Page 204 of Drown My Sorrow

One word that says everything.

He holds me tighter, weeping into my shoulder.

I wrote him a letter. I explained everything that happened in detail about why I left. All the words I couldn’t say in person I let flow onto the page. Aspyn helped me write it.

She said the answer I needed would only be found when the fences were mended. I’m not sure what that means, but I know I want my family back.

My mother wiggles into our hug, crying. I lift my arm, hugging her as well. Sol and Wayne wait their turn, but I can feel the happiness radiating out of them.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter.

“No, son, I’m sorry. We should have stopped him when we could have.”

“Hush,” my mother says. “It’s okay. We’re okay now.”

The packs slowly come out of the house. Kit, Callan, Wren, and Ryann joining Raider. Erin pulls Locke into a hug while Shane, Finn, and Bray close in around them.

Ianto, Zaden, Mills, Valen, and Ranger retrieve Lia. Tyr, Ryn, Envy, Digs, and Mako stand on the porch with Bethany, Saint, Crow, and Hunter.

Daane, Mogel, Bradley, Mirakill, Fate, and Crow.

“There is no pack Raines,” I murmur.

My father glances back and then looks at me, and I can see something bright and excited in his eyes. “About that…I have an idea.”

Chapter fifty-three

Ezy

EzyAged31

My parents are dead, and I’ve inherited their vast fortune. I thought I’d been ousted from public record, but apparently not. I listen to the man rattle off all my vast estate and the immense sums I now have available.

“You need to come back and sign this paperwork.”

I nod. “I’ll come.” There is no choice. I have to go back, even if it’s just this once.

The video call ends, and I sit back feeling bitterly sad that my parents couldn’t just love me for who I am.

Ezekial Boothe is now one of the richest people in the world. I wonder what Gael and Kelly will think.

“I need to go back for a couple of days,” I explain to Kelly.

He doesn’t move from where he’s lying on the bed, except to grab the bottle of bourbon and drink before setting it back on the bedside table.

“I’m coming back.”

No answer.

It’s hard to leave him, but I need to do this. It will help all of us in the long run.

Gael grips my shoulder when I get to the lobby.

“I’ve got him. Go do whatever you need to do. We’ll celebrate Ryn’s debut and then head to Black Valley for the meet.”

It all sounds so simple, but why does it feel like everything is changing?

PresentDay

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