“Mother!” I exclaim with disgust. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! If the last few months have taught us anything, it’s that people with the darkest hearts can look like Ivy League prep boys. Unlike the rest of you, Phoenix’s never asked me to do something against my moral fiber. I’m sorry you’re angry with me for telling the truth, but I didn’t have a choice. I’m as disappointed as everyone else that my brother turned out to be a felon. But, it’s the way it goes. It’s not Phoenix’s fault. He has been nothing less than honorable.”
My dad looks down at Bruiser as he says, “You’ve always been fond of bringing home strays. This poor excuse for a human being is probably just another one of your rescue projects. I bet he doesn’t even have a job,” my father snaps. “Besides, he has shifty eyes.”
“He does not have shifty eyes!” I protest. “For the record, he has a job which pays more than yours. Not only that, he has another job waiting in the wings.”
Phoenix kisses my temple and puts his arm around my shoulder. “Zoe, you don’t have to take this. You can get your paperwork elsewhere. This isn’t worth it to you.”
My mom’s face turns red. “Really? All you want is paperwork? You didn’t even come to console us in our time of grief. You know, your brother is missing?”
“Argh! Mom, Vinnie isn’t missing! He pretended to be violently ill and persuaded the guard to take off his handcuffs and shackles. Then, he walked away from his trial. That’s not the same as a missing child.”
“Well, you don’t know that. Your brother could be dead and you don’t care.”
My mom’s words bring me up short. “You know, you’re right. After I heard what he did to that poor teenager and Katie, he can rot in hell for all I care.”
“Zoelle Dominique Hurlington, I don’t even know who you are,” my dad yells as he places his hands on his hips. “It’s like I don’t even have a daughter anymore. I should just disown you.”
“With all due respect sir, if that is the way you’re going to treat her, she’s probably better off alone.”
Phoenix quietly walks me away from the confrontation. It’s a good thing his arm is around my waist. My knees are shaking so bad I’m about to fall down. He helps me get into the truck and Bruiser hops in without hesitation. As I am fumbling to put my seatbelt on, my mother knocks on the window of the truck. She has an accordion file in her hand. I roll down my window and she thrusts it at me.
“Until you can come to your senses and understand all those senseless accusations leveled against your brother are lies, you’re no longer allowed in this house and you do not exist to us. Do you understand?”
I nod. “Not much room to get confused. Obviously, Vinnie can do no wrong and I can do no right. You made your choice, now I’m free to make mine.” I take a deep breath and let it out before I add, “Goodbye. I hope you find the peace you’re looking for.” I put the file on the floorboard and roll up the window.
Phoenix throws the truck in reverse. After we hit the main road, he reaches out to grasp my hand. “I’m so sorry, Zoe. I wish things would’ve gone differently.”
I glance out the window and watch the landscape fly by. “Yeah, me too, but I guess I don’t have to worry about my parents missing me if we end up in Oregon.”
Phoenix lifts my hand up and kisses the back of it. “Thank God for small blessings.”
I shrug. “I guess so. I mean, I expected it to go poorly because my parents wouldn’t even look at me during the trial, but I never figured they would completely disown me for following the court order. I mean the weird thing is when all this went down with Katie, my mom told my brother to basically sit down and shut up. I wonder what has changed?”
“I have no idea,” Phoenix remarks. “Remember, just because they say you’re wrong, it doesn’t mean you actually are.”
I rub my temples to stop my pounding headache. “I don’t even know what to say. Can we not talk about this for now? I still have to figure out what just happened.”
“For now, it’s forgotten. We have a party to go to, right?”
I let out a shaky breath. “I’m not sure I’m in much of a party mood, but I don’t have a better plan.”
Jessica greets me at the front door with a big hug. “Thank you for coming. I should warn you — Mitch got a little crazy when he started inviting people. I’m still not used to people making a big deal about my birthday — but it is what it is.” Jessica reaches toward Phoenix for a hug. He backs away and adjusts his backpack on his shoulder.
“It’s nice to finally meet you. Thank you for doing so much for Zoe,” Phoenix says as he pulls a small gift from his backpack. “Happy birthday!”
Jessica studies the small rectangular box before she says, “Oooh … you guys didn’t have to do that. Your company is enough. Lord knows, I’m exhausted. I could use some pampering. My kidlet doesn’t seem to know the difference between night and day.”
“So sorry,” I sympathize. “Don’t worry about it — we’re glad to be part of your celebration. Need me to help with anything?”
Jessica giggles. “With this group? Hardly! Mama Rosa, Lenore and my grandma have it all covered. Sit down and make yourself comfortable. There is more food here than we’ll ever eat.”
Phoenix looks at me with his eyes wide. “It’s okay, I’ll figure it out. Ivy’s mom used to be a teacher, she’s used to dietary restrictions,” I murmur softly.
He relaxes slightly. “I should’ve known you would think about me.”
I weave my arms around his neck and kiss him lightly. “Always,” I whisper.
The sound of a throat clearing behind us breaks the romantic moment. I swing around to see Stuart with a goofy grin on his face. “Gee, you get a little busy having a baby and when you reenter life, one of your friends is locking lips with someone you don’t know,” he teases.
My face heats as I flush with embarrassment. “Phoenix Wolf, this is Stuart Eastwood — otherwise known as Dr. Stuart. He’s the vet who owns The Critter Clinic where Dr. Austin works.”
Phoenix reaches his hand out for Stuart to shake. Stuart shuffles the baby around in his arms so he can return the handshake. “Nice to meet you; I’ve heard good things about you. Who’s this little one?” he asks with a friendly grin.
“This tiny princess is Chahani. She clearly has everyone wrapped around her little finger including her big sister, Maya.”
“I’ve met Maya. She’s quite a dog trainer,” Phoenix says as he strokes Bruiser’s ears.
Stuart grins. “She is. Her agility coach can’t believe how quickly she’s progressed. Atlas is a wonder dog.”
Stuart turns toward me, “Mitch tells me you might be moving to Oregon. Is that true?”
“Umm … I don’t know. Phoenix got a great job offer there, but I don’t want to leave Mitch and Jess in a bad situation.”
“Would things look different to you if knew someone who could take over your job?”
“Well, I guess it would depend on if they love animals is much as I do. It would have to be a good match — not that I’m the one in the hiring or anything. But still …”
“I’ve got a guy, Dashonte. He’s worked with me for over a year. He’s probably one of the best people I’ve ever seen come through my clinic. His mom’s health has taken a turn for the worse he could really use a job.”
“What does Mitch think of him?” I ask as I try to tamp down my excitement. What if I had a way out of my dilemma? It would be perfect.
“Mitch has told me many times he would like to steal Dashonte from me if he had an opening.”
“Don’t you need him at The Critter Clinic?” I ask.
“I do. But, I have other volunteers. Dashonte is amazing with the animals. Honestly, it’s a waste of his talent for him to stay with me. I can see him blossoming into an amazing trainer.”
I try to act nonchalant as I comment, “Well I suppose it would be up to Mitch and Jess. Still, I can’t see Mitch turning down a recommendation from
you.”
“What wouldn’t I do?” Mitch asks as he walks over to us. “Stuart and I have been friends for so long he knows there’s not a lot we haven’t gone through together. I’m a little afraid to ask what he’s got me into this time.”
“Hey! I’m innocent. I’m merely trying to solve your staffing problem,” Stuart replies as he holds up his hands in front of his chest in a gesture of protest.
Mitch’s eyebrows climb as he remarks, “I wasn’t aware I had a staffing problem.”
Stuart scrutinizes me before he answers, “Well, you might not have one today — but I think it’ll happen soon. That’s why I suggested that Dashonte come work for you.”
“Awesome, I —” Mitch tries to respond before he’s interrupted by the shrill ring of my cell phone. In order to keep from interrupting the birthday party, I answer the phone as quickly as I can.
“I heard you burned your bridges with Mom and Dad. Now, you have no protection from me,” the voice at the other end of the phone threatens. There is no doubt in my mind. It’s Vincent. My parents must be directly communicating with him. It’s only been a couple of hours since we left their place.
“Vinnie, you have to turn yourself in. Every minute you’re on the run, makes it worse for you.”
“Worse than a conviction?” he scoffs. “She was asking for everything I gave her. You and everyone else should have butted out of our personal relationship. So, don’t stop looking over your shoulder because I will always be there.”
Shock takes over my body in a wave and I drop my phone as my knees collapse and I land on my butt in the grass.
“Darya, come here!” Stuart yells, startling the baby and making her cry. “Grab Tristan and Isaac too.”
Phoenix sits down on the ground behind me and pulls me against his chest. He strokes my hair. “Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay. If it’s your brother, they will get him. You have too many friends who know the ins and outs of law enforcement. He won’t win. I promise.”
Between Chahani’s wailing, and Phoenix and my unusual position in the middle of the yard, we're attracting a bit of attention. Phoenix abruptly stands up and holds his hand out for me. “Let’s go to Hope’s room,” he suggests. “We’ll have more privacy there.”
As we take off to Hope’s Haven to enter the room which has become our refuge from the world, Stuart hands the baby to Maya. “Need you to watch your sister for a minute, your mom and I need to deal with something.”
“Okay Dad,” Maya offers. “Is everything okay with Zoe?” she asks with a confused frown.
Stuart ruffles her hair. “It will be once we sort everything out,” he answers as he motions for Darya, Isaac and Tristan to follow us.
Phoenix enters the room and flips on the light switch. It is unbearably crowded with all of us in the small room. Even so, I’m grateful to Phoenix for the suggestion. I do some of my best thinking and planning in this room. Right now, I seem incapable of doing either. I sink down onto the loveseat and try to collect my thoughts.
Darya sits on the loveseat next to me. “I’ve been out of the loop for a little while; can you fill me in from the top?”
Phoenix pulls his iPad out of his backpack. He glances over at Darya and says, “I’m an incredibly fast typist. I can scribe if you’d like.”
Darya looks surprised but replies, “That would be helpful.”
“How much do you know about what’s going on?”
“Only what I’ve learned from Cody at roll call. He gave the entire force a heads up about your brother being at large.”
“That’s only part of the issue. Before I testified at the trial, Vincent threatened to burn down the place where I work, and burn me alive in it.”
“How … unusual,” Darya comments diplomatically.
I shrug. “Not so much when you consider I am deathly afraid of fire. He knew exactly how to get to me.”
“So, he made verbal threats?” Darya clarifies.
“And more, he actually came on the property at Hope’s Haven at least twice and left objects behind. Once, they were all shaped like tiny campfires.”
“Oh wow! No wonder Cody was concerned about you. So, you testified against him, correct?”
“I did. After that, he escaped from the guards at the trial.”
“I wonder if he knows he’s been convicted,” Darya comments.
I nod. “I know he does. He referred to the verdict while he was threatening me.”
“What did he threaten, specifically?”
“He said he was going to kill me because he has nothing else to lose.”
Phoenix looks up from the iPad and says. “Oh hell no! That’s not acceptable to me. I just found you and I won’t allow him to take you away.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
PHOENIX
I HANG MY JACKET UP in Zoe’s closet. I don’t know why I even bother to keep an apartment. I am here ninety-nine percent of the time. I unbuckle Bruiser’s harness and remove it. He shakes himself out and then crawls into his dog bed. It isn’t long before I hear his soft snores. While Zoe is making herself comfortable, I make her some hot chocolate with marshmallows. I know we’re in Florida, but sometimes you just need comfort food.
As she comes out of her bedroom, she is braiding her hair in a ponytail. I collect her into a hug, still marveling about how natural this feels.
“Did you have fun?” I whisper against her temple.
She nods. “I did. Or I was until my brother called. He put a damper on the whole party. It’s not fair, Jessica deserved to have a happy day and I ruined it for everyone.”
I shake my head vehemently. “You didn’t ruin it. Your scumbag brother did.”
“You’re right,” she acquiesces. “Trust my family to screw up everything in my life. My parents are still on my bank account and I know they'll restrict the money I inherited from my Nona.”
“You know they can’t do that if it’s your money, right?”
She sighs. “I know. But I don’t have any resources to fight them. They know it. So, they can do whatever they want to me and I can’t do anything about it.”
Zoe looks so shattered. The trial and the fight with her parents have obviously taken a toll on her. When we first met, she had a smile at the ready most of the time. These days, I have to practically move heaven and earth to shake her gloomy mood. It’s time for me to step up to the plate as my father would say.
“I’d like to change that,” I confess as I sit down on her loveseat and urge her to join me.
“You’d like to change what?” she questions with a puzzled look.
“I hate that you feel like you need to look over your shoulder to make sure your brother won't attack at any minute. It's awful to be scared to do the things you like to do.”
“I was hoping you wouldn't notice.”
“How can I help it? Every time your phone rings you jump and you watch the news through your splayed fingers. I know you like taking long walks with the dogs, but you’ve been delegating that duty to Devon and me.”
“Do you blame me?” Zoe challenges.
“No! Of course I don’t blame you. I simply wish it wasn’t that way. He shouldn’t be able to destroy your sense of safety.”
“I have no idea what I can do about it. It's become my new normal. My brother is running around loose. I know he has a history of harming people. If I’m honest with myself, it probably goes back to when he was a teenager. The way he reacted to the house fire which killed Lizzie's grandmother was bizarre. In retrospect, I think he probably had something to do with it. If he was capable of that way back then, I hesitate to even think what he’s capable of now.”
“Do you trust me?” I say as I brushed the hair out of her eyes.
“Of course I trust you! You sat beside me every single day I was permitted to stay in the gallery at the trial. If I didn’t trust you, there’s no way I would’ve allowed you to see the ugly side of my life.”
“See? That’s just the thing.
Before I met you, I used to have all sorts of ugly sides to my life. But, you have smoothed down those edges and helped me fit into life. Because of you, my life is less ugly.”
Zoe looks at me skeptically, “I don’t know if that’s true. I think your parents aren’t happy with our relationship. I turned what was a supportive relationship into one filled with anger. I’m not sure I'm actually making your life less ugly.”
I thread my fingers through hers as I pause to gather my thoughts. “I know it seems like it on the outside because my parents are quick to pin the blame on our relationship, but that’s not really what’s going on. This began years ago when I first started working for Tristan. Before then, my parents were responsible for any progress I made. They monitored it, measured it and celebrated it. After I went to college and got my degree, they didn’t have much say over my life anymore. I think the fact that you are my girlfriend has crumbled the last bit of hope they had that our relationship would be the same parent-child dynamic it’s always been.”
Zoe smirks at me. “I’m not real great at big words, but did you just tell me being with me helped you grow up?”
“In a weird way, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I had all the trappings of being a successful millennial. I had a great job, an apartment and a dog. From the outside, everything looked okay. But on the inside, I was still living with the limitations I had put on myself or allowed others to place on me.”
“Phoenix, I didn’t somehow miraculously fix you. Your Asperger’s syndrome is still there. It just doesn’t matter all that much to me.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Honestly, some days it bothers me more than others. Yeah, it’s frustrating when you can’t meet my gaze during a conversation or when you don’t understand the context of a situation. But, you’re not the only person who has issues in this relationship.”
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