Page 50 of Ace of Spades

Blinking at her daughter asleep in my arms. Then as if she suddenly woke up, she pushes her hair out of her eyes and bends down to give her a kiss on the cheek.

“Momma’s gonna get better, okay Josie girl,” she whispers. “I’m gonna get better.”

If I wasn’t so damned pissed, I might feel something. But in the moment, I can only hope that her words are true.

“She can stay with me as long as she needs to,” I tell her.

Evie nods, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I”m not taking her away from you, Evie. I’m giving you space to get clean. Do you understand me?”

She nods again. The broken woman in front of me isn’t the same girl I fell in love with in high school. She’s the shell of someone that I used to know.

“Goodnight, Evie.”

I make my way down the stairs.

Matt is already back on the couch, passed out with an empty bottle of whiskey hanging from his hand and touching the floor.

I hope Evie gets help. But even if she does. Even if she manages to stay clean.

Josie can’t stay here.

I’ll make sure of it.

Chapter13

Sienna

"Wait… I don't get it."

Julian pulls the blanket over his legs and throws his arms over the back of the couch as he watches me pour popcorn into a bowl.

"What's so hard to understand? Obviously, I need to prove myself to Levi, but in the meantime, I can at least win over the respect of the crew. I take it they’re not too keen on outsiders here.”

“Right. So how is spending the night in an old, haunted lighthouse supposed to prove anything?”

“According to Big Mike and Rooster, that’s how it’s done here.”

"Big Mike and Rooster? Is that… a band?”

“No, J. They’re like local legends or something.”

Julian just looks at me, still confused.

“Theo introduced them.”

Julian laughs.

“Well look at you, getting in with the locals, cuz. I’d say you’re welcome, but I can’t take all the credit. Looks like you’re finally coming out of your shell. Probably helps that your daddy owns the entire island.”

“He doesn’t own the entire island,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Besides, people can’t know about that. It’s not like we’ve confirmed it.”

“He gave you a job, Sienna. If he’s trying to keep it a secret, that’s not something one would do.”

“Maybe. But look, it’s already hard enough being the new girl in town. I just don’t want people to resent me because I’m Brody King’s daughter. Besides, he hasn’t spoken to me since giving me the job,” I mutter that last part.

“Maybe he’s still in shock. Hell, I know I’d be if somebody just knocked on my door claiming to be my kid.”

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