I let go of his hand. “How? You’re laid up in a hospital bed after almost dying. Do you hear me? DYING???? Look around this room? How can you put your family through all the stress after everything they’ve been through?” I couldn’t look at him. “I won’t lose another person.” There was a broken piece inside of me that needed soothing. Brody getting involved would do nothing towards that and would take me even further off my game than I already had been.
“You won’t lose me.”
“I already thought I did! No. I’ve had too much loss in my life already; a toxic childhood, my mother, my sister, my niece, and pretty much everyone who has ever meant anything to me. I won’t let you put yourself in danger. I won’t allow it.”
“Allow? That’s an interesting term since I don’t work for you which means I also don’t take orders from you.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Brody’s mom as she watched the back and forth between us with both trepidation and humor. I knew she could see immediately why we were attracted to each other. Everyone could feel our intense chemistry the moment I stepped into the room. I could see the worry lines etched across her face too.
It was too soon for her son to be getting worked up. She quietly managed to come between us and put a gentle hand on my shoulder and Brody’s arm. “Maybe we can discuss this further after Brody has had a chance to get a little more rest.”
Like a petulant school boy, he closed his eyes. “I don’t need to discuss anything. I already know what I’m going to do.”
Chapter 13
Cecily Manchetti had been nervously chewing on her bottom lip and watching the clock like a hawk. For the past forty minutes, she hadn’t heard one word her teacher said. She was too anxious to concentrate. When the bell rang, she shot out of her chair and into the hallway that was quickly filling up with throngs of school girls.
“Leilani!” She shouted out above the chatter and laughter of her classmates. Leilani heard her name being called and turned around. She made eye contact with Cecily, who was waving like crazy. Cecily pointed to their Art classroom. It was empty, and since it was the end of the day, they wouldn’t be disturbed.
After a few minutes, the girls made their way into the room and closed the noise out as they shut the door behind them. “What’s up, Cecily? I got your text.”
“I have something I was hoping you could translate for me. But, before I show it to you, you’ve got to promise not to say a word about it after you’ve read it.”
“We’re best friends. I’d never tell your secrets.”
“I mean it Leilani. This is one you will have to take to your grave.”
She crossed her heart. “I promise that I will never say anything about whatever it is. Although, I do have to say you’ve more than piqued my interest. What is it? What do you want me to translate?”
“It’s in Mandarin.”
Leilani’s eyebrows furrowed together. “Why would you want me to translate Mandarin? You speak and read it just as well as I do.”
Cecily bit down on her bottom lip. “I don’t think I’m reading it right. I can’t be reading it right.”
Leilani shrugged. “Okay, where is it?”
Cecily pulled her cell phone out of her purse and handed it to her. She folded her arms across her chest as she continued to gnaw on her lip—waiting for answers.
Leilani studied the images on the screen long and hard. “How’d you get this? Where did you get this?”
“Never mind that. What does it say?”
Leilani blinked rapidly as she cleared her throat. “The headline says—The Lee-Xiou Soap Opera continues. Nina Lee-Xiou, the daughter of prominent businessman, Chang Lee-Xiou, long thought to be dead, resurfaced after more than a fifteen-year absence.”
Cecily suddenly felt hot all over. She took off her burgundy uniform sweater and sat down in the nearest chair. Her voice was barely a whisper. “That can’t be right.” She spoke more to herself than to Leilani.
Her friend sat down next to her. “I’m positive that’s what it says, Cecily. Why do you care about someone in China? Who is she to you?”
Cecily used her thumb and forefinger to rub circles on her temples. “Look at her picture. I mean really look at it and you tell me.”
Leilani did exactly that. Slowly she lifted her head and gazed at Cecily for a long time studying her features. Then she looked back down at the image on her cell phone. After what seemed like an eternity Leilani responded. “She’s your mother. I thought she was dead.”
Cecily dropped her face into her hands. “So did I.”
Chapter 14
Gina Lee-Xiou
I entered my bedroom with a breakfast tray as Brody was getting off of his phone. His back was to me. He wore a pair of pajama bottoms and nothing else. Even after being down for a couple of months that man’s back still looked as if he’d been in the gym every day since the shooting. Focus Gina. Not on running your hands all over his body but on helping him get well. “Hey? How are you feeling?”
His eyes shined when he turned around and made contact with mine. “I’m good, Florence.” He chuckled to himself.
“Florence?” I sat the tray down on the table next to the bed.
“Yeah, Florence Nightingale
