Page 87 of Undeniably Corrupt

Case closed.

Liora and Vander are history.

Only we’re the type of history I’ll never get over or move past. Even if she already has.

26

“Wee! Higher!” Hazel shouts as I give her another push on the swings. Her hands fly above her head, and if she’s this much of an adrenaline junkie at two and a half, I hate to think about what she’ll be like at fifteen.

“Only if you hold on.”

She makes a displeased noise but quickly gets over it as she regrips the metal chains on either side of her baby swing. I give her another hard shove, sending her flying through the air like a pendulum when my phone rings in my pocket.

I slip it out between pushes and answer it without checking to see who it is.

“Hello?”

“Are you intentionally trying to play games with me?”

“Huh? Vander?”

“Turn around.”

“What?”

He sighs. “Turn around, Liora, and look up.”

I spin around and look up only to have the back of Hazel’s swing hit me between the shoulder blades and send meshooting forward and to the ground, belly flopping like a starfish in dramatic fashion. An oomph flees my lungs, and I can hear Vander curse through the phone that falls from my hand.

“Mama, you okay?” Hazel cries in concern, and I roll over and sit up, laughing because what in the hell? That’s twice now. Only this one was better than the first.

“I’m okay, sweetie. It was just a bump.” And a face-plant into old woodchips. Gross.

“Mama, push me!” Hazel flails, and I snatch my phone from the woodchips and stand to give her another push.

“Are you okay?” he asks as I bring the phone back to my ear. I can hear the amusement in his voice.

“Just great. Why are you calling me?” And then I remember and glance over my shoulder this time without losing focus on where Hazel is. “I don’t see you.”

“Look up. Top floor balcony. No. To the right. More right. There you go.” A tiny and faraway Vander gives me a wave from the balcony of one of the penthouses.

“Are you stalking me again?” I give Hazel another push.

“Nope. I happen to be at my friend Mason’s. You should come up and bring Hazel. There are other kids here, including Willow.”

“But that means I’d have to see you.” I’ve avoided him pretty much all week other than at work. Today he took the afternoon off and told everyone to do the same. None of us had to be told twice. I grabbed my kid, and here we are at the park. There has been no more going near his bedroom. At work we’re professional, and I’ve made a point to only see him in meetings and with others around us. Otherwise, we communicate via text or email.

“Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good.”

“Who said that?”

“I just did. Now get your pretty ass up here. I want to seeyou. Sixteenth floor. The Reyes penthouse. I’ll let the doorman know you’re coming.” He disconnects the call, and I sigh. It is cold out here. I mean, not terribly cold but still cold. And I wouldn’t mind seeing Katy, and I know Hazel will want to play with Willow.

“Hazel, do you want to go play with Willow?”

“Yeah! Yeah!”

I wish I had her enthusiasm.