Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
It takes a lot of effort not to keep some trick hidden away, some secret page copied just in case, but that was the old Brenden. That was how the thief used to think, always working a new angle, playing a new game. It’s not the person I want to be anymore and truly burning these books in front of Haik is an important victory, like getting rid of the extra apartments with Riley, and like telling Tallie how I feel.
No more hiding. No more running away.
This is my future and there’s no changing it anymore.
“Well, that’s fine.” Haik turns from the barrel. “I’ll report back to the boss. I’m sure he’ll be pleased.”
“I hope so.”
“It was crazy, what you did. Auditing his damn books like that. Stealing from the Davises.” Another loud laugh. I can’t tell if Haik actually buys that story or not. “He must’ve put you up to it from the start.”
“It was definitely a long term plan.”
“I take it things are good then? With you and my daughter?”
“They’re good,” I say, not willing to go into more detail. As much as I love Tallie, I still don’t trust her father.
“I hope so. I wasn’t sure about you when Arsen made his plans clear, but you’ve grown on me. I think you’ve grown on my daughter too.” He beams at me as I step out into the sunlight. “Any grandchildren on the way?”
“I don’t know. I mean, we haven’t—“
“Get to fucking work then!” He slams the door before I can say anything and leaves me alone on the stoop.
Fucking hell. I look up at the trees, gathering myself, as my future burns away in a barrel in the back yard of my father-in-law’s massive house. How’d I get here? Willingly throwing away everything I’ve built?
I take a trip to a donation center and unload all my stuff. Tallie’s waiting for me as the sun droops a couple hours later, sitting in our small back garden, watching the first spring fireflies. She smiles, brightening when I walk out to her, and kisses me back when I bend down.
“How was it?” she asks.
I slump into a chair. “About what you’d expect.”
“I’m sorry I missed it.”
“No, you’re not, and that’s okay.” I take her hand and hold it. The night’s quiet. “I’m starving, but I don’t want to get up.”
“We can stay here as long as you want.”
“Are you sure about that?”
She squeezes my hand and leans over to kiss my neck. “I’m extremely positive.”
EPILOGUE: TALIN
Three Months Later
“I want to say for the record that I fucking hate this.” Sam dumps a massive black bag onto his desk and brushes his hands on his pants like he’s cleaning off filth.
“There’s no record.” I peer inside. It’s packed with money. “If I check your books, is this going to be the right amount?”
“Yes, sir.” He looks aggrieved.
“And if I check the other books, the ones you have hidden—“
“No such thing.”
“—in that loose board behind your desk, the numbers will still be right.”
Now he looks angry. “How do you know about that?”
“I’m married to the best thief in Baltimore, remember?”
“Tell Brenden to stay out of my stuff. It’s his fault I’m in this mess.”
“No, it’s your fault. He saves your life. Don’t forget it. Now, are the numbers right?”
“They’re right.” Sam slumps back into his chair with a deep, emotional sigh. “Despite my best intentions.”
“I’m not even going to think too hard about that.” I sling the bag over my shoulder. It’s surprisingly heavy. “Arsen wants you to double your games, by the way.”
Sam flinches back. “Seriously?”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“No, it’s good, it’s just unexpected. Isn’t he mad at me?”
“Probably, but you’re earning.” I pat the thick, money-packed bag. “That’s more important than anything else.”
“Guess you’re right.” Sam strokes his chin thoughtfully. “I think I know a few more people who would be happy to lose their substantial life savings.”
“We’ll discuss it first.”
“You don’t have to be involved in every single decision I make, you know.”
“Actually, I do, and if you recall, I’m the reason you’ve been thriving lately.”
He throws up his hands. “I built this operation!”
“And I’ve been making it profitable and sustainable, so quit your whining.” I beam at him. “Pleasure seeing you as always, brother of mine.”
“Yeah, yeah. Hold on a sec, are we still on for Wednesday? Davit bugged me to ask.”
“Absolutely. See you then.” I stride out of his office, the bag thumping against my side. For the past few weeks I’ve been having Annie, Davit, and Sam over for dinner and it’s been shockingly nice. They still drive me crazy, but now that I’m out of the house and on my own, I find it doesn’t get to me that much.
The front room is filled with card players. I get a few looks but most hurry to glance away. Despite walking past some big, strong, greedy men carrying what’s clearly a bag stuffed with cash, not a single one of them bothers me. Mostly because they know who my backers are and what would happen if their worst impulses got the best of them.