Page 15 of It Starts With A No

“In an asylum.”

“My nonna called it a care home.”

“If you have a grandmother, why did the old man need to arrange for a foster home?”

“She’s my god-grandmother slash foster mother. I’ve known her since I was born. Grandma Moretti worked for Mr. E, too. After …” She swallowed hard. “Anyway, I’ve always called her my nonna. The whole foster situation is just a formality.”

“Your life’s complicated.”

“Whose isn’t?” She dropped her gaze to her bandaged hand. “I’m not sure what your agreement is with Mr. E. If it’s for a personal loan, it isn’t something I can do for you.”

“I’m not asking you for money.”

She blinked once. “You want me to get in touch with him.”

Seth nodded. “No one seems to know where he’s gone. I tried calling him, but his phone is perpetually switched off.”

“It is. He’s hiding from his parasitic family.” She bit down on her lips again before releasing them. “I can try.”

“Try?”

“As you said, his phone is perpetually turned off. I’ve tried emailing him, but he isn’t responding to me either.”

“So you’re one of the people he’s avoiding?”

Her chest rose. “I know …” She shook her head and her shoulders slumped slightly. “Never mind.”

Seth recognized that reaction. How many times had he and his brothers reacted that way after losing hope that anyone would ever believe them? “I believe you.” He waited for her to look at him before he continued, “I believe you’re not his mistress.”

She rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to patronize me. I’ll try to get in touch with him, but I can’t promise anything.”

“I’m not patronizing you.”

She licked her lips. “The answer is still the same. He’s already told me to turn everyone away who tries to reach him through me. He said he won’t entertain it, so I can’t promise you anything.”

He nodded and stood. “I should go.”

“Thanks for staying with me.”

He shrugged. “I’m the reason you’re hurt.”

“About that,” she said, stopping him. “I got hurt because a madman hurt me.”

A madman. “Aren’t you going to ask?”

“Ask what?”

“If I killed that man’s sister.” I want justice for my sister. You killed her. Seth pushed the voice out of his head. He couldn’t allow himself to dwell on what those words might mean.

She laughed once. The lighthearted sound dispelled the sudden weight crushing him. “Honestly, I’d completely forgotten about that,” she said and paused. “So, did you?”

“Would you believe me if I said no?”

She tipped her head to the side, and her eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes.”

“Just like that?” It sounded too good to be true.

Which meant it probably was.

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