Page 186 of Beautifully Ruined
I sit back down and take her hand. “Of course, I will.”
Gianna has nothing to worry about. I’ve met her mom, and I remember how nice she was, and can only guess at the pain she’s been through.
“What if she blames me, wha?—”
“She won’t.”
Gianna’s about to speak when the door opens, and Cassandra flies in, her face tear-stained, makeup free, and a smile that’s so loaded with love and crushed hope coming back to life.
“Oh, my baby!” She opens her arms as I get up to move out of the way, out of the room.
“Mom.” They hug and cry and cling.
Shit, even I tear up, a lump in my throat forming and my vision blurring. I blink furiously, dashing at my eyes as I witness an intensely private moment of such pure happiness.
Cassandra sits on the bed, Gianna’s head on her mother’s shoulder, skinny arms around her as her mom holds her.
Cassandra looks at me, clearly not caring she isn’t the vision of perfection. Her T-shirt is on inside out, and I’m betting she was sleeping when she got the call and her world changed forever.
Husband no doubt going to prison or worse. His career is over, crushed by his involvement. And her daughter found.
“Thank you for saving my Gia. I remember you at the office.” I see why she’s such a perfect political asset because she pulls herself together in moments while still showing her vulnerable side. “You knew Joseph was involved then, didn’t you?”
I swallow. “I had a hunch.”
“You’re a heroine. Saving my baby.”
But my cheeks burn as I shake my head. “My boyfriend, Cade…it was mostly him who tracked Gianna down.” I head to the door and pause, saying, “I hope we can stay in touch, be friends, but if not, that’s okay, too. I’ll leave you to have some alone time.”
I walk out and find Cade.
“Hey,” he says, as Enzo hangs by the door. “I was coming to find you. Slight change of plans. Can you wait here. I know the doctor thought it might be good to have you in overnight.”
“Do that, and I kill you.”
“I’ll be back.” He swallows a smile. “Someone will be watching you.”
“What are you up to?”
He looks at me. “Taking care of Joseph. Zayne has Thomas already, but Joseph is slippery. He isn’t on the data we got.”
I frown. “But…”
“We’ll take care of him. I’m gonna make sure he never hurts anyone else again.”
Just like whatever Zayne’s going to do to Thomas, I think. He might be in law enforcement, but he’s clearly involved on some level with Cade.
After they leave, I go down to the café and get some food and coffee and then I call Lia.
“Amazing,” my friend says, “that we’ve been spending so much time together, and I haven’t seen or heard from you.”
I take a sip of the coffee. “I’m sorry, I am. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. It’s just been a shit few weeks.”
Lia sniffs. “Well, it’s going to take a lot of wine to earn my forgiveness.” She pauses. “How are things with Cade? He was pissed off when he called and found out you’ve been lying to him. Thanks for the heads up by the way.”
“Come on, I’ve gotten you out of trouble.”
“Not the same.” But she laughs. “Can we hang this weekend?”
