Page 73 of Hard Game

“Because you’re back before me, and he wants you to go straight to his office. No pencil pushing.” I open my mouth to argue when he chuckles. “Yeah, told you it sounds promising.”

I stiffen and grip the steering wheel, wondering if there’s a chance I’ve got my job back. I was relieved I didn’t have to stay off work for six weeks as Carmen told me to, in light of everything that had come to light about her and many others. I still had to wait for a full investigation to take place to prove I had no part in any of her wickedness, but all they knew was that I had been taken against my will by the gang. There had been no mention of Maddox so far.

“Diess, you there?”

I hum in response, and Elijah sighs.

“It’s finally over, huh?”

“Is it?” I say, shrugging my shoulders even though he isn’t there to benefit from the action. “It feels like it’s still ongoing. Sara won’t ever be laid to rest, Carmen is dead, and so are countless others. You’re still recovering from nearly dying that day, Elijah. Alastor has disappeared off the face of the earth. How can we get justice for all of those victims now?” I shake my head bitterly.

I know that Maddox disposed of Alastor; of that, I’ve no doubt. But that’s between him and me; no one needs to know about it, not even Elijah. I’m keeping a ghost’s secret, but he killed the man who abused me. He didn’t have to, but he did, and for that, I guess I feel like I owe him.

“Sometimes justice isn’t given in a courtroom, Diess.”

“Vigilante justice isn’t justice, Elijah,” I remind him, aware of how hypocritical I am. But Elijah knew about Taron—he didn’t need more guilt on his shoulders.

“Who said anything about vigilantes? For all we know, the City Hall had faulty electricity.” He chuckles, and I roll my eyes, refusing to have this discussion with him. “Anyway, have you heard from him?”

I clear my throat again, but it does nothing to dislodge the lump that sits heavily there. “Who?”

“Diess...”

I know he’s talking about Maddox, but fuck it. I remain silent until Elijah sighs.

“Fine. Be this way. But you’ve got to talk to someone about everything that happened at some point.”

“I’m turning off for my father’s town now,” I say, needing to avoid this conversation at all costs. “I’ll call you when I’m back, okay? Take care of yourself.”

Elijah snorts. “I can’t do much else. Good luck with your dad.”

I end the call, exhaling heavily. I hadn’t told anyone about the rape, and the only person that knows has disappeared from the face of the earth. I should feel relieved, but I can’t, I don’t. I wish I could see Maddox again, even if it’s only one last time. I’d tell him that if he was responsible for burning the City Hall down, he did what he felt was right and still managed to save innocent people. But I’d still tell him he wasn’t God and didn’t have the right to serve justice however he saw fit.

I’d also thank him for making me feel the way he did. For letting me imagine life far beyond the cage, we’d stood in when I felt like all help was lost. To thank him for never making me feel like a victim. For saving all of those women.

For caring and believing me when no one else did.

For giving my father and me closure for Sara.

I blink fresh tears and smile, hating how divided I feel. If it wasn’t for Maddox Moreno, or whoever he was, I’d still wonder if my sister was alive. I’d still be trying to crack the Lockwood Ring, and I’d quite possibly be dead without him.

“Thanks, Maddox, wherever you are,” I whisper into the silence, wishing he could hear me. Hopefully, he’ll go back to his old life with his family. Maybe he’ll settle down and have a family.

Just not with me.

But that’s okay because I’m hoping I’ve got my job back, and there’s more I can do to help families like mine, who are always wondering what if and if only. That’s my life now. Even though I have to ignore the dull ache in my heart and the way my stomach twists at the thought of never having anything with Maddox. Because we’re too different.

This is the way it has to be.

40

LAUREN

“Welcome back, Detective Diess.”

My lips tilt at his words, and my chest fills with euphoria.

Craig Morgan is in his fifties and has a round face that lights up when he smiles, a full white beard, and a twinkle in his eye, reminding me of Santa Claus. Maybe he is magical because he’s just given me my job back.

---