"That's why Richard decided it would be best to just pay him what he wanted.
Nathan said he'd stay away from you as long as he had the money to leave the country.
Why do you ask?" "It didn't hit me until just now that Nathan was the reason why you reacted the way you did."
I faced forward again and started walking quickly toward home.
The Mercedes was gone, but my temper was rising.
"I have to go, Mom.
I'll call you later."
"Is everything all right?" she asked anxiously.
"Not yet, but I'm working on it."
"I'm here for you, if you need me."
I sighed.
"I know.
I'm okay.
I love you."
When I got home, Cary was sitting on the couch with his laptop on his thighs and his bare feet on the coffee table.
"Hey," he called, his gaze still on his screen.
I dumped my stuff and kicked off my shoes.
"You know what?" He looked up at me from beneath a lock of hair that had fallen over his eyes.
"What?" "I thought Gideon took a hike because of Nathan.
Everything was fine and then it wasn't, and shortly after that the police were telling us about Nathan.
I figured one thing was linked to the other."
"Makes sense."
He frowned.
"I guess."
"But Nathan was at the Crossfire the Monday before you were attacked.
I know he was there to see Gideon.
I know it.
Nathan wouldn't go there to see me.
Not a place like that with all the security and people I know around."
He sat back.