How could this be? Unless… Henry is in Foster's corner. From beyond our world, he's looking out for his son. He knows we're meant to be. He's trying to connect us.
Now I've really gone lulu if I think Henry is trying to play matchmaker from the grave.
The papers crinkle in my hands. It could be a trap. The people who want to get me could be luring me into harm's way. Donnie could have pulled this to mess with me. Shoot. My father could be behind it.
But this lawyer seems totally legit. There's something so honest and genuine about it. There's no hint of tampering. It's clearly an old man's handwriting and words. He called me Mila, knowing that's what Foster called me.
Listen to your heart right now because you know in your soul, I love you. You love me.
I didn't listen to him last time. I believed the lies my father was feeding me. But now I see with my own eyes. I don't have anyone in my corner. I'm alone in that Manhattan mansion with strangers. They aren't my family. They don't know the real me. The only person who ever saw who I really am was Foster. He was in my corner and I betrayed him.
God, I've been so stupid. I need to try to fix this. It seems impossible, but I have to try. I need to stop crying and figure out a plan.
"Okay. Thank you. I mean. Thank you. Please, don't tell anyone."
"Of course."
"Can I have these?"
"Yes."
I quickly push them back into the folder and turn around. "Thank you. Um. Thank you. Bye."
Chapter 20 Come Back
I don't know how my plan led me to my father's office. I don't know what twisted logic in my head told me I had to confront him one more time before I left, but here I am. Seeking "closure" that could very well get me killed today. If I die, I'll never get the chance to stand in Foster's corner where I want to be.
So, I'm praying my own father, who has claimed to love me and protect me my entire life, doesn't get angry and murder me today.
My hand is about to knock on his office door when I pull it back. I have to swallow down the nausea that assaults me as I face my biggest fear. I should run. I could be at La Guardia and on a plane to California in an hour.
But first, I have to be brave and knock on this door.
Tap-tap-tap.
"Come in, sweetheart." I'd messaged him telling him I wanted to discuss a charity event.
"Hi, Dad." I slowly enter his office and look around. It's a mess. Random papers and photos everywhere. A pile of magazines stacked high on the corner of his desk. A half-smoked cigar on a side table. Empty bottles of booze on his office bar cart. Cell phones scattered all over the place. Is his brain in as much disarray as his office?
"Milana, Milana," he sing-songs. "You've been absent. I've missed you so much. I need to see your lovely face at Sunday dinners again. I need you working again. What on earth has kept you away?"
"I've been a little sick."
"Huh. And have you just come from the gym?" He looks at my workout clothes.
"Uh, yeah. I'm better."
"Well, good. All right. Listen. I'm glad you're back. I need you to do me a big favor."
As per usual, he doesn't ask me why I came here. He just launches into what he wants me to do for him.
If he was laundering money through the charity and I haven't been working, he could be having a cash flow problem. It's hard to believe a man as rich as him wouldn't have liquid assets, but I don't even know if he's as rich as he claims to be. I know nothing about his actual finances, only the rumors and what he tells me.
"I get you don't want to marry Renzo."
Oh shoot. He's back to this again.
"But I need you to cozy up to him. Fuck him if you have to, but get in there."
Oh my Lord. My dad has jumped off the deep end. He wants me to sleep with Renzo to get close to him?
"Why, Dad?"
"He's a bad actor."
"What do you mean?"
"I was trying to spare you the details, but he's a pedophile."
My dad seems totally crazed and illogical.
"I doubt Renzo is a pedophile. I've known him forever. He's never even been around kids."
"If you press him on it, he'll confess. Get it on tape for me. Will ya?"
Now he's asking me to frame Renzo so he can extort him?
"Renzo is not a pedophile. What proof do you have?"
His lips press together in a thin line and his face tightens. I've triggered his rage. "Are you questioning me? I knew his father. He was scum. Trash on the street. Renzo's the same. We have to take him out."
I stand up and take a deep breath, shoulders back. Time to literally stand up to my father. "I'm not going to do that, Dad. I won't hurt Renzo. If he's doing the disgusting things you claim, call SDNY and they'll go after justice. Not me."
He stands too and his hands rattle. He's unsteady on his feet and bending forward at the waist. "Justice? We have our own justice around here, Milana."
We enter into a long staring contest. My strength infuriates him. His face turns red and his fists clench. "You get Renzo on tape confessing or I'll kill you like I did Foster."
I can't hide my shock and a loud gasp passes in the silence of his office. "Foster's dead?" I whisper.
He nods and shuffles some of the garbage around on his desk. "He was a dirty cop. He fucked with you to bring me down. Now he's gone. Mess with one of mine, mess with me."
The lack of eye contact and his fidgeting with his papers make me think he's lying. I know now I can't trust him. "I don't believe it."
"Get your ass over to Renzo's place." He slams the desk. "Get it on tape and bring it back to me." He stomps around his desk and towers over me. "Do what I say or face the consequences."
It's insane to push him when he's on the brink like this, but I'm done pretending to be his dutiful daughter who doesn't know the truth.
"Like Mom faced the consequences?"
His mouth clenches and his fist strikes my cheek. I stumble back and double over as the sting spreads through my head. The next punch knocks me to the floor, but I brace myself with my forearms. The kick is coming next. No. He'll never kick me again.
Before his foot makes contact, I'm scrambling from the floor and running to the door. He grabs my hair, but I fling the door open and slam it against his face. I keep running. The pain sears my scalp, but as long as I run, I'll be okay. Now I'm in the hallway and there's other businesses out here. He won't beat me in public.
"Milana. Come back here. Come back!"
As I race down the stairwell, I catch a glimpse of long strands of my hair between his fingers. He killed my mother for disobeying him and he'll kill me too if I don't get out of here. I have no doubt now.
I'm slipping and sliding down the steps, taking them two at a time. The handrail is the only thing holding me up. I pass two men on the way down. Good. More witnesses.
I make it out to the street and run for my life. My heart batters a frenzied beat against my ribcage. The cold wind stings my eyes. I'm a fast runner. I can run away from here and he'll never catch me.