“What’s so urgent?” I ask.
“Benedict here told us Atzi’s accident seems to have been a murder attempt,” Lysander says.
I shrug. “Listen, I’m a medicine man and not a detective or a forensic doctor,” I add in case one of these assholes wants to tease me with that. “Derek suggested we put a bodyguard on her, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Aslan nods. “We understand and also get why you haven’t told us about this yet. There’s a lot happening in your life, but we need to talk. She’s leaving the hospital next week with the babies. I want to make sure you have security at all times for her.”
“Derek is making sure that she does,” I answer, unsure why we are here. “Do you think we are also being targeted? Because I doubt it.”
Lysander shrugs. “We don’t know.”
I point at him. “There you go, being all cagey again. We’re old enough to be involved in grown-up matters—as you used to call them.”
Gatsby nods as if giving Lysander permission to speak.
“A lot happened around the time Dad died. These past few days, we’ve been wondering if the accident where Atzi lost her family is related.” Lysander shrugs. “It’s a very old case, and we’re certain it’s going to take long… too long, to get to the bottom of this case. They might not be related, but we don’t want to take chances.”
Aslan exhales loudly. “We’re setting up security for everyone in the family, even our mother.”
“You think she’s in danger?”
“We’re not sure, but even though she’s a manipulative shrew, we can’t just forget about her,” Gatsby answers.
I nod as if understanding, but all this information has my mind spinning out of control. Atzi and I agreed to look into the messy situation when Dad died, but this is deeper and more disturbing.
“So, how long do you think this will take?” I dare to ask. “Should I take my family to France as soon as they are able to fly?”
Lysander nods. “Probably. We can’t be sure of anything.”
Aslan pats my shoulder. “Doc, you need to live your life and not obsess about what’s happening. It might take years before we figure out what happened. Don’t go back to the old Heath who couldn’t live because he was afraid of the past.”
“This might affect the future of my family too,” I remind him.
“Which is why we’re going to take precautions, okay?”
I nod.
“On your way out, you’ll meet your new security detail.”
“Mine? Why? I don’t need them.”
Aslan shrugs. “But you do. It’s going to be a thing from now on, until we figure out what happened. Okay?”
I nod.
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Aslan says. “Keaton and I cleared our schedule to spend time with the little ones. Hopefully, you can use that time to rest.”
I laugh. “Try to get Atzi out of the hospital.”
“Then just stay in the bedroom sleeping. You need a break, Doc. When was the last time you slept for more than two hours?”
I shrug because honestly, I don’t remember, but also, I’m not tired. Focusing my energy on the little ones and Atzi makes me happy. I smile like a fool thinking about them. Hoping she gives me another chance. I almost destroyed the most beautiful part of us. If the universe is good to me, maybe Atzi will forgive me and will let me love her again.
“Thank you for all your help,” I say.
“There’s nothing to thank. We’re family. From now on, you guys come to us, and we’ll come to you when needed. I hated that we were beginning to fall apart. Your kids kind of pulled us back together,” Aslan says.
And I believe he’s right. They’re a miracle not only to their mom and me but also to our entire family.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Atzi
When it’s time to go home, I’m too nervous. Are we ready to be back in the real world?
Even though Heath and I are not together, we’ve created a safe place for our babies. Outside… well, I don’t know how we’ll function. We have security details because someone might want to kill me—I don’t think that’s true but I don’t argue about our safety. Our little ones come first.
Our plans to move to France are pending. My grandparents rented an apartment in Aslan’s building so they could be around. Aunt Cécile helped them furnish it. It seems like they resolved their differences and are willing to work together for the sake of our family. I wish they had done the same when I was little.
Heath and I haven’t solved our relationship problems. Maybe we’ll do it soon, or when the babies are older. They are our biggest priority at the moment.
Speaking of which, he buys a big electric SUV with two bench seats so we can fit the three car seats and so we can transport the babies in the safest way possible. It’s comfortable and has too many gadgets for just being a car.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks, holding my hand.
We’re going to his penthouse to pick up some of his stuff so he can move in with us. Aunt Cécile prepared the guest room for him, but I would have him in my room if I had it my way.
“How messy is the house?”
“It’s Wednesday… the place is a minefield,” he answers. “The housekeeper won’t be here until Friday.”
“Is Aslan okay with Ben living in his penthouse?”
“He’s like a brother. Of course Aslan is okay with that.”
When we enter the foyer, I’m welcomed by a steel tree hanging on the wall right in front of the elevator. Not just any tree, but one of the pieces I created during my lowest point. It’s one of my favorites. I painted it to give it some depth. The bronze and rose colors give it the feel of the sunset. The promise of a new beginning. It was one of the last pieces I made for the exhibit.
I stare at it and then at Heath. “How?”
“Oh, this incredible masterpiece?” He shrugs as if it’s nothing. “While I was in New York, my cousin June invited me to an exhibition at her husband’s gallery.”
I frown. “Ahern Gallery is…”
“Sterling Ahern’s place,” he says out loud. “In any case, when I stepped in, I was taken aback by the huge tree in the middle—which was not for sale—and looked at the rest of the pieces. I wanted to buy them all, but this one was my favorite one. It called to me. It was like seeing you finally smiling without the mask you always wear.”
“You knew?” I’m unsure what I’m asking when I say those two words.
“That you had a fucking breakdown because I was an idiot? Yes. If there’s something I learned from the beginning of our friendship, it’s to read your moods. I can even feel them through your art. Also, it’s not hard to know since it appears that you welded all that in about a month, maybe less.”
“I hated you,” I breathe the three words as I’m letting the last of my anger go.
“I hated myself.”
“It hurt that you left me like I wasn’t important.”
He takes me into his arms. “Sorry. I’m so sorry.” He looks at me for a long moment before saying, “I wasn’t thinking. All I wanted was to get away from how much I was feeling and how much I wanted you in my life. I didn’t want my mother to hurt you or for her to be in pain. It wasn’t the lack of communication between us but the fear and lack of self-esteem. I didn’t think I was worthy of loving someone as special as you.”