Page 113 of Forgotten Deeds

“Thanks, Nicky,” Darius tells her. “Everything’s going to be alright. I love you,” he tells me quietly, giving me one more kiss on the top of my head before reluctantly walking out.

Nicky looks over to Enzo. “Outside.”

“But boss said—”

“Boss isn’t here. Outside,” she says firmly.

He mutters something under his breath as he walks out.

“Heard that,” Nicky calls. She turns her attention to me. “I don’t know the details of what happened. Do you need a pelvic exam?” she gently asks.

“No,” I tell her quietly.

“Alright. Let’s start by washing up.” She leads me over to the sink, and I wash the dried blood from my hands and arms. Looking in the mirror, I have blood splattered all over my face. I duck my head under the spray—hoping to wash away the events of this evening like they never happened. Rising up from underneath the faucet, I look back at myself in the mirror. I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me.

“Here’s a towel,” Nicky says, and I dart my eyes away from my reflection, taking it and drying off. “You want me to step out while you change into a hospital gown?”

“No,” I say quickly, not wanting to be left alone.

“We’ve seen each other practically naked anyway, right?” Nicky jokes, trying to lighten the mood as I strip out of my dress—I don’t even remember putting my dress back on.

“Come sit for me,” she says once I’m wearing the stiff hospital gown, and I climb up on the exam table. “I’m going to take your blood pressure.” She wraps a sleeve around my arm before giving it a few pumps. It tightens around me, and the air releases. “Your blood pressure’s a bit high, but understandable given the events of the evening, I’m guessing.”

“Can I tell you something in confidence since you’re a doctor?” I ask.

“I’m not a—” Nicky starts, but then says, “Sure.”

“I killed someone tonight,” I whisper.

“Did this person deserve to die?” Nicky asks, not in the least bit shocked by my admission.

“If I didn’t kill him, he would have killed Darius,” I say, choking up.

“Then the fucker deserved to die,” Nicky declares matter-of-factly. “Lily, listen to me. Drop that guilt you’re carrying, and don’t you dare pick it back up. Ever,” she tells me. “In this family, you’ve got to be fierce to survive. Welcome to the family.” She holds up her hand, and I smile, giving her a high five.

“Don’t tell anyone,” I warn her.

“Who, me? I don’t know nothing.” Nicky winks.

Epilogue

Darius

We arrive at court and go through security. It makes me antsy as hell not being able to carry any weapons, but I suck it up.

Lily slides in beside the lawyer, then Kat, Iris, and me on the end of the aisle. Court begins, and it’s about as dull as watching paint dry. Iris agrees with me; she begins decorating my tie with stickers, her little lips quirked in a devious smile. That’s my kid.

And now, to make it official.

Our case is called, and Lily and I take Iris’ hands as we step up to the podium. “Your honor, the Angelos’ family is here to finalize this adoption,” our lawyer announces. I paid off the caseworker to skip the home study and background check—expediting this process. Plus, I’ve listened to enough true crime podcasts to know not to give the government my fingerprints or access to my home. Thanks, Nonna. “The minor child, Iris, is in court with us today,” our lawyer continues.

“Welcome. And hello, young lady,” the judge says to Iris.

“Hi,” she says politely.

“I see Mr. Angelos is the stepfather. And the biological father, Thomas Harrison, Junior?” The judge asks, looking up from the file.

“Sadly, your Honor, the biological father passed away,” our lawyer’s quick to answer. Did I kill Tommy to take his place? No. Would I have? Hell, yes. And I don’t feel bad about that one fucking bit.

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