Page 95 of The Eleventh Hour

“Fuck, how are we going to fix this?” Stevie howls.

Richard clears his throat and pushes off the wall. “It's quite simple, really, we do what we always do. No comment. Do not deign to answer a single thing. Just ignore them and continue on.”

Richard catches my eyes, and I mouth a silent thank you. He nods, and I think maybe, for a second, his expression softens. Who would have thought Richard would become an ally?

“Good plan, thanks, Richard.” Dad scowls, but his eyes haven’t left Phil.

“If you think-” Richard pulls Dad aside and talks to him in an indistinct murmur.

Phil grabs for Andy, but she spins out of away, stalking across the room to stand next to the silent Jeraldine. I study her, and in return, she studies me.

“You did the right thing.” My stepmother, the woman who has hated me since the day she clapped eyes on me, says with a nod of what looks scarily like respect.

It’s so quiet I almost miss it, but I know what I heard, and I see the ghost of a grateful smile on her lips before she whirls and leaves the room, Stevie and Andy behind her. Something inside me settles.

Mason sidles up next to me and both of us ignore Rafael’s silent bristling. “You all right?”

“No.”

“What can I do?”

I laugh and reach for Rafael’s hand. Mason’s lips tighten, and his hazel eyes flash, but he doesn’t say anything.

“I don’t know, Mase. I’m looking for anyone who knew anything at all about Louis.”

Mason glances around and leans down so his mouth is against my ear. It takes everything in me not to shift away from him. “You remember Old Joe Hinklestein, the bum?”

I nod.

“He’s still where he always has been. Go see him.”

Mason stands up and touches my cheek. It’s a strangely intimate gesture, and I have to fight not to recoil from it. My heart hurts at the disappointment on his face, but I just don’t feel that way about him. I can’t.

“Stay safe, beautiful, and let me know when you’re leaving. I’ll get you through that pack of savages.”

We watch him leave before Rafe squeezes my hand, drawing my attention back to him. He raises his eyebrows.

“I have no idea,” I say honestly.

Dane is arguing heavily with Dad and Richard. They all stop at once.

“You’ll move home,” Dad says.

“Not a chance,” I say back.

“Jackie Blackwell, this is not up for debate,” Dad says in the voice that belongs to the man who ran an empire.

“No, it’s not because I can’t. I’m busy, and if this killer is still out there, then I’m not bringing him here. And it’s Jax now.”

“But-”

“No!” I shout.

Dad purses his lips and scowls, but Dane looks strangely pleased.

“Dad, just ignore them. I’m sorry, really, truly sorry for what I’ve brought on the family,” my voice catches, and I have to stop. “But I’m going to fix this, trust me.”

“You don’t always have to do everything alone, stubborn girl.”

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