a trafficker, or a dirty law firm, it doesn’t take long to gather your information. I say go for it. Remember what she said, ‘It might take some time.’”
Pierce stares at me, then at him. The look he gives his brother is somewhere between a, ‘you shouldn’t be here’ and an ‘I got you’.
“Would you mind giving us a few minutes, Beac?”
This time Beacon doesn’t protest. He steps out of the office and takes Arden with him.
“What are you thinking, Ley?”
“It seems so easy. Too simple to be real,” I voice my worry and don’t stop. “Just like us, and look at us. It’s over.”
He gives me a sad smile. “We were easy. I made it fucking complicated. It was so simple to reach for the perfect love that I forgot to be mindful of you—and our relationship. The only thing she promised is to put your file up if you pass the screening. That’s not simple. It’s just a first step. We can fill out the application right now. You have nothing to lose and maybe a lot to win.”
“Okay,” I tell him.
Beacon comes back into the office while Pierce and I are filling out the application. When I have to disclose my assets, they both stare at me.
“What the fuck, Leyla?” Pierce claims.
“Duh fuh,” Arden repeats, and Beacon bursts into laughter.
“Mills is going to kill me,” Pierce flinches. “I—Nobody tell him.”
Beacon grins. “That’s going to cost you. Luckily your wife is a billionaire.”
“Seriously, Ley, you have that much money?”
I nod a couple of times. “Tainted money that I’m turning into good deeds. Like the shelter and the dispensary. The hospital, too.”
“You’re the silent investor?”
I smile.
“Of course you are,” he sighs. “Okay, let’s finish this. I’m so glad Mom didn’t find out about it.”
He gives me a strange look. I’m sure he’s wondering how it is that no one connects that money to me. My grandfather created a trust within a trust that’s under a company’s name. I don’t know exactly how he managed it, but I’m glad he did because, in a way, I’m invisible.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Leyla
The practice opens the next week on a Friday. We haven’t found anyone to take care of Arden yet. Sophia told me she had someone in mind. I trust her with my business, but it’s hard to trust her with a kid. Her parents are staying in town for a couple of weeks to help Mills with Arden. They are the best people in the world.
Some days, I wish they were my parents.
Earlier today, they came to give me a crucifix and holy water. They said I should put them in my office to keep my place blessed. They are the sweetest. I’m so happy that I will live so close to their vacation home.
“The place is full,” Pierce announces, entering the lab where I’m pretending to be working when in truth, I’m hiding. His eyebrows knit and those green eyes stare at me deeply. “Why are you here?”
“The place is full,” I repeat his words, terrified. “With people.”
Taking me into his arms he whispers in my ear, “It’s okay. They came to wish you good luck. Even when you avoid them, they kind of like you.”
“You’re just making up stuff,” I disregard him.
He releases me and pulls out the phone. After fidgeting with it, he shows me one of the social media accounts of the town. The picture of my clinic is there.
The vet is open. Bring your furry kids. Dr. Aldridge is the best in the area.
“That’s a nice compliment,” I state, returning his phone.
He pulls out a thin box from his pocket and gives it to me.
“What is this?”
He shrugs.
I open it, and it’s a bracelet with a few charms dangling: a pup, a cat, and a horse. There’s a stethoscope in the middle.
“This is perfect,” I say, grinning from ear to ear.
There’s a note underneath it,
Congratulations,
Pierce.
“How were our kids this morning?” I ask, putting it back in the box and then inside my white lab coat.
He rolls his eyes. “Ally tried to escape. Nothing new. We should ride the horses around town this weekend if you have time. I think they’re tired of the arenas.”
“We can try on Sunday,” I suggest. “Apparently, it’s the day when everyone does whatever they want to avoid family.”
“Still bitter that Sophia is ditching you guys?”
I shrug, “A little. We can’t get together because she’s trying to get pregnant. Blaire is too tired. I am about to become an outcast.”
“They told you when we