Page 30 of Escape From Me

“The cemetery is ahead,” I said to everyone and no one. I could see X and Cali up ahead, turning onto one of the service roads onto the property while we continued through the main gate.

“Thank you.” Her voice was small, but I’d heard her.

“Thank you? For what?”

Daisy wouldn’t look at me.

“Dove,” I said and forced her to lift her head even if she still avoided my eyes. “I’m sorry about your uncle.” And I was. Sorry he’d been an asshole who deserved it.

“It’s okay. I’m fine. I hadn’t seen him in a few years anyway. He forgot about me. Just like everyone else does.”

The car came to a stop and the driver opened the door. I slid out and held out my hand for my little dove. She hesitated, but she still took it. Something wasn’t going my way. There was no algorithm here. No connections or patterns.

“Daisy, I might not be who you thought I was, but I am not using you. I will never lie to you. I don’t need to get close to your father. He isn’t something that will help us, now is he?”

She looked straight ahead, the black dress falling around her thighs as she stood up and righted herself.

“No. I guess he wouldn’t, would he? But neither should I. You’re the enemy, aren’t you?”

I couldn’t stop the way my face lost all emotion. Her words hit something raw inside me.

“Sometimes the devil you know isn’t what you think, dove.”

If she knew even the half of it. I would have to show her, but not now. Not today.

There was no glance up, no questions. Those were the last words she said before I watched her walk off toward a tent set up graveside. The turnout was a bit smaller than I would have expected, but the suits and dresses still screamed money even from this distance. There were still bodies in uniform from the precinct, but this was a controlled size, there was no doubt.

I glanced back at Cas, and without words I knew he understood. I jogged to catch up to her, reaching out for her arm and pulling her to my side.

“I am still here for you, even if you hate me.”

I supposed I was just happy she didn’t push me away.

We were close enough now that I could pick out who was who. It was curious that this was the funeral. There was to be a large memorial, but this seemed all backward. I supposed if you have more money than god, it really didn’t matter what you did.

We got closer and closer, and I swore it felt like she was trying to fall behind.

“I’m still here. We will be watching.”

She paused a few feet away from the tent, speaking just loud enough I could hear her.

“Thank you for showing me what it would feel like to be someone to somebody. Even if it was you, prince asshole.”

And then she pulled away and approached her father and her mother, who didn’t appear to give a shit that she was there. I reached for her hand, refusing to let her go alone. There was a moment where she didn’t hold my hand in return, but the closer we got, the harder her grip got.

I was a step behind, but I heard the whispered first words from her mother’s mouth.

“There you are. You left us in quite the spot. How is the migraine, dear?”

Migraine?

“Mother, I didn’t—” She was cut off when the new judge turned around with a smirk that was begging for me to wipe it off his face.

“Ah. There is the lucky woman. You’re even more beautiful up close.”

Her mother ignored me, but Senator Ashford couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off me. Fine by me.

“See, Judge Hart. I told you she would be feeling better. Perhaps you and Daisy can get to know each other.”

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