Rafe was watching her thoughtfully. “I wonder if the Feds have checked for marijuana crops in their search for Eden.”

Mercy shrugged. “I don’t know, but I doubt that Eden grows it anymore. We moved after Gideon’s escape and left the fields behind. Someone might have gone back to harvest it later, but that wasn’t something that the regular members knew much about.”

“They might have a new cash crop now, though.” Rafe had his phone out and was texting. “I’m letting Gideon know that you’re okay and asking if he knows anything about the ways the community made money. It might give us a lead to their location.”

Mercy sipped the tea, watching him, waiting until he’d put his phone away. “Or you could ask me.”

Rafe looked uncomfortable. “Is that okay? I mean, to ask you to remember?”

“It will have to be okay,” Mercy said firmly. “I want to help find them.”

“Then we’ll start there,” Rafe said, his mouth curving into the smile that warmed her heart. “I’m proud of you, Mercedes.”

She shot him a glare. “I wish I hadn’t told you my name.”

Irina’s brows lifted. “Why? What is wrong with Mercedes? It’s a lovely name.”

Mercy huffed her displeasure, but Rafe’s smile only grew. “My bio-dad’s last name was Benz,” she explained.

Irina snorted. “That will remain our secret, yes?”

“No,” Sasha said from behind Rafe. “Because it’s comedy gold.” She pushed Rafe over so that she could see into the bathroom. “That’s not special tea, is it, Mom?”

Mercy laughed. “No. We’ve already been down that road.”

“And I missed it.” Sasha exhaled a put-upon sigh. “We were worried about you, kiddo. You want to come back and talk about this now?”

No. “Okay,” Mercy murmured and took the hand Irina offered, rising from the floor, which had been blessedly cool against her heated skin.

“Nobody in our family saw the video,” Rafe said soberly. “We won’t do that to you.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Irina gripped her chin, staring hard into her eyes. “You did nothing wrong. Repeat that, Mercy Callahan.”

“I did nothing wrong,” she said quietly.

“Again,” Irina demanded. “I believe you. I want to know that you believe you.”

She’s right, Mercy thought. Borrowing some of the older woman’s strength, she straightened to her full height. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” she said firmly.

“Better,” Irina said with a sniff. “Still not what I want to hear, but better.” She dropped Mercy’s chin, set the mug on the sink vanity, and grasped both of her hands. “You are not alone, Mercy, even if you might feel that way.”

Mercy’s smile was rueful. “I know I’m not alone. But it’s different when it’s you. Me, I mean.”

Irina tilted her head, going silent for such a long moment that Mercy began to fidget. The older woman turned her gaze to her children. “I know,” she finally murmured.

There was a moment of absolute silence as the full meaning of her words sank in. Then Sasha gasped audibly. “What?”