses.

It’s time I told Alissa the truth anyway.

Or at least…part of the truth.Unveil the madness of my life one layer at a time.

“My family is—well,was, I suppose—into politics.”

“Right.Makes sense.”She bites her lip.“You said you grew up in the spotlight.And you mentioned having some connections to the mayor’s office.”

“Yeah.It’s my damn family name.The Hathaways have been called the Kennedys of Chicago.We held a political stranglehold over things in the city for several decades.”

“Until?”

I exhale.“Until me, Alissa.I was the last in line.I was expected to take the reins and lead the Hathaway legacy into the twenty-first century.But I…” I look down.“I just couldn’t do it.I had seen the kind of backdoor deals my father made.The grime under the papered-over cracks.I had another dream.”

Her eyes brighten.“Your shop.”

“Exactly.It was an old family property, one that had fallen into serious disrepair since my great-uncle died.But the family still owned the building, and I cut a deal with my dad to get the building in my name in exchange for half my profits.”

“Goodness.That must not have left you barely anything to live on.”

“I had a rough go at it the first few years.Dad didn’t give me a cent to live on, either.He did do me one kindness, though.”

“The car?”

I exhale sharply through my nose.“That, too.But the greatest thing he ever did for me was die.After that, our deal was void.I got to keep all my profits.And it was only two years later.”I rub at my forehead.“I know that’s a terrible thing to say.That the one good thing your father did for you was kick the bucket.”

Her lip quivers, and she swallows.“I think… I think I understand.”

I squeeze her hand.“You do?”

She nods.“My mother.The day she died… I mean, it was terrible.But once she was gone, this weight was lifted off my shoulders.For the first time in my life, I felt…free.”

“Agreed.One hundred fucking percent.”I grab my plate off the nightstand and raise it as if in a toast.“To freedom.”

She chuckles and then grabs her plate and clinks it against mine.“To freedom.”She looks over at her clock again.“And on that note, I’d better start getting ready.Thanks for the breakfast.And for last night.Thank you…for everything.”

10

ALISSA

I’m showered and dressed in a plain blue T-shirt and capri jeans.I’ll change into scrubs once I get to the hospital.

Maddox is still wearing one of the T-shirts from my drawer with his tuxedo pants from last night.Poor thing.It must be torture for him to be seen in such gauche attire.

I pull out my phone—thankfully I remembered to charge it for once—and look at my calendar.“I’m pretty busy with work this week, but I’m off Thursday.Maybe we could do something then?”

He nods.“Yeah.Maybe by then we’ll have heard something from Bill.”

My heart cracks a little.I’d almost forgotten the horrors we went through last night.Having breakfast, talking about our childhoods together, all after a night of intense lovemaking, felt almost like we were an everyday couple.

“I meant more like another date.”

He opens his mouth.“Oh.Yeah.Sorry.Of course.I’d love to see you Thursday.”