Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 72969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
I breathe in again, exhale.
The vibration from Belinda’s music flows into my shoulders through the wall. I let it seep into me, infuse me with its goodness and beauty.
“Daniela.”
My eyes shoot open. Vinnie stands there, his expression grave.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says.
“No problem.” I keep my voice soft so as not to disturb Belinda. “I just love listening to her play.”
“I know you do.” He smiles gently. “She’s something truly special.”
“She is.” I lean back against the wall. “I was just thinking about how grateful I am to you, not just for what you’ve done for me, but for her as well.”
He nods. “I’m glad I was able to do it. Somehow, I’m going to make amends for everything horrible my grandfather did.”
I look down. “I’d like to be able to make amends for everything horrible my father did as well.”
“All you need to do is live your life, Daniela,” he says. “After what your father put you through—”
I gesture to stop him. “Therapy is helping. Just being here is helping. Believe it or not, I think Belinda may be the best help of all.”
“Her music?”
“Her music and just…her. Having someone to care for. To look after. Someone who needs me.” I pause a moment. “It feels so… I don’t how to explain it. I feel stronger because of it, I guess.”
“You’ve been great with her. She loves you.”
“I love her too. I want to do everything I can to help her heal from her past.”
“You’re doing it, Daniela. I can see her improving every day.” He clears his throat. “On an unrelated note, I have some good news.”
“Yes?”
“Raven’s father has woken up from his coma.”
I smile. “That is wonderful. She’ll be so happy.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, she’s giddy. We’re getting ready to leave to go see him. I just wanted to let you know we probably won’t be home for dinner.”
“That’s all right. I’ll just make something for Belinda and me.”
He laughs then. “I’m not sure why I employ a full-time cook. You never let her do her job.”
I shrug. “Cooking makes me happy. If I could do nothing for the rest of my life except cook and listen to Belinda play, I think I would die a happy woman.”
“You have a lot more to accomplish than that.” He pats my shoulder. “You’ve only just turned eighteen. Your whole life is ahead of you, Daniela.”
I nod. “And it’s because of you that I have a life. Thank you.”
“You never have to thank me.” He glances at his watch. “Raven and I will be back sometime after dinner.”
“All right.”
As he leaves, I lean back against the wall, and I let the vibrations of Belinda’s music sink into me once more.
3
HAWK
Grace comes out of Dad’s room. “Everything is looking good,” she says.
“And the aphasia?”
She purses her lips. “It’s not uncommon. Your father was in a coma for months. His brain just got back online.”
I chuckle. “You have an interesting way of putting things, Grace.”
“Guess it’s my caterpillar half.” She touches my arm.
Yeah, I should really ask her out.
So what’s stopping me?
“Hey, Grace…” I begin as she heads back toward the nurses’ station.
But then I stop.
My sister Raven and her boyfriend, Vinnie, are walking toward me. Behind them, Robin appears.
“Hey,” I say to all of them.
Grace walks back toward us. “You guys are going to think I’m crazy, just like Hawk did, but I need to see all of your IDs.”
“What?” Robin asks a little sharply.
But that’s Robin for you.
“It’s your brother’s orders,” Grace says.
“You know exactly who we are,” Robin says, again sharply.
“Oh, Robbie, you know Falcon.” Raven pats her hip. “Shit. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
“What is it, baby?” Vinnie asks.
She slaps her palm against her forehead. “I was so excited that Dad was awake that I forgot my purse. It’s back home.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Vinnie says. “You know who she is, Grace. You know her father wants to see her.”
Grace sighs. “I’m sorry. No exceptions. I’m not trying to be a badass or anything.”
“I already talked to Falcon about it,” I say. “Dad’s attorneys are requiring it.”
Robin rolls her eyes as she pulls out her ID and flashes it at Grace. “Satisfied?”
Grace isn’t bothered at all by her rudeness. “Absolutely. Go on in and see your dad.”
“You’re not seriously going to make us go get the ID, are you?” Vinnie says.
“I’m so sorry,” Grace says.
“It’s okay, Grace,” I cut in. “I’m sorry, Ray. If the attorneys and security are requiring it…”
“It’s no problem,” Vinnie says. “I’ll just call Daniela. She can bring it over.”
“What about Eagle?” Raven asks.
I let out a huff of air unintentionally. “Not here yet.”
“Seriously?” Raven says. “When I talked to Falcon, he told me he called Eagle first.”
I resist an eye roll. This is so very Eagle. Falcon calls him first, and he’s the last to show up. Probably gave him some flimsy excuse. Something that involves Scarlett Ramsey again, no doubt.