Page 84 of Sweet Lies

“Anything in E’s mind is R when it comes to you, Bec,” Claire says, standing. “We need to talk,” she aims at me.

Not waiting for a response, she heads out of the room.

I glance at Andre, and he raises his eyebrow. “No clue. Go. Speak with her.”

“Gee, thanks, oh wise one,” I murmur back.

I stand and shake my legs to wake them up before following her out of the room.

I find her in the front garden, smoking a cigarette. “I thought you quit,” I mutter, staring into the distance. For a moment, I focus on a fascinating blue bird on a branch—anything to get my mind off having this conversation.

“I did. Not had one in years. Not since Dad died. I was pregnant and never went back to it after Becca was born.”

I nod. “Must be a hell of a day if you’re starting your morning with one.”

“More like a hell of a few weeks. Elijah said I should listen to your story. I will. I want you to understand I will always stand behind this family, no matter what’s said. If you can’t understand that, then we’ll never have a relationship of any kind again.”

Breathing out, I find the words I had not long since spoken to my brother. I’d gone years without talking about it, and now it was coming back like a bad penny.

Continuing to stare at the bird, I let the words tumble out. I know there’s a coldness in my tone, but I can’t handle letting all my emotions out as I did with Elijah. It was too much. This time I need to be cold to get through the coming days.

Once I’m done, standing in silence, she plucks another cancer machine from the pack and lights it before putting it to her lips.

Finally, she speaks. “Nothing I say will take away your pain. You’ve lived this long without my words, so they’ll do nothing for you now, as they would’ve done nothing for you then. But you’ve done well, Rebecca. You survived when most would have perished, not just in body, but in mind. You beat me in strength a long time ago. I will promise you that Sebastian will pay though. We’ll all make sure of that.”

“Did he know?” I ask, referring to Alex.

The cigarette pauses an inch from her lips. “No. He didn’t know. He thought you were dead along with the rest of us. He liked you. He was so happy you were alive, so he could start making things up to you. He wants you in our lives. We all do. But that will be your choice. Your choices have been taken away long enough, so this will be your decision.”

“Mine and E’s,” I respond, referring to the blood oath.

“You’ve always had him eating out of your hand. If it’s what you want.” Putting out the cigarette, she crumples the rest of the pack in her hand.

“Quitting again?” I ask, grinning at her action.

“Yeah. Something like that.” And she smiles, stepping back into the house.

I find Elijah and Andre in the kitchen. Andre glances at me, and I know he wants the details of my conversation with Claire. He’ll get them later.

“What are you two doing?” I ask.

“Going over details for today,” Andre answers.

“What time is the wedding?”

“Noon. We need to be at the church by eleven thirty,” Elijah answers this time. “We’ll have men nearby just in case.”

“Do you think they’ll pull something?”

“Yes and no. We’ll see. I have Connor’s men here. Logan has Alex’s. We’ll use their lack of knowledge against them if they try anything,” Elijah says. “We’ll be back home soon enough though. I have men back there talking to business owners. It seems a lot of them have been unhappy for some time with how things have been run and they’re happy to have us back, as hilarious as that sounds. Better the devil you know…or remember in this case.”

I nod.

“Alex will be here soon,” Elijah mutters, just before the doorbell rings. We can hear the sound of Claire rushing down the stairs. I’d hate to be on the stairs right now because I’m sure she would shove me out of the way.

Andre looks at me, and I see the question in his eyes—am I ready to see him again? I nod. There’s no other way. I’ll have to see him at some point, and this is as good a time as any.

I hear them mumbling to each other before they join us in the kitchen. For a moment, my breath catches when I look at Alex. I’d recognize him anywhere—he’s hardly changed in the last five years. When I first met him, I liked him for Claire. He seemed to be a good soul. We’ll see if my first judgment was correct or if our history will get in the way.

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