Page 115 of Renascence

The woman looks up at me, eyes going wide. “You….”

“What about me?”

“Luigi has something planned. I don’t know what it is, but I know it involves you. Your picture was on his desk.”

“What else?”

“I heard him and his men talking once. He tried to buy off the judge in Luca’s case and he didn’t bite. Said he’d have to find another way to get to him.”

Son for a son. Unfortunately for Vitalli, this judge doesn’t give a fuck about his offspring.

“What are we going to do about her?” Razor asks.

“Keep her here for now,” Gage answers. “Get her some food until I decide what to do.”

“I’m sorry for what I did,” the woman says to me. “I saw you with her. Can you tell her I’m sorry?”

“I think it’s a little too late to apologize.”

I walk away, the words as much for me as they were for her.

Before I can climb back into the van, Gage pulls me aside, his phone to his ear. “Stay with her. Both of you. I’ll send money for expenses.” He listens for a while, then replies, “Until I say so.”

“What’s going on?”

“Your girl is heading back to Atlanta. Packed up her uncle’s truck and they left a few minutes ago.”

“Oh.”

“That’s all you’re gonna say?”

“What do you want me to say? To do?” I ask in frustration.

“Man the fuck up! What happened to Raven, I didn’t see it coming. Regardless, I still blame myself for it every fucking day. You have an opportunity I didn’t. If you don’t do everything in your power to prevent something from happening to her, you’ll regret it for the rest of your miserable life. And trust me, youwillbe miserable, because I’ve seen you with her. My wife? She’s the only thing that makes life worth living. You think about that before you push Emily away forever.”

He leaves me staring at his boot prints in the dirt, contemplating his words. Somewhere in the recesses of mind, a voice tells me he’s right.

If only I could believe it.

***Emily***

Nervous.

Relieved.

Anxious.

Those are just some of the things I’m feeling as I walk into the courthouse.

Today’s the day. Today I’ll finally be rid of James Sinclair. Jesus, I’m glad I didn’t take his last name. It only makes this so much easier. I can’t wait for every trace of this man to be erased from my life.

“Emily?”

I cringe at the voice, turning to the owner with disgust evident on my face. “James.”

“Almost didn’t recognize you.” His eyes move up and down my body, making me cringe harder, if there’s such a thing. “You look good.”

“I know.”