Page 64 of Only the Devil

“That’s not the case here.”

“Really?” The skepticism is warranted after years of being burned by greedy bosses. “How much of a raise?”

“Percentage wise…” If I told her, she wouldn’t really grasp it. “A base salary of twelve million a year.”

“Did you just say million?”

“Yeah.”

“Baby girl, that’s a yes. I don’t care what they want, you take that.”

“But Mom…” I never told her I’m here to vindicate Uncle Alvin, that these people took everything from him.

“Don’t ‘Mom’ me. The answer is yes.”

I lower my voice, even though my office door is closed, and lean forward over the desk. “These are the people who managed the crypto fund Uncle Alvin invested in. I didn’t come here for a permanent job. I wanted to find out…” I let the sentence trail because my instinct is telling me not to say this part out loud—I came here to find evidence of foul play. Of crimes. Crimes they could still be committing, harming victims, others just like Alvin Reed.

“Honey, investments fail. Reed had no business investing his life savings in a high-risk investment. It might not have been technically gambling, but we both know for him, with his addiction, it was gambling. That’s on him. I’m sure if those bosses of yours could have had their way, they would’ve made a mint. Sometimes things don’t go the way you want. But, if they’re offering you that kind of salary, something’s gone right for them. Are you sure they can pay you?”

“Yes, Mom. I’ve been working for them for almost a month now.”

“They let you work remote? How do you find all these remote work jobs?”

“I’m actually in Virginia. It’s where this office is located.”

“Do you like it?”

I half-chuckle at how quickly she’s moved on from my ethical quandary.

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

Technically, I’m in KOAN’s rental. If I take this job, I suppose I should look to find accommodations of my own. Maybe actually check out the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s funny. The thought hadn’t crossed my mind until talking to Mom. Even when she drives me crazy, her voice still feels like home–which, I suppose, makes me think about a home.

“Oh, yes, yes.” There’s a commotion behind her, with a mix of voices in the background. “Honey, she’s ready for me. I’m getting highlights. You know, got to get ready for Friday. You take that job, girl. Don’t think twice. Reed would want you to take that job.”

The line goes dead before I can respond, which is probably for the best. Because what I want to say would shatter her good mood: No, Mom. Uncle Alvin would be horrified.

I set the phone down and stare at my reflection in the black glass. Mom’s wrong about Uncle Alvin—spectacularly, painfully wrong. He’d look at that twelve-million-dollar offer and see exactly what it is: quicksand dressed up in a designer suit. The kind of easy money that swallows people whole. But knowing what Uncle Alvin would want and being strong enough to do it? Those are two very different things.

I stare at the silent phone, my chest tight with frustration. What if doing the right thing means walking away from the kind of money that could secure my family’s future? What if doing good means letting my mother struggle with rent for the rest of her life?

Uncle Alvin believed I had heart, but after he returned from a war, he never had to choose between heart and survival. Lucky him.

Friday can’t come fast enough. At least then, I’ll know which version of myself I’m going to live with—the one Uncle Alvin believed in, or the one who finally gave up pretending she’s different.

Chapter 21

Jake

The hum of her laptop is becoming the soundtrack of my nights.

Daisy sits cross-legged on the couch, glasses low on her nose, eyes darting between her screen and the papers scattered across the table. Every few minutes she chews the end of her pen. I’ve learned the rhythm—she’s not working, she’s arguing with herself.

It’s Thursday night, and tomorrow’s decision day.

“Still can’t decide?” I ask, keeping my tone casual as I tighten the screws on a cabinet door I’ve already fixed twice.

She glances up, eyes soft but tired. “It’s a big decision.”