Killing him would mean I would forever have the guilt of hurting Arabella’s father. But shooting Adam Davenport would also ensure I got my revenge. But as I stand here waiting for him, I realize I need to make a choice.
What means more to me at this point—the woman who stole my heart, or the man who stole my father. Killing her mother hasn’t left me with any guilt. Pandora hated everyone she came into contact with, including her daughter. And when I pulled the trigger, I most certainly didn’t expect to see Arabella’s tears, and I didn’t.
The thought of her being alone at school irks me. Even though Ahren is meant to watch over her, at a distance, all I can do is hope she doesn’t run. I wanted to tell her I’d be back, but I couldn’t. I needed to do this before I went back there. Before I made my appearance back in her life.
“You came.”
I turn to face Adam Davenport. The man looks aged, like he’s been having countless sleepless nights. Perhaps he has. Guilt has eaten away at him, and now that we’re meeting face to face, I wonder if he sees my father in me.
“I did.”
“You brought a gun,” he observes, his gaze flicking between my face and the weapon in my hand. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am. There was a lot that you didn’t know about him.”
“I didn’t come here to talk about my father. I came here to keep a promise.” I step toward him and notice the glint of fear that flicks in his eyes as he regards me. “Your daughter is mine. I’m not giving up on her, no matter how many times she may send me away.”
He looks at me then, and I lift the gun, pointing it at him. My finger lingers over the trigger, and for a moment, I wonder if he’ll run. But he doesn’t.
His question stills me. “Do you love her?”
Do I?
Yes.
“I do,” I affirm. “I love her more than I’ve loved any woman before, and I know I’ll love her until my final breath.” There’s no lie in my voice, in my words. Arabella is mine and she will always be mine.
“I want her safe.” His voice cracks, and I see the shimmering emotion sparkling in his eyes. “I want her taken care of for the rest of her days.” Even though this man had my father killed, his love for his daughter is endless. Even looking down the barrel of a gun, facing death, all he’s concerned about is her safety, her happiness.
“I can do that.” I lower my hand. “On one condition.”
His eyes widen as he regards me. “Anything.”
“You pay for your sins,” I tell him with conviction in my tone. I came her for revenge. I drove all this way, faced the man before me, and I am not someone who walks away empty handed.
Adam looks at me, and I can tell there is turmoil dancing in his mind. He doesn’t know what to do, how to repent. But I know. I’m well versed in seeking salvation. Only, I found mine with a beautiful woman waiting in Black Mountain for me.
“Anything. Just make sure Arabella is alive, safe, and happy. I want her to be loved. Give her everything she deserves. And tell her I love her.” He trembles, but I’m not sure if it’s fear, or something else that takes a hold of him.
I nod, and then I get my revenge.
37
Arabella
School.
Classes.
But no Elian Donati.
It’s been a week since my world imploded, yet he’s nowhere to be seen. I’ve had my ear pods in every day, ignoring everyone and anyone who would want to talk to me. The playlist has been depressing, heart-wrenching songs have been on repeat. With Tommy gone and my mother murdered by the man I’d been sleeping with, the only part of my past still somewhere in the world is my father.
Forgiveness is a heavenly virtue I don’t possess. The men in my life have lied to me, hurt me, and kept me in the dark while promising to care for me. Elian may not have said those three words I longed to hear, but he did act as if I were his. And for a long while, I believed it. I felt it right down to my bones.
Right now, I’m no longer sure about anything. I haven’t seen him at school, so I’m not sure where he’s gone, but if he’s decided just to leave Black Mountain without even saying goodbye, I need to move on.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
Elian’s not a man you just get over. He’s everything, all-consuming, and I allowed him to take every part of me with him. And all he left behind were memories that slowly etch deeper grooves into my heart as each day passes.
When I make my way downstairs, I find Aunt Midge sitting at the kitchen table. She looks tired, and I wonder why she doesn’t retire. It’s not like she needs to work. She glances up and smiles.
“Just the girl I wanted to talk to.”
Sliding into a chair, I attempt a smile, which I’m almost sure comes out as a grimace. “Me? What did I do this time?”
She shakes her head, sliding a folder toward me. “This is yours, and I wanted to give it to you as a graduation present. I know you came to Black Mountain because of lies and betrayal, and you haven’t had many chances to just enjoy your time here. But with prom coming up and then your graduation, I thought it would be good for you to have something to look forward to.”
I open it, finding a set of keys along with a card, which has the date and time to be home to meet one of
