He relented, reaching for his jacket and Dodgers cap. “I’ll be back later with breakfast tacos. If you need anything, call me.” He leaned down and kissed her gently on the head. “Trust me, the worst is over,” he said as he slipped out of the room.

Rafi couldn’t know how wrong he was. The worst was still out there, lurking, plotting, manipulating, ruining lives with every breath she took. Becca collapsed into the chair beside Ash, and carefully adjusted the railing on the hospital bed. She held Ash’s hand, feeling the warmth, willing her to open her eyes. The hum of the machines and the warmth of the room were like a sedative, Becca’s eyes flickering closed. Her cell phone buzzed and she jolted awake, fumbling through her purse. She eyed the unknown number on the caller ID, praying it was Wishard calling with news. “Hello, this is Dr. Ortiz,” Becca said.

She heard sobbing on the other end, almost a desperate wail. “Hello? Who is this? Hello?” she called out.

“Doc, I fucked up. I’m so sorry,” Raya whimpered.

“Raya, what is it? What’s wrong?” Becca asked.

Raya was silent and then: “I’m afraid Raya’s a bit incapacitated right now.”

Becca froze. Mo. It was Mo on the other end, her voice unmistakable, that lilting, taunting voice. “I told Raya she should be more careful with the company she keeps.”

“I could say the same about you,” Becca snapped, instantly regretting the knee-jerk reaction. Keep it together. Don’t push her buttons. Don’t give her a reason to hurt Raya.

“I’m sorry, Mo. I really am. Is she okay? Is Raya okay?”

“For now. It’s a shame it came to this. The good news is you have the opportunity to fix the mess you’ve made.”

The mess I made. Becca counted to five, biting back the fury she felt. “What do you want?” she asked.

“I was expecting a little more back-and-forth. I do appreciate a direct approach. Here’s the deal. You bring Nate to me, and we can make a trade.”

Of course she wanted Nate. This was all a game to Mo, these kids were her chess pieces, and she moved them about as she saw fit. “Don’t you think Nate’s suffered enough? What more could you possibly want from him?” Becca asked.

“He’s my family, Dr. Ortiz. You don’t walk away from family. Now this isn’t a negotiation. Nate knows where to find me. I’m sure this goes without saying, but no police. Raya and I will be here waiting,” Mo said.

Then the line went dead.

BECCA

BECCA