Page 13 of Precious Legacy

There it is.The real reason she was lingering nearby. She’s always been Alanis’ biggest fan—probably because they’re so similar—so it’s no surprise she would bring her up now that she knows I’m back for good.

“Yeah,” I reply, still trying to keep my cool over what happened earlier.

“And?” She grins excitedly, rubbing her palms together. I don’t know what she’s expecting, but I can assure you telling her that I broke into Alanis’ apartment to fuck her with her gun is probably not it.

“Sloan,” my dad warns as if he can sense my reluctance, playfully tugging her hair. “It’s none of our business.” The way his eyes darken makes me shift uncomfortably, and when Mom gasps, I instantly take that as my cue to leave. They deserve happiness and I've grown comfortable enough with their interactions that I barely register it anymore, but nobody wants to see their parents making out, no matter how comfortable I am with their displays of affection. Some things you just don’t need to witness.

Pushing up from my seat, I place my mug on the coffee table.

“Where’re you goin’?” Mom frowns.

“I love you guys, but I don’t need to see what happens next,” I mutter, gesturing between them.

Mom blushes, but dad is wearing a look I don’t want to decipher.

“You could stay for dinner?” she suggests.

“I’ve got some errands to run right now,” I reply, checking my watch. I need to get back to the city to meet with Alvaro andHaldon. Now that Dad’s pretty much given me his approval to run with this fight club idea, I need to set the rest of the wheels in motion. Starting with finding a venue for our first fight night.

I look up to see mom’s face etched in disappointment. Never wanting to hurt her feelings, I lean down and press a kiss to her cheek. “What time is dinner?”

Her eyes light up as she jumps out of Dad’s lap, wrapping me in another suffocating hug. “Seven o’clock!”

SEVEN

I’ve always been headstrong, doing whatever I’ve wanted, whenever I’ve wanted to. Well, within reason. It’s why I’m confused that I’m suddenly second guessing myself over joining the academy. I know I already made the decision as soon as I signed on the bottom line. My reasons are more than sufficient, my motivations typical of someone who wants to do good in the world. Yet the thought of how this might affect my family still lingers in the back of my mind, festering like an untreated wound.

After my talk with Haven yesterday, I decided on one thing—talking to Lexie. She understands me more than my twin does, which is saying something. But she’s always given me sound advice, especially when I couldn’t really go to my mom. She’s like the older sister I wish I had, which means I find it easier to talk to her about the more difficult things in my life.

“So, come on,” Lexie nudges me with her foot. “What did you want to talk to me about? Because I know it wasn’t just to get drunk with your aunt. Spill!”

I stall by finishing the rest of my glass of wine that I’ve been nursing for the better part of half an hour on her couch. I can seewhy she chose to live here instead of the apartment I inherited from her—the views are amazing. The gentle sparkle of the city lights and the reflection of the Brooklyn Bridge dancing on the water is mesmerizing. The only view I have from my apartment is the overflowing trash cans scattered across the pavement.

So far, I’ve managed to keep the conversation on the topic of bikes, since we share that passion. We’ve discussed riding out together while skating around the subject of Roman’s return, and though I know she’s eager to find out what’s going on there, I’m not ready to address it just yet.

Reaching out for the fresh bottle of wine on the coffee table, I pour myself another glass as Lexie laughs.

“That bad, huh?”

I shake my head with a smile. It’s really notthatbad; I just need to blurt it out and go from there.

Grow some balls, Lani.

Lexie leans forward and rests her hand on mine. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

I smile back at her. In a way, we’re quite similar. Our morals are in the right place, seeking justice for the city. We’re both brash and straight to the point. If we want something, we go out and get it. We’re not damsels in distress, we’re the goddamn cavalry. It’s a shame she’s had to deal with a lot of bullshit from the NYPD, especially after she was promoted to Sergeant. I don’t know everything that happened, but five years ago she decided to hang up her badge and gun, trading a life of chasing criminals for settling down with one.Oh, the irony.

I can’t help but wonder if that’s how my life will turn out, too. As much as I’d like to forget about Roman entirely, we still have unresolved issues. The last thing I want to do is get into it with him again, but the possibility that I might end up like my Aunt Lexie haunts me. Maybe one day I’ll end up in herposition, forced to choose between the family I was born into and the one I made.

“Why did you decide to leave the NYPD?” I ask, my eyes narrowing in consideration. It’s not something I’ve ever felt the need to pry about, but the more I focus on my own career, the more I need to know what I might be up against.

Lexie gulps back a mouthful of wine before responding. “I suppose… for many reasons.”

“Because of Uncle Trigger?”

“What?” She laughs incredulously. “No!”

“Then what was it?” I frown.

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