“Yes, it will,” Farrah said evenly, “if you treat her like a victim. Mercy is strong. She’s had to be. She’s survived things that we can never understand. I’ve known her for eight years and Karl has the right approach. We need to be strong for her. Do not pity her.”

Rafe remembered the way her body had shaken with the force of her sobs. “She’s not that strong,” he murmured. “Nobody is.” He grabbed his cane and eased his body to standing. “I’m going to check on her. Does Gideon know?”

Karl nodded. “I called him. He . . . didn’t take it well.”

“We’ll help them through this, Dad,” Sasha declared. “Tell her we love her, Rafe. She’s family.”

“I will.”

GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 11:00 P.M.

“Here, doragaya maya.” Irina placed a cup of hot tea in Mercy’s clammy hands. “Sip it. Slowly.”

Sitting on the bathroom floor, Mercy obeyed. “Thank you. You’re very kind and I’m very sorry.”

“Bah.” Irina waved her apology away. “I’d be sick too, if I heard that kind of news.”

Irina’s direct approach was almost identical to Mama Romero’s—and just what Mercy needed at the moment. “How bad is the article?”

Irina shrugged. “It’s not good. The reporter quoted your neighbors, who said nice things, but those were overshadowed by the quotes from the two men. And the video, of course. Which none of us viewed, nor will we.”

Mercy sighed as she sipped the tea. “Thank you for not sugarcoating it.”

“I was a nurse for almost thirty years. I do not sugarcoat. Unless it is dessert.” Irina sat on the edge of the tub, studying Mercy as she pulled a package of crackers from her pocket. “You look better. Try to eat these.”

“I’m sorry I missed your dinner.”

Irina pushed Mercy’s hair from her damp forehead. “Shush, Mercy. We are family here. You do what you must to take care of yourself. Not to worry about hurting our feelings.”

The woman’s accent became thicker when she was in caregiver mode. Just like Mama Romero’s did. “Gideon is lucky to have you.”

Again, a shrug. “I do not know about that. But we have loved and supported him through his trials. You are now lucky as well. You have us, too.”

“Thank you. Mama Romero has loved me through many trials, so I’m doubly lucky.”

“I’m glad. Gideon worried that you were alone.” Irina cupped Mercy’s cheek in her palm, her expression tender. “You are a good girl, Mercy. We will find a way to make you shine like a new penny by the end of this. These men who hurt you will be sorry.”

Mercy wasn’t so sure about any of those statements. “The police took my case seriously back then. I hope they’ll be supportive now as well. I was never wild in college, which helped me then. That shouldn’t have been a factor, but it was.”