Page 110 of The Bratva King

“Which one?”

I tell her, and she tilts her head, considering. “No, I don’t gamble. That’s not it.” She’s still studying my face. “Have you lived in Vegas long?”

“A couple years.” The lie comes easily. I’ve practiced it enough times. I lick my suddenly dry lips. My palms are sweaty now, too. “Before that I was in the Midwest. Ohio.”

“Hmm.” She doesn’t look convinced. “I could swear I know you from somewhere.”

I laugh, but it sounds forced even to my ears. “I just have one of those faces, I guess. Super common.”

“Maybe.” She’s still looking at me with that puzzled expression. “Are you an influencer? Maybe I’ve seen you online?”

“No.”

She doesn’t know you. She can’t know you. You look nothing like Gabriella, the mafia princess who was forced to marry an evil man doesn’t exist.

But what if she does know? What if she’s from New York? New Jersey? What if she’s connected?

I don’t want this woman to see Luke. I don’t know why, but I’m trusting my gut.

“Excuse me,” I say and walk away.

Thankfully, I’m allowed to go back and watch from where the woman can’t see me.

When they’re finished, Rebecca takes us back to her office and closes the door.

“He did great,” she says. “Really great. I’ll put together a schedule and email you in a couple of days. I’m thinking once a week OT. Maybe twice a week.”

“Thank you.”

She hands me some papers. “These are some activities you can do at home. And here’s my initial assessment. We’ll do a full write-up after a few more sessions.”

I take the papers. “What do you think?”

“It’s too early for me to diagnose anything, but I’m seeing several markers consistent with autism. I’d like to do a more comprehensive evaluation once I’ve spent some more time with him.”

I nod slowly. I thought hearing the word would scare me. Instead, something inside me loosens. And I feel relief more than anything.

Maybe there’s finally an explanation. A way to understand what Luke needs instead of constantly wondering if I’m getting it wrong.

Luke’s hand finds mine, and I squeeze it gently.

We make it to the front desk, where I schedule the next appointment. The woman from earlier is gone. I check the parking lot through the window before we leave, scanning for anyone who looks like they’re waiting.

Nothing. Just normal people going about their normal days.

“You did so good, buddy,” I tell Luke as we walk to the car. “I’m so proud of you.”

“She had dinosaurs,” he says.

“Yeah? What kind?”

“All kinds. Even a parasaurolophus.”

I smile. “That’s a good one.”

I buckle him into his car seat and close the door. Before I get in on the driver’s side, I check the parking lot again. Still nothing.

I’m paranoid. That woman was just making conversation. People do that. Normal people who aren’t running from their past.