Page 71 of Heartfelt Pain
At least I thought so until he showed up at Ren’s.
But Uncle Dima keeps an ear to the ground at all times.
“Between the British triggerman and the Ghost”—Dima shrugs—“it’s a bad time to be a pedophile in this city.”
Elijah untangles his hand from Lennie’s hair and curls it around her shoulder. “How long until thisTrisgoes back to his normal business?”
“No, this is his new business.” Lennie angles toward him. “I think he’s doing a good job.”
Dad sighs and picks up his drink. “I’m not discussing this man anymore.”
Dima follows him out, the pair back to discussing vintage cars.
Elijah’s shit-stirring grin lights up his face. “Must be hard, brother. Watching Tris be so close to Ren.”
Lennie elbows him.
“Why did Ren leave early?” I ask the girls.
They shake their heads again.
“She took time to drive out of the city and stayed for what? Less than thirty minutes.” I lean against the island so they know they can’t run from my questions. “This place is loaded with soda, sugar, and most of her friends. What happened?”
“Nothing,” Russ quickly says.
“Ben and Abe already left too,” I note.
Lennie swallows. “It’s just a kids party.”
“Why do you care so much, brother?”
I ignore Elijah’s question. “Did something happen?”
Lennie shakes her head.
“She invited Yelena to lunch,” Russ blurts.
Even Elijah frowns.
“What?” I ask, pulling out my phone.
Lennie lifts in her seat. “What are you doing?”
There’s not a single fucking message from Ren.
Roma: Where did you go?
Roma: Did something happen?
Roma: Why are you going to lunch with my mother?
“That’s a lot of texts,” Lennie whispers.
I push my phone back into my pocket. “That can’t be the only thing that happened.”
The girls are saved when a little blue fairy runs into the kitchen.
“Uncle Roma!” Sailor launches herself. Picking her up, she throws her arms around me. Any awkwardness in the room bleeds away. “Did you get me a gift?”
