Page 65 of The King of Hearts (The Raven Group #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

HER

A soft giggle comes from across the lawn, and Lili and I look over to see Harper lying on her stomach with her chin propped up in her hands, her rapt gaze on Loki as he blindly swats at a bug he can’t see.

As Lili continues to watch her daughter, I look at Lili.

The woman looks more happy than I’ve seen her since they were brought to my family’s house.

Her mouth is tipped into a genuine smile, and her features are relaxed.

“How are you and Harper doing?” I ask, bringing her attention back to me.

“Good,” she replies. “Finally getting into a normal routine.” Some of the lightness fades from her eyes.

“What is it?”

Her gaze drops to her clasped hands, and it takes her a moment before she lifts her head to stare across the yard.

“I just wonder what comes after. I’ve been scared my entire life.

I’ve tried blocking most of it from Harper.

” She looks at her daughter again, “But she’s smart.

She knows her daddy isn’t a good person.

” She brings her gaze back to me. “What do I do once this is over? Where do we go? I have no one and no money. I’ve never worked a day in my life, so I have no work experience.

I’m sure I can find a job somewhere, but will it be enough to provide for Harper? ”

I reach over and grab her hand. I understand her worry. She’s been dependent on Grant since she became an adult. It’s hard to make a go of it in today’s society. It’ll be even harder for Lili because she’s a single parent.

“The Raven Group has resources. We won’t forget about you once Grant is taken care of. We’ll help you with the transition by finding you a job and a place to live. You and Harper will be taken care of until you’re stable and on your feet.”

That’s where Apollo comes in. Or rather, that’s where Ryker comes in.

He’s the financial backer who provides funds for relocating The Raven Group’s clients.

It’s not required, but the client is offered a new identity, and Ryker provides the necessary documents.

He gives them stability until they can manage it on their own.

Wherever they choose to live, he provides a safe place, while The Raven Group helps them secure employment.

Funds are given to the client, the amount more than enough to provide financial security for the first year.

Ryker and I haven’t discussed his role in the company or if he even plans to continue. I don’t even know if Dad will allow it. Regardless, Lili and Harper will be taken care of.

Lili regards me, saying nothing to my statement. “Why do you do what you guys do? Why do you care so much about other people’s plights?”

“Because if we don’t, no one else will. At least, not enough to really make a difference.

There are too many people out there scared of their own shadow because of what was done to them.

No one should live like that. And there are too many monsters who get away with heinous acts.

Those people should be dead. They don’t deserve the life they were given.

We stop them from not only tormenting their victims, whether directly or indirectly, but we also prevent them from hurting other people. ”

Lili flips her hand over, and our palms meet, her fingers curling around mine. “Thank you for everything you and your family have done for Harper and me. I don’t know what—” She stops when her voice breaks.

“You don’t ever have to find out,” I tell her. “The Raven Group, and especially me, will always be there for you. No matter what.”

She nods, her free hand swiping away at a tear that’s fallen down her cheek.

“I can’t wait for all of this to be over with. No matter how safe it seems, I still feel like I’m always looking over my shoulder.”

“Even if he did find you, there’s no way he could get access to you.”

“Logically, I know that, but I still won’t feel completely safe until he’s gone for good.”

The plan is to abduct Grant and bring him to the island to The Reef, where Lili can end his life how she sees fit.

Unfortunately, finding him is proving difficult.

He’s nowhere to be found. We have people watching the few people Lili knows he associates with, and even have people watching their parents, but so far, there’s been no communication.

The next few minutes are spent in silence as we go back to watching Harper play with Loki. The little girl looks so happy and carefree, and seeing it fills all the parts of me with happiness. I can’t imagine the weight that’s been lifted from Lili’s shoulders, seeing her daughter like this.

“You know you’re going to have to get a cat once you’re settled, right?”

Lili laughs. “You’re probably right. I think she’s a fan. Before meeting Loki, Harper had never been around a cat before.”

That makes me sad. But it’s okay because they aren’t in that situation anymore.

After a few more minutes of play time, Loki plops down on his side, releasing a big yawn, his eyes closing.

“I guess he’s had enough of the big outdoors,” Lili remarks.

“It appears so.”

Harper gets up from the ground, her attention drawn toward the house. I look over just as Beatrice steps out onto the terrace, pushing Vivian’s wheelchair. She goes to the ramp, down it, and pushes the chair to a flower garden that has a multitude of colorful blooms.

“Who is that?” Lili asks.

“Ryker’s mother, Vivian. She’s in a catatonic state. Has been for years.”

“How sad.”

I get up from the stone bench and walk over to Beatrice and Vivian. Bea smiles when she sees me approach. Her eyes move to Lili, who’s following behind me.

“Hello. It’s a nice day out, and I figured Vivian might enjoy the scenery.”

“Such a great idea,” I remark, gesturing to a bench to the side of the flower bed. “We’ll sit with her for a while. I’ll bring her in when we return inside.”

“Are you certain? We don’t want to interrupt your visit.”

“We’re sure. You don’t mind, do you, Lili?”

Lili smiles. “Certainly not. It’s too beautiful a day not to share it with others.”

“It’s settled then. I’ll watch after Vivian. You go take a break.”

“Thank you. I’ll be in the library when you come back in.”

She walks off, and Lili and I take a seat on the bench.

Vivian is only a few feet away, facing the flowers.

Ryker told me a few days ago that Vivian once loved flowers, so she’s brought out to the garden often.

I nearly wept when he told me that he and his mom had a tradition of going out in the morning to pick flowers for the table in the entrance hall.

He was so young when his father disappeared, and then for his mother to fall into this mindless state.

I can’t imagine how alone he must have felt when he was a small boy.

“How long has she been like this?” Lili asks, her voice quiet.

I don’t feel comfortable talking about Ryker’s mother with someone else, but it wouldn’t hurt to give a little.

“When Ryker was a young child.”

“That must have been so hard on him.”

“I’m sure it was. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without my mother.” I pause and look at Lili. “Were you close with your mother?”

Her smile is sad as she shakes her head.

“I believe we were at one point, but once I realized what Grant was doing to me was wrong, I pulled away from her.” She starts fiddling with the material of her dress.

“I don’t know why. Maybe I harbored a hidden resentment toward her because the abuse was happening right under her nose, and she didn’t notice.

Or, I don’t know,” she shrugs, “maybe it was because I wanted to distance myself from her in case Grant followed through with his threat and killed our parents. Maybe I thought it would be easier if I didn’t love her as much. ”

My heart aches for her. I wish I could somehow erase all of her bad memories and replace them with only good ones.

“Do you think you’ll ever talk to them about what Grant did?”

She thinks for a moment before her reply comes.

“I honestly don’t know. Mom died a few years ago from cancer.

Dad remarried last year, but I haven’t met his new wife.

I partially blame my parents for what happened.

They had to have known something was going on, but they never questioned me.

I don’t know if I could ever look at my dad and not feel resentment. ”

“When was the last time you spoke to him?”

“A year ago, before he remarried.”

I hope Lili makes Grant suffer when she kills him. And I wish I could be there to see it.

Harper walks up to Ryker’s mom holding a flower. More specifically, a yellow begonia, which, according to Ryker, is one of Vivian’s favorite colors. She stands in front of Vivian, the flower twirling between her little fingers.

“I picked you a flower,” she says.

“Harper, honey. Leave the lady alone and come over here.”

“She’s fine,” I tell Lili. “I don’t know if Vivian can hear or understand, but if she can, she’d probably enjoy the gesture.”

The little girl eyes Vivian curiously before setting the flower down on her hand, resting on her lap. Then she turns and skips over to Lili. Lili scoops her up and sets her down on her lap.

“Are you about ready to go?”

Harper’s adorable pout comes out. “Do we have to?”

“We do.” Lili kisses the side of Harper’s head. “You have a date with Lea, remember? She’s teaching you how to make homemade biscuits.”

I grab the end of Harper’s braid and give it a gentle tug. “You know, I used to help Lea in the kitchen when I was your age. I know she misses having a little girl help her. And if you’re extra helpful, she even makes a special dessert for you.”

Harper’s eyes light up. “She will?”

“Yep. That’s how she started making special macarons for me.”

She looks at her mom over her shoulder. “Okay, we can go.”

Lili laughs and sets the little girl on her feet, tapping her on the butt with the back of her hand. “Go grab your shoes.”