“You just want to give it to my dad?” Carly’s eyes are wide.

“Yeah,” Miles says with a decisive nod. “We don’t need it. Have you seen the size of this place?” He waves his hand around the huge kitchen. “Besides, we don’t want something that shouldn’t be ours.”

Carly shakes her head, but not in answer to Miles’ question. “My dad won’t take it. He’ll think it’s charity.”

“We’re just trying to make things right,” Chance says. “The three of us aren’t our father.”

“I know that,” she says. “I’ve always known that. It’s why I’m going home. He’ll understand eventually, and this gesture may help.”

“I’ll have the papers by tomorrow,” Chance says, “if Austin here agrees.”

“Of course, I agree.” I trail my finger over Carly’s forearm.

“It’s settled, then.” Chance shoves a forkful of food into his mouth.

Carly smiles at me.

And for that single moment, all is right in this fucked-up world, if I don’t think of the mysterious dead body that was uncovered, my mom in the hospital, my woman’s dad hating my guts, the EPA after us, and…

Yeah, never mind.

27

CARLY

Austin stands at the door of my parents’ house with me, holding both my hands in his. “You sure you don’t want me to come in with you?” he asks.

“Yes and no,” I reply. It’s not the first time I’ve ever felt nervous walking into my own home. But in the past few days, I’m not who I used to be. It’s laughable since I was gone for over three years. That changed me, definitely, but this time, it’s my choice.

My decisions that are changing the course of my life. They aren’t what my parents want, but what I do.

He lowers his head, presses his lips against mine. “I understand.”

“I need to do this alone.” I hold his hand, clinging to him in contrast to my words. “Although I would love it if you could come in with me. I mean, how else will he find out how awesome you are except by giving you a chance?”

“Yeah, well, he’s not really interested in giving me a chance. At least not yet. How about you go solo tonight with them tonight? Baby steps.”

He’s probably right, but dad also has to give me a chance.

“He’ll come around. My father is a good man, Austin. Unfortunately, you haven’t seen the best side of him.”

My mind wanders to what my father told me—that Jonathan Bridger may have had a hand in my abduction. That’s huge. Crazy serious and will impact Austin and his brothers.

Except that’s not something I can burden Austin with, at least not yet. Not until I find out whether it’s true or not, and maybe not even then. Austin is not his father, and he shouldn’t have to live with what his father may have done. Same goes for Miles and Chance.