“I may be the only person on this deck who’s not related to Ana’s baby,” I said, “but that baby and I have an awful lot in common.”

I thought back to my conversation in the cemetery with Lillian—and everything I hadn’t been able to put into words. I wasn’t sure how many of my secrets Campbell had let slip to Walker, let alone Victoria, but at the moment, I wasn’t sure I cared.

“Right now, the ‘I Owe My Entire Existence to a Stupid Teenage Pregnancy Pact’ Club has a membership of one,” I continued, like I was ripping off a bandage. “If any of you know what it’s like to be the result of a planned, adulterous, underage pregnancy that’s done a total number on your sense of self, parental relationships, and understanding of the universe, I’d be happy to chat. But otherwise . . .” I crossed the deck and took a seat at the table. “I think I have at least as much reason to be here as someone looking for their great-niece or long-lost cousin.”

Victoria didn’t say anything about the great-niece comment, but Boone did try for another compliment, which didn’t bear repeating.

I ignored him in favor of Victoria. “You were saying that Ana wants to see your father?”

“My father has . . .” Victoria considered her words. “. . . favorites. Favorite sons, favorite grandchildren. Back in the day, I’ve gathered that was Ana. Her mother’s a Swedish socialite who’s very good at playing to my father’s ego. I guess Ana was, too.”

“And then she got pregnant,” I said flatly.

“She didn’t come to him for help.” Victoria gave a little shrug. “And she didn’t ask for his forgiveness.”

Why would she? Delving into Gutierrez family dynamics wasn’t my top priority at the moment, but still, the question lingered.

“I might be able to get my father to talk to her,” Victoria said. “But we can’t count on it. It might be easier to find someone else Ana would talk to.”

“Like who?” Campbell asked, coming to sit on top of the wrought-iron table, right between Victoria and her brother.

Walker was the one who replied. “Lily,” he said softly.

I stared at him. “Are you kidding me? You’re actually sitting there considering asking Lily to talk to her father’s mistress?” That was the single worst plan I’d ever heard. “What the hell is wrong with you, Walker?”

Do you not care about her at all?

“She’s the one who broke up with me,” Walker told me quietly. “I’m not the bad guy here.”

Victoria laid her hand on the table, close enough to his that they almost touched. “Neither is she.” She allowed her eyes to meet mine. “Asking Lily to talk to Ana is out. What does that leave us with?”