Page 29 of Till Death Do Us Part

“I’ll take it as a compliment.”

“What did happen, then?” She spoke it in a whisper, and I guess fuck all did it matter at this point. If I was going to kill her, my secrets would die with her.

“Already said we weren’t discussing this subject anymore,” I muttered. “But I guess… one more for the road. Whitecliffs killed my mother. Didn’t do it directly. They sabotaged the walkway. They were trying to kill all three of us. But I was falling behind because I was tired, complaining. My father stayed behind with me, trying to get me to hurry up. And my mother didn’t notice at first. Not until she was far enough ahead the whole platform fell away below her…” I shook my head. “It was along a cliff face. Not too different from this one. I swear I can hear the scream she made when I walk in… places like this.”

“Vera,” she whispered, eyes wide. I pinched my eyes shut.

“People die. It happens. We weren’t part of the Blackbird family, but we did business with them. Knowingly. People take risks when they agree to work with a family like that. The only part that gets me is just… knowing my father could have caught her if we’d been closer. If I hadn’t been… tired. Weak.”

“Oh, God, Vera.” She caressed her fingers through the hair on the back of my head. “You can’t know that. If you’d been closer, you might have just all died instead.”

“My father was good at what he did. Fast. Strong. Skilled. Good instincts. He’s the one who trained me. He could have saved her. But it’s fine. We make mistakes,” I said hoarsely. “Sometimes those mistakes kill people. So you just try not to make any more mistakes.”

Elaine wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into an embrace, and I was bitterly embarrassed to find that I was crying. “You were just a child, Vera,” she whispered. “You didn’t deserve that. No one does.”

I breathed slowly. The words were soft, unraveling something in my chest that had been bound too tightly for too long.

I didn’t like it. It made me want to hold onto her and tell her other things. It made me want to kiss her, too.

“Not used to talking about this shit,” I muttered.

“We all need to let it out sometimes.”

“Let me guess,” I said. “You considered psychology, social work, or both.”

She let out a short, surprised laugh. “I just… like to help people.”

“Which one?” I elbowed her teasingly. She blushed, looking away.

“I wanted to be a children’s counselor for a little while, but… I think putting those things in practice instead of just in words helps. Library programs that help actively support kids in healing and growth.”

“Ha. I bet you’re popular.”

She shrugged, picking at the hem of her dress, blushing harder. “I just talk to the kids like real people. They appreciate that.”

Not my favorite target to kill. Didn’t matter, though. If I could put a bullet between my own father’s eyes, I could do this.

I squeezed her shoulder. “Wish I hadn’t met you.”

“Huh?”

I smirked. “You’re too good to have gotten dragged into this shit. But hey. Works for me. Now I’ve got a wife who will listen to me complain.”

“Vera,” she laughed shyly, blushing harder.

“And not bad to look at, either,” I said, brushing my thumb over her cheek. She swallowed hard, looking at me through her lashes, and I couldn’t help sneaking just a little glance at her lips.

Maybe I could kiss her just once. Just a little.

Chapter 13

elaine

I thought for a second Vera might have actually kissed me there, but just as suddenly, she pulled away, standing up. She seemed steadier now, like she was feeling better, and I stood up with her as she faced the cliff face with more strength now.

“Ready?” I said, and she nodded.

“Ready enough. Stick close to me. I can’t be distracted worrying about losing you.”