Page 62 of Wicked Riddles & Bitter Heartbeats

“When are you leaving?” I ask.

“I need to finish this tonight. My plane leaves in three days.”

“Where are you going?”

“Ireland. At first, anyway. I want to travel a little. Find a place that makes my soul happy. If that even exists.”

I glance at the stairs just as Lilah walks down them. She’s bright and rested, and so fucking beautiful.

I’ve found what makes my soul happy.

“Good morning,” she says carefully as she stops a short distance from us.

Violet looks over her shoulder.

“Hey,” she says gently. “Good morning.”

I move past Violet and pull Lilah to me, bending to kiss her lips. She hums happily.

“How did you sleep, Kitten?” I ask.

“Pretty good.” She smiles up at me.

Fuck, she’s beautiful. There isn’t a thing in this world that I wouldn’t do for her.

Except let her go.

“What do you want for breakfast?”

“Pancakes.”

I kiss her again. “You got it, Kitten.”

“You want some pancakes?” I ask Violet.

She shrugs, taking a seat at the island. “Sure.”

Lilah sits beside her, and I make them both breakfast, coffee, and pour them juice.

I’ve thought of Violet a lot over the last eight years, and I’m not sure what I expected if I ever saw her again. This definitely wasn’t it, though.

Is this what it’s like to have closure?

I feel too calm. Like now that I know she’s okay, I’ll be okay. Maybe that’s all I needed. Maybe I just needed to know she was okay and that I didn’t let her down.

The three of us spend the day lounging around. We watch TV, Lilah and Violet chat, I show her my cars and Lilah gives her a tour of the house. I like seeing them get along.

When the sun sets, Violet gives me that look. I already know what it means.

I’m leaving.

“Do you need anything before you go?” I ask her. “Money, clothes, a car?”

She huffs out a laugh, shaking her head. “No, but thank you.”

“A ride, then?”

“No, Atticus. I’m fine.”