“I know, and we can prove the two of them for sure, but I’m not having you sit through a trial to determine you killed Ortiz in self-defense. So . . . you gotta answer one question for me.”
“What?” I ask, drowning in those pools of light green.
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes. Absolutely,” I reply without hesitation.
“Good, because I’m not gonna sit around and wait for them to finally connect Reyes to the murders instead. We’re gonna free you from all of this, and we’re starting a brand-new life. Don’t worry, you’re gonna love the ocean breeze and picking pineapples out of our yard.”
My brain puts together what he’s saying. He’s going to fake my death and erase me . . . and we’re running away to a tropical paradise. Maybe another girl would have questions, but after everything we’ve been through, my answer is simple.
“How soon do we leave?”
I can tell by the smile on his face that my answer is everything he needed.
“As soon as you’re healed up, mama. I’ve got your girls coming back from the beach right now. Trey set up an online scheduling program for them, and they’ve been letting all the clients know.”
Appreciation fills me. “Thank you. Thank you so much for taking care of them. The house . . .”
“It’s already been cleaned by a crew. The girls will never see anything.”
I get quiet, thinking about things that will never be the same, and say a silent prayer for Desiree.
“I want Taylor to have the house now. Free and clear. Desiree’s girls can stay for a couple of months while they make other arrangements, but Taylor has always wanted to turn it into a spa.” I laugh quietly and shake my head. “I think she’s a little crazy, thinking a whorehouse can become something else, but I’m willing to let her try.”
“Mama, anyone and anything can change. All it takes is a decision. You tell me how you want it done, and I’ll get someone working on it.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, not sure I could love him more than I do right now.
“Good to see you awake.”
Mount’s voice comes from the doorway, interrupting our moment, and my entire body tenses.
I cost him. Him and Keira. They invited us into their home, and I brought Reyes to them.
The guilt of that weighs on my soul.
I meet his black gaze and speak from the heart. “I’m sorry, Mount. I’m so sorry for bringing this to your home and for what it cost you. I wish I could make it right, but I can’t. I’m so sorry.”
Moses tenses beside me, as though he’s ready to jump between me and the king if he says something Moses doesn’t want me to hear. But I can take it.
Mount’s expression stays even and calm. “Whatever guilt you’re carrying because of this—let it go.”
My head jerks back against the pillow. “But you . . .” I start and trail off before I can even form a complete sentence.
Mount steps farther into the room. “I would’ve handed the pope over to Hannibal Lecter if it meant getting Aurora back. It wasn’t personal. And you can’t be held responsible for what Reyes did. You were swept up into something that had nothing to do with you. You’ve got no fault in this.”
“What do you mean? I killed his brother.”
“This was all caused by a cheating husband and a scorned wife. They’re responsible for every drop of blood Reyes spilled. And when I find Alberto Brandon, he’s going to pay the consequences for what he caused. In fact, I was just walking out a friend of yours who is going to find him for me. He was particularly motivated when he learned how Brandon’s actions affected you.”
“A friend?” I’m blanking.
“I believe you played chess together.”
My gaze cuts to Moses as I realize Mount is talking about Rhodes—who Moses met at the club under less-than-ideal circumstances, but he doesn’t look remotely affected by the information.
“It’s okay, mama. It doesn’t bother me none. This Rhodes dude seems like he might be useful in the future. Probably could’ve used his help before.”
“He says he’s the best at what he does.”
“I am the best at what I do,” the man himself says, stepping around Mount. “Sorry for intruding, but it was worth it.”
Mount looks at him, his eyes darkening with unpleasant surprise. “You shouldn’t have been able to get back in.”
Rhodes smirks. “And you’ve got security issues that need handling if you want this place impenetrable. Don’t worry. I’ll get you sorted out. No one will be breaching this place when I’m done. Call it a favor. You can owe me one.”
Moses and I lock eyes, and I can see he’s just as shocked as I am that Rhodes doesn’t bow down to the king.
He steps around a stunned, but surprisingly amused Mount, and comes toward me. Before he reaches the bed, he glances at Moses.
“You mind, brother? Promise I think of her like a sister.”
Moses just grins. “You’ve got balls of steel, man. Say what you want to say. You don’t need my permission. Magnolia’s her own woman.”
He’s definitely getting a blow job for that comment—when I’m feeling better.
Rhodes closes the distance between us and drops down on one knee. “Glad you’re okay, Mags. The world would’ve been a hell of a lot less bright without you in it.”
“Thank you.”
He presses a kiss to my hands and squeezes them before turning back to Moses. “She’s all yours, man. Just let me borrow her for a chess game every now and then. She’s that good.”
Moses’s lips curve up in a smile. “If you can find us, you can play her anytime you want.”
“Challenge accepted,” Rhodes says with a wink at me. Then he turns back to Mount. “Now I’ll show myself out—and send you a detailed list of all the shit I’d change for your security. You need my help implementing, you let me know.”
And with that, he’s gone, and I’m left shaking my head.
Mount stares after him. “He’s going to be trouble.”
I can’t help but giggle. “Yeah, he is. But he’s good trouble.”
Moses shoots me a look.
“What? You know I only want you and that Moby Dick of yours.”
“And I think it’s time for me to excuse myself,” Mount says, and Moses’s laughter and mine chases him out of the room.
Epilogue
Magnolia
One year later
“Shhh . . . If you keep crying like that, you’re gonna wake Mama, big man. And you know she was already up twice with you last night.”
The sound of Moses’s voice comes through the baby monitor on our dresser.
A warm, humid breeze blows through the wall of open sliding glass doors and the sheer white mosquito netting hanging around our bed, carrying the salty tang of the ocean with it.
I stretch and roll out of bed, reaching for the red silk robe I tossed over the bench at the foot last night.
I pad silently into the nursery next door to see my entire world bathed in the light of the brilliant orange sunrise turning the morning into a work of art.