Page 36

Chapter 35

FOUR YEARS IN HIDING

“No,” I said forcefully.

“Yes,” Eden replied with just as much fervor.

I walked over to where she was sitting on our couch with her phone in her hand and glared down at her. “You are not getting one of those facepage things.”

“It’s called Facebook, and yes I am.” She stood and propped her hands on her hips. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

“I can turn you over my fucking knee until you listen to me,” I shot back.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Osbourne,” she said, poking me in the chest with her finger, and I fought the need to laugh. God, even when she was being infuriating, she was adorable. “I had a Facebook profile before.”

“That has nothing to do with our situation now. What if someone recognizes you?” I demanded, managing to keep my face stoic.

“They won’t because I’m not going to post any pictures of myself. I just want to be able to see my family.”

“I can put the surveillance team back on them and get videos of them for you,” I countered. We’d stopped having her family watched last year since Luca seemed to have lost his concern with the Bouviers.

“That’s dumb. This is totally free, and I can follow them on there. I’ve already talked to Robert about it.”

That got my attention. Robert, as our own personal computer guru, was well-versed in the social media craze. “And he said it was okay?” I asked, feeling myself softening to the idea.

“He did. He suggested that I not follow their personal accounts. I can follow the Bouvier business account though because I would just be one of millions.. Monty doesn’t seem to have a Facebook page, but Auburn does, and it’s not set to private, so I can see what he posts, even if I don’t send him a friend request.”

That all sounded like Greek to me, but I sighed and flopped onto the couch. “Show me.”

“Wow, your brother really gets around,” I said, watching as Eden flipped through picture after picture of Auburn and a never-ending line of beautiful women.

She giggled. “The ladies love Auburn. He’s quiet and a little broody, so they all think they can change him.”

“Looks like he’s working for your family’s company now since he graduated with his master’s degree,” I said when she flipped to a picture of Auburn sitting in an office with the city of New York as a backdrop. He was wearing a finely cut suit, and the Bouvier logo was visible on a side wall.

“And Monty’s not,” Eden replied sadly. “I can’t believe he’s decided to go into law enforcement. I’m sure it has something to do with my disappearance.”

I put my arm around her and pulled her close. Those fucking traffickers had altered so many lives, and I was struck with an idea.

“Would you like to find a nice charity to donate to? One that supports victims of human trafficking?”

She looked up at me with moony eyes and nodded. “I would. Thank you.”

I gave her a soft kiss and then watched as she looked up her college friends on the Facebook thing. Arya was in medical school in California, Holly was working on her master’s in criminal justice, the Papadopoulos twins were traveling in Europe after graduating, and Juliette McNamara…

“Oh my god, look!” Eden shrieked. “Juli is publishing her book!” She shoved the phone so close to my face, I saw double.

“Okay,” I laughed, pushing the device back about a foot. “Looks like a romance book.”

“It is,” Eden said, a smile taking up her entire face. “She let me read some of it the night before I was taken. She’s so talented.”

I squinted at the screen. “What’s an ARC reader?”

“That’s someone who receives an advanced copy of the book to help promote it before and during the release.”

“Do you have to meet face-to-face with the author or anything?”

Eden shook her head. “No, you either get a digital copy or a hard copy mailed to you. Then you read it and review it.”

I thought through it for a minute before saying, “You should do that. Join her ARC team.”

Her eyes shone with tears. “You think that would be okay? I’d love to help promote her, even if she doesn’t know it’s me.”

The idea seemed to bring her so much joy, how could I deny her? “As long as you don’t have to meet her in person, I think it would be fine. If she’s going to mail you a book, there are mailbox services we could use. To the outside world, your address would be a mailbox in… I don’t know… Kansas or something, and then they forward it to you. That might be overkill since she won’t know it’s you, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Can we check with Robert on the ARC thing just to make sure before you do it?”

“Of course. That’s probably a good idea.”

“We’ll talk to him tonight. Now you need to go get ready or you’re going to be late for your big day.”

I was pretty sure my heart was about to burst right out of my chest as I watched my wife walk across the stage and receive her college degree. My throat was clogged with emotion so I couldn’t even yell, but it was okay. There was a whole slew of people who’d come to watch her graduate, and they were loud as fuck.

Charlisse and Mimsy were the most vocal, and they both held up handmade signs when Eden’s name was called as Charles and Cooper clapped. Maz, the veterinarian from the Turtle Hospital, was also seated with us, as were about a dozen other people who also worked there with Eden. Robert and Jamie had even made the trip down from Jacksonville.

“It’s a good day, boss,” Kevin said from behind me where he was sitting beside Barry and Maria from the bakery. He patted my shoulder. “I know you’re proud of her.”

Eden had worked her ass off and graduated early with honors. Proud didn’t even begin to cover it.

“I am,” I said, waving at Eden when she looked up at our section and held her arms up in victory. Our crew cheered even louder, and the announcer had to pause for our noise to die down before he could call the next name.

My wife was fucking radiant, and everyone who knew her loved her.

But none more than me.